Clerk of the Court & Judicial Law Clerk

The Clerk of Court is a supervisory administrative position of the Tribal Court of Wilton Rancheria. The Judicial Law Clerk provides a variety of legal advice, counseling, research, and related legal services in support of the overall operation of the Wilton Rancheria Judicial Branch. This position combines the responsibilities of both roles.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assists with judicial administrative functions, such as recommending policy changes and improvements for overall Judicial Branch; shall supervise and oversee all licensed attorneys, law clerks, associate judges, traditional panel members, court clerks, law clerk interns of the Judicial Branch.
• Performs legal research, analysis and writing in such matters as statutes, recorded judicial decisions, legal articles, treaties, constitutions, and legal codes.
• Assists in drafting opinions, concurrences and dissents, orders, calendar notices and decisions.
• Confers with the Appellate Panel and Traditional Court judges on pending matters.
• Observes judicial proceedings, attends conferences with attorneys and judges.
• Prepares the courtroom for the day’s cases.
• Assures that all parties involved in the day’s proceedings are present.
• Develops guides and tools for the court such as bench guides and manuals.
• Acts as law librarian, keeping and monitoring published tribal court decisions and legal volumes and ensuring legal volumes are up to date.
• Identifies and implements judicial and related training programs.
• Provides legal education to judges; oversees, conducts and/or assesses effectiveness of programs.
• Provides advice and assistance in a variety of areas, including, but not limited to, employment matters, policy issues and impact of legislation on existing procedures and others.
• Participates in strategic, executive and system planning efforts.
• Works with several committees, organizations, and individuals within and outside the Judicial Branch on court-related issues, matters and concerns.
• Provides information and assistance about court matters.
• Coordinates court calendar, case management and maintains the tribal bar roster.
• Maintains records of all Tribal Court proceedings.
• Maintains all pleadings, documents, and other materials filed with the Tribal Court and distribute all necessary and appropriate documents.
• Prepares for and assist the judges in all court sessions, including notifications to parties, make necessary facility accommodations and arrange for a court reporter and bailiffs.
• Maintains all evidentiary materials, transcripts, and records of testimony filed with the Tribal Court.
• Enters, under the direction of the Tribal Court, all orders, judgments, and decrees required to be entered.
• Collects fines, fees and other monies imposed or charged by the Tribal Court.
• Prepares and serve writs and processes, rulings, findings, opinions, and orders as prescribed by the Code and as may be designated by the Judges of the Tribal Court.
• Assists persons in the drafting and execution of form complaints, petitions, answers, motions, develop user friendly forms and other pleadings and documents for proceedings before the Tribal Court.
• Administers oaths and witness execution of documents.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Language Skills: Employee must demonstrate the ability to interact tactfully and positively with Tribal members, all levels of staff and management. Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality. Ability to read, analyze and interpret common professional journals, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from staff and regulatory agencies. Ability to write reports and business correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions. Ability to effectively present information to management, employees, and groups of people. Ability to advocate on behalf of the tribe in a variety of settings.
• Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Law degree (Juris Doctor) from an accredited Law School (required).
• Knowledge of Tribal communities, specifically the Wilton Rancheria Tribal community (preferred).
• Possession of a valid driver’s license, transportation, and insurance (required).
• Must pass a background security check prior to employment.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screen and random drug tests as requested over course of employment.
• Must be able to work evening hours and weekends on occasion.

HOW TO APPLY:

All applicants will need to apply through Indeed and include the following documents:

• Letter of interest
• Resume
• Two Professional Reference letters
• Supporting documents (certificates, degrees, licenses) and
• Proof of native preference eligibility (Status Card or letter)

Applicants must clearly outline that they meet the qualification requirements on their Letter of Interest.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $68,000.00 – $78,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

COVID-19 considerations:
Due to COVID-19, our office is currently closed to the public. Our staff has been placed on a staggered schedule in order to reduce the amount of people in the office at the same time. When staff is present in the office, masks are mandatory.

Education:

• Doctorate (Required)

This Company Describes Its Culture as:

• Detail-oriented — quality and precision-focused
• Outcome-oriented — results-focused with strong performance culture
• Stable — traditional, stable, strong processes
• People-oriented — supportive and fairness-focused
• Team-oriented — cooperative and collaborative

Benefit Conditions:

• Waiting period may apply
• Only full-time employees eligible

Work Remotely:

• Temporarily due to COVID-19