Chief Judge

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Announcement #
Courtesy
Issue Date:
12-04-25
Closing Date:
12-23-25
 

Chief Judge

Tribal Court

Department of Justice Services

Hourly Wage: $DOQ/Regular/Full-Time/4-year appointment

 

The Chief Judge shall hear and determine all matters fully and regularly filed in the Yakama Tribal Court. The Chief Judge shall have the power to:

·         Issue any written order, decree, judgment and legal memorandum necessary and proper to the complete exercise of their powers;

·         To issue subpoenas to compel witnesses or documents, or both, on the motion of any party on their own in the proceeding before him/her and may hold in contempt any party or person for failure to comply with such subpoena after being properly notified and without legal justification for failing to do so;

·         To administer oaths to persons in proceedings before him/her and where necessary and proper, to carry out judicial duties;

·         To administer fines, penalties, dismissals, forfeitures, costs, restitution, hold in contempt, defer prosecution, impose, suspend, or defer jail time;

·         To hold arraignments, preliminary hearings, pre-trials, trials, jury trials, post trials, sentencing and may sit on the Yakama Nation Court of Appeals where it does not conflict with trial duties and was not an appeal that he/she sat on at trial level;

·         To follow the federal rules of evidence;

·         To use the federal rules of Criminal and Civil Procedures as guidelines when Tribal Law or custom does not apply.

 

Examples of Work Performed:

§  Chief Judge shall prepare written orders based upon the facts, law and precedence of the case in a timely manner.

§  Presides over criminal and civil cases properly and regularly filed in the Tribal Courts, Children’s Court, and Appellate Court. Enforces and maintains the subject matter, territorial and personal jurisdiction of the Yakama Nation.

§  Informs defendants during arraignments of his/her rights and charges, pursuant to the Law & Order Code and the Indian Civil Rights Act.

§  After trial, fact-finding or hearing, will issue orders, decrees, judgments, sentences or dismissals based upon the law, facts, evidence, precedence and procedures pursuant to the Yakama Nation Law & Order Code.

§  Chief Judge shall research issues, case law, traditional law, and render decisions, fairly, timely, equally and legally.

§  Chief Judge shall work administratively with the Court Administrator and Justice Services Deputy Director in establishing goals, objectives, and priorities for the judges, attorneys, and clerks of the Yakama Nation courts. May provide recommendations to the Justice Services Administrator, Law & Justice Advisory Committee and the Law & Order Committee for needed changes to the Law & Order Code.

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

§  Knowledge and application of the laws, rules, regulations and ordinances in effect on the Yakama Reservation, including Indian Civil Rights Act (ICRA), and the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA).

§  Knowledge of the customs, traditions and Tribal Laws of the Yakama Nation.

§  Knowledge of legal practices and standards within the Yakama Nation Law & Order Code.

§  Knowledge of managerial practices and methods, including personnel, budget, finance, grants/contracts, property, records and organization.

§  Knowledge of the Tribe’s organizational structure, channels of communication, and standard operating manuals and Tribal directives.

§  Knowledge of the surrounding communities, legal systems and Human Services resources to network client services.

 

§  Skill in dealing with persons in conflict.

§  Skill in communication, public speaking, and interpreting laws and findings of the court.

§  Ability to work within established policies, rules and procedures.

§  Ability to understand and interpret constitutional provisions, statutes administrative regulations and case precedence.

§  Ability to take independent, decisive action, with the ability to weigh all facts presented and render a clear, quick, fair and impartial decision.

§  Ability to work under stressful and abrupt conditions and demonstrate good moral and temperate habits.

§  Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with public officials, Tribal employees, public agencies, and Tribal Membership.

 

Minimum Requirements:

§  A combination of extensive education, supervision, and legal professional experience. 

§  Required to pass pre-employment drug test.

§  Required to pass pre-employment background check.

§  Membership or an enrollment in the Yakama Nation or in any Indian Nation within the United States.

 

Preferred Requirements:

§  Graduation from an accredited school of law with a Juris Doctorate Degree preferred but not required.