Tribal Justice Director in Anza, California at Cahuilla Band Of Indians

SUMMARY:

The Cahuilla Band of Indians is seeking a Tribal Justice Director to oversee the administration and daily operations of the Tribal Justice department. Key responsibilities include court office management, case management, financial oversight, community relations, court safety, facility coordination, and supporting court performance and development.

Under the general direction of the Tribal Administration and Tribal Council, the Director will plan, research, and propose justice system initiatives. The role requires pursuing, applying for, and managing grant funding to support court programs and departmental needs.

The Tribal Justice Director will coordinate communication among the Tribal Court, Tribal departments, the Inter-Tribal Court of Southern California (ICSC), California Indian Legal Services (CILS), community partners, and outside agencies. The position also supports court-related projects, including data collection, reporting, liaison work with consultants, and serving as recording secretary for the Cahuilla Tribal Court Development Team.

Additionally, the Director will oversee the implementation, compliance, and enforcement processes related to Tribal ordinances, ensuring coordination with relevant departments and alignment with Tribal laws and policies.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily:

• Direct and manage the day-to-day operations to ensure efficiency.
• Develop and maintains policies, court manuals, court forms or other related documents.
• Evaluate, assess, and recommend changes to policies, court manuals, and court forms or other related documents.
• Work with court staff and court development officials on areas of court development.
• Work with court staff to create, implement, and monitor a strategic plan.
• Evaluate court performance.
• Create solid working relationships with court staff, tribal staff, court staff in other jurisdictions and other court-related organizations or agencies.
• Maintain communication with individuals from the working relationships.
• Develop court education information for the community.
• Pursuing, apply for, and manage grant funding.
• Keep current with applicable laws, regulations, ordinances; revise court policies and procedures to stay compliant with changes.
• Assist in the development and monitor the court budget.
• Assist with design, implementation and maintaining the case management system.
• Maintain professional knowledge by attending relevant training and workshops.
• Maintain a library of laws, regulations, orders, opinions, and any other resource that may be pertinent to the tribal court.
• Maintain statistics for the tribal court.
• Create reports and submit to appropriate tribal authorities.
• Manage support staff.
• Ensure the court calendar and court docket are maintained.
• Ensure the case files are processed, managed, handled in a timely manner and securely stored.
• Ensure case files, land assignment documents, pleadings and other case-related documents are kept confidential.
• Perform a variety of preparation duties to prepare for court day.
• Provide general assistance to the community on court information and court forms.
• Manage and collect court fines, fees and other monetary funds imposed by the court.
• Perform other administrative and ministerial duties specified by the ordinance, assigned by the Chief Judge, court development officials, or other court governing document.
• Perform other duties as assigned
• Must have or be willing to obtain notary license

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

To perform this job successfully, the requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities.

1. KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge of the Cahuilla Band of Indians’ values, court mission and purpose.
• Knowledge of the Cahuilla Band of Indians’ court authorities (governing and foundation documents).
• Knowledge of the Cahuilla Band of Indians’ court financial authorities (financial regulations and other documents).
• Knowledge of the Cahuilla Band of Indians’ structure, culture, and programs.
• Knowledge of legal terminology, proper grammar, and math skills relevant to carrying out essential court duties.
• Knowledge of trends and developments in the field of court administration.
• Knowledge of federal funding requirements, budgeting procedures, and rules and regulations applicable to a variety of programs and funding sources.

1. SKILLS

• Respectful and clear communication with the community, internal and external court community.
• Excellent written communication skills, while also demonstrating accuracy and thoroughness.
• Excellent skills in computer software applications and databases.
• Sharp listening skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Demonstrate research skills.

1. ABILITIES

• Ability to be a self-starter.
• Ability to adapt to changes in the work environment.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks.
• Ability to identify and prioritize urgent tasks and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work as a team member in a high stress environment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and sign a confidentiality agreement.
• Ability to demonstrate professional judgment in complex situations.
• Ability to recognize the scope and limit of delegated authority.
• Ability to be a creative and innovative problem-solver.
• Ability to be open-minded and strive to continue learning.
• Ability to speak in front of an audience and give a presentation.
• Ability to work with community members from all ages, backgrounds, and learning styles.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education: Required; four-year Bachelor’s Degree in Court Administration, Business Administration, Public Administration, Criminal Justice, American Indian Studies, or a closely related field.
• Required: Two years of previous experience as a court clerk, paralegal, legal assistant, or closely related tribal justice administration position.
• Required: Work Hours/Timeframes:

Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. -5:00 p.m.; overtime and weekends as needed. Remote/Hybrid may be accommodated per supervisor discretion.

• Required: Must be available to attend training courses on occasion
• Must possess a valid California State Driver's License; must be insurable.

BACKGROUND CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Successfully pass background investigation.
• Pre-employment Drug Screening.

Preference in employment is provided to qualified Native American applicants. After providing Native preference in employment as allowed by Federal law, Cahuilla Band of Indians strives to be an equal opportunity employer dedicated to the policy of nondiscrimination based on race, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, veteran status or any other non job-related factor.