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Job Title: Tribal Court Program Specialist
Location: Los Angeless, California      

The Tribal Law and Policy Institute is a non-profit organization that specializes in providing training, technical assistance, resource development and other services to enhance tribal justice systems across the nation. The Program Legal Specialist is an exempt, full time position. Responsibilities will include a wide range of duties related to current grant projects but will primarily focus on two grants funded by the United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance:

1. Tribal Drug Courts (Wellness Courts) Training and Technical  Assistance project designed to help tribal governments enhance tribal justice services and;
2. Collaborative Promising Practices and Curricula development.

Salary depends on qualifications and available funding. Excellent benefits package, including health/dental/vision and retirement. 

Primary Duties:
The Program Specialist must be a self-starter who is able to complete tasks with limited oversight, but also willing to seek guidance and consult regularly with the Executive Director and collaborating partners. Responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to:

• Project Manager for specific projects:
• Responsible for ensuring that these projects meet project time task plans and grant reporting deadlines on Grants Management System (GMS)
  1. Key contact for project meetings and conference calls, ensuring that meeting notes and follow up items are being completed
  2. Delivery of project goals as set forth by grant proposals
  3. Maintaining communication of project specifics with TLPI staff, board and consultants
  4. Coordination and supervision of consultant project tasks
  5. Coordination of Training and Technical Assistance services
  6. Maintenance of assessment tool and assessment reporting
  7. Interacts with funding agency and grant manager, as needed 
• Coordinates financial needs of project with Administrative Manager.
• Executes and coordinates Technical Assistance trainings with consultants and partners
• Development of resources and training materials, including curriculum, power point presentations, brochures, and other written materials for use in education and technical assistance trainings with Tribal nations and organizations
• Generates ideas for potential projects, funding opportunities, and flat rate contracts
• Writes grant proposals and grant reports, as necessary

Supervisory Responsibilities:
Shared supervisory authority over Program Assistants and Administrative Manager.

Education and/or Experience:

• Required: Master’s degree (M.A.) in Public Administration, Public Policy, or other applicable advanced degree; previous experience with American Indian and Alaska Native justice issues a must; background in training and technical assistance; experience providing programming for tribal audiences; substantial experience (three + years) with American Indian/Alaska Native Tribal Court systems, including Tribal adult, juvenile, and/or family drug courts (wellness courts). Experience in program assessment.
• Strongly preferred: Juris Doctorate; Minimum of three (3) years of direct service experience working with Tribal communities and federal agencies. Tribal Wellness Court experience a plus. 

Language/Writing Skills:

• Required: Must possess strong written communication skills, including excellent grammar, spelling and proofreading skills. 
• Preferred: Experience in development of training materials, including training manuals, compilation of research, grant and other types of reports, power point presentations and basic business correspondence. Ability to read and interpret documents such as statutes, law enforcement reports, government or agency regulations and case law.

Communication/Presentation Skills:

• Required: Must possess strong oral communication skills. Demonstrated ability to communicate orally to a variety of audiences.  Ability to present educational workshops for Tribal nations and organizations on issues pertaining to related projects. Proven ability to communicate in a culturally sensitive environment. 

 Reasoning Ability:

• Required: Ability to solve practical problems as well as address the complex challenges related to working within Tribal communities and Tribal Court systems; also understanding and dealing with state and federal agencies.
• Preferred: Advanced understanding of federal Indian law and Tribal legal systems. Creativity, problem-solving, and a sense of humor are benefits in this position.

Organizational Skills:

• Required: Must be a highly organized and self-motivated individual with the ability to work independently.  Must be able to exercise initiative and effectively handle multiple priorities simultaneously, work cooperatively in a team environment, and complete assigned tasks in a timely manner. 

Other Skills and Abilities:

• Required: Proficient and/or demonstrated ability to learn a wide range of computer software- such as Office Word, Outlook, SharePoint, Access, Excel, Lexis Nexis and others. Travel is required – must be willing to travel.

How to Apply:
Submit, via email, a cover letter, resume, one writing sample, and three references to:

Jessica Allen, Administrative Manager
Tribal Law and Policy Institute
Email:  Jerry@tlpi.org, Heather@tlpi.org, Jessica@tlpi.org

Application deadline:
Wednesday – March 31, 2010

The Tribal Law and Policy Institute is an equal opportunity employer. Tribal citizens, women, and persons of color are encouraged to apply.