JOB: Ak-Chin Chief Judge position

Job Announcement
#ACIC-09-11


Job Title: Chief Judge
Salary: $87,988 - $100,557 per annum
Reports to: Community Council
Supervises: Clerk of the Court, Bailiff, Probation Officers, Deputy Court Clerk, Secretary

Summary: Under general direction, presides over the Ak-Chin Indian Community Court and administers its overall functions. This is treated as FLSA exempt position.

Minimum Qualifications: Prior experience as a Judge preferred. Experience equivalent to seven years full time criminal justice, law enforcement, or closely related work, at least two years of which included supervisory/managerial responsibilities. Juris Doctorate degree from an ABA accredited university. Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Arizona, or the ability to acquire Arizona Bar Certification within one (1) year from date of hire. Must possess a valid Arizona driver’s license and be insurable under the Community’s insurance carrier (no DUI/DWI convictions within the last three years.) Must successfully complete and pass a background check.

Preference will be given to qualified Community members, then to qualified Native Americans, and then other qualified candidates. Within the scope of Indian Preference, all candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, sex, age, disability, religion, national origin, or other non-merit factor. Applicants wishing to claim Indian Preference must submit a Certificate of Indian Blood or proof of tribal enrollment at the time of application.

Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Presides over trials, arraignments, and sentencing’s at the Ak-Chin Indian Community Court, including informing defendants of their rights, charges, and penalties, hearing pleas/motions, setting trial dates, hearing testimony, evaluating the facts of the case to determine guilt/innocence, determining the legal disposition of the case, and imposing the appropriate sentence.
2. Reviews/approves pre-trial settlements/agreements.
3. Adopts and amends local rules of practice to facilitate the orderly operation of the Court, so long as the rules are consistent with applicable law.
4. Creates, reviews and issues a variety of Court orders/documents, including bench warrants, subpoenas, orders to show cause, and formal decisions.
5. Identifies and develops programs that provide alternative methods for the resolution of civil disputes and adopt such rules to govern the alternative dispute resolution programs so developed.
6. Identifies and develops diversion programs for adult and juvenile offenders, for purposes of rehabilitation, and adopts rules to govern the diversion programs.
7. Trains/coordinates professional development of subordinate staff.
8. Reviews/evaluates staff annually.
9. Develops/administers the Judicial Tribal Court Services Department budget.
10. Reviews/revises policies/procedures to ensure the efficient operation of the Ak-Chin Indian Community Court.
11. Makes regular and special assignments of the pro tem judges, including the assignments of cases.
12. Exercises general supervision over all Court personnel.
13. Prescribes the powers and duties of the Clerk of the Court, in addition to those as may be prescribed by law.
14. Other job related duties as assigned.

Other Requirements:
· Must adhere to the Ak-Chin Indian Community Law & Order Code.
· Knowledge of the Arizona Revised Statutes and other State, County, and Federal laws/ordinances, and Indian case law.
· Knowledge of legal reference resource materials.
· Ability to quickly acquire knowledge of the culture, customs and traditions of the Ak-Chin Indian Community.
· Knowledge of general judicial proceedings and processes, including arraignment, conducting trials, deciding points of law, and determining appropriate sentences.
· Knowledge of general Court operations, policies, and procedures.
· Knowledge of general criminal justice system operations.
· Knowledge of general office administration/management principles and practices, including budgeting and employee supervision and training.
· Knowledge of the information/documents to be contained in Court records/case files.
· Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other criminal justice system staff, Community officials, offenders from all socio-economic backgrounds, other Court staff, attorneys, and the public.
· Skill in evaluating the facts of a case and determining the appropriate actions to be taken.
· Skill in preparing a variety of narrative and statistical reports, including summaries of Court activities.
· Skill in interpreting and applying complex laws, statutes, ordinances of the Ak-Chin Indian Community, State, County, and Federal governments and agencies.
· Skill in listening to a variety of court cases with impartiality.
· Skill in planning, coordinating, and reviewing the work of subordinate staff.
· Skill in preparing a variety of narrative and statistical reports, including budgets and summaries of Court activities.

Closing Date: Open Until Filled. To be considered for this position, please submit a complete and signed Ak-Chin Indian Community job application (additional resume optional), a 39-month driving record from the Department of Motor Vehicles, proof of tribal enrollment if claiming Indian Preference and copy of DD214 if claiming Veteran’s Preference to:


Human Resources Director
Ak-Chin Indian Community
42507 W. Peters and Nall Road
Maricopa, AZ 85238

Email: resumes@ak-chin.nsn.us
Website: www.ak-chin.nsn.us


Faxed and incomplete applications will not be considered.

The Ak-Chin Indian Community is a smoke-free and drug-free workplace