Assistant Public Defender

WIND RIVER INTER-TRIBAL COUNCIL

HUMAN RESOURCE OFFICE

15 NORTH FORK ROAD

P. O. BOX 217

(307) 335-2046 FAX: 307-332-5015

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Assistant Public Defender - Public Defender Office

POSITION:

SALARY:

$62,004.80

PAY:

$29.81 an hour

SUPERVISOR:

The incumbent is under the general supervision of the Public Defender.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Incumbent has a high degree of personal responsibility for sound, independent judgment and for decisions concerning the total scope of the public defender program.

JUDICIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Nature of Work: Most of the work is performed in an office environment during office hours. This position requires some travel to attend meetings and/or to meet with other personnel.

• Personal Contacts: Required daily contact with other court personnel to prepare for assigned court hearings. Other contacts include attorneys, judges, clerks and others involved in the judicial process.
• Supervision Received: The supervisor assigns projects and provides general instructions on methods and procedures to be followed. Incumbent develops detailed work plans for day-to-day activities and completes most work independently. Results are reviewed for technical adequacy and overall quality of work.

Essential Function: This position is responsible for defending cases in accordance with the Shoshone and Arapaho Tribal Law and Order Code. Decisions require analyzing specific cases and filing the appropriate charges and making recommendations regarding sentencing.

This position handles sensitive information and strict confidentiality must be maintained.

HUMAN CONTACT SKILL:

Contacts with the public are frequent and often under circumstances of stress involving uncooperative or hostile individuals. Requires knowledge and application of appropriate oral communication and human relations techniques.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: NONE

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ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Duties to be assigned by Public Defender:

Will represent adult and juvenile defendants charged with violations of the Shoshone and Arapaho Law and Order Code, upon the assignment of the Public Defender.

This will occur until there is a finding of guilt or innocence.

Must be available on short notice for arraignments,

Assist the Public Defender in other matters when requested.

The Deputy Public Defender will also act as Guardian Ad Litem in minor-in-need-of-care

cases.

The Deputy Public Defender may be assigned involuntary commitments for persons needing treatment or the serious mentally ill and represents the individual in hearings

• Interviews victims, witnesses, police officers, State, Federal and tribal agencies in preparation for defense of cases before a judge.
• Prepares for trial, preliminary hearings, plea bargaining sessions, hearings, arraignments and sentencing.

Works closely with Legal Services, Bureau of Indian Affairs Law Enforcement, tribal social service programs, tribal, federal, state probation officers, juvenile probation officers; and other federal, state, county and city law enforcement services.

Attends training, keeping up-to-date on tribal cases affecting the Shoshone and Arapaho Tribes.

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Must have at least (5) years of experience.

Must have experience with tribal courts and the enforcement of laws. Must have excellent written and oral communication skills, with experience in writing a variant of court related documents. Must have knowledge and understanding of courtroom procedures.

• Ability to read, analyze and interpret the most complex documents. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.

SPECIAL CONDITION:

To be eligible to serve as a deputy prosecutor at the Tribal Court a person must:

Be at least 25 years of age and of good moral character.

Never been convicted of a felony crime.

Has not been convicted of a misdemeanor crime within a one (1) year of applying for a position.

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Must possess a valid State of Wyoming Driver's License.

Has not received a dishonorable discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

Has successfully completed an examination covering the laws of the Shoshone and Arapaho Tribes of the Wind River Indian Reservation, Wyoming.

Has successfully completed training for the position as a public defender.

Must be able to pass a background check.

Must pass a drug test prior to employment.

• Knowledge of Tribal and Federal laws applicable to the Tribal Court. Excellent oral and written communications skills.

Knowledge and understanding of courtroom procedures.

Will be subject to a work environment with a high area of flow in court documents. Incumbents must have the ability to effectively prioritize and manage multiple tasks with little or no supervision at times.

Must be dependable in following through on work assignments and be dependable and reliable in attendance and productivity.

Must deal with the public and staff in a positive and objective manner and maintain the utmost confidentiality with court documents, An employee found to be in breach of confidentiality will be subject to grounds for disciplinary action and/or termination.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

INDIAN PREFERENCE:

Preference will be given to qualified candidates of either the Eastern Shoshone Tribe or Northern Arapaho Tribe, followed by qualified members of other federally recognized tribes, and then other qualified applicants.

TO APPLY: Persons interested in this position should submit a completed Wind River Inter-Tribal employment application, resume, supporting documentation that must include the dates of previous employment, last supervisor, reason for leaving, and hourly rate, and contract information for previous employer, if applicable, Supporting documentation includes a valid driver's license, High School diploma, GED/HISet certificate, Tribal ID for Indian Preference, and any other professional credentials to the Human Resources Office located at 15 North Fork Road, Fort Washakie, WY or email to HR@writc.org.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $29.81 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person