Chief of Staff jobs in Helena, MT

CONFEDERATED SALISH AND KOOTENAI TRIBES

OF THE FLATHEAD NATION

PO BOX 278

PABLO MT 59855

(406) 675-2700

PERSONNEL OFFICE FAX: (406) 226-2562

WEBSITE ADDRESS: csktribes.org

E-mail melanie.piedalue@cskt.org

****V A C A N C Y A N N O U N C E M E N T****

TITLE: Chief Judge - Contract Position
4 year term

LOCATION: Tribal Court – Pablo, MT.

SALARY: $40.79 to $46.89 per hour

CLOSING DATE: Thursday, October 5, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS:
This position is by appointment of a majority of a quorum of the Tribal Council for a term consistent with

Section 1-2-202 of the CS&KT Laws Codified. The terms of employment are provided by contract between the

Tribes and the judge. This position is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP) within the definition of the

CSKT Drug Testing policy. The successful applicant, if not already employed by the Tribes must pass a

pre-hire drug test. This position is subject to a civil/criminal background investigation and employment

reference check.

DUTIES:

It is the primary duty of the Chief Judge to supervise and provide general direction to the Tribal Court as the

trial court division of the Tribal judiciary and as a department within the Tribal governmental system. As

provided under Section 1-2-301 of the CS&KT Laws Codified. It is the duty of the Chief Judge to designate

Associate Judges to preside over the Small Claims division, the Traffic Court Division and the Youth Court

Division of Tribal Court. It is the duty of the Chief Judge to establish and maintain a system for the assignment

of cases among the Associate Judges. In all criminal proceeding and in civil matters that require assistance, the

Chief Judge has the responsibility to appoint a bailiff to keep the peace and carry out such other courtroom

duties as the Chief Judge directs. Except for the duties of the Clerk of Court described in Section 1-2-302 of the

CS&KT Laws Codified, the Chief Judge oversees the general administration of the Tribal Court, including

management of caseload, expenditures, library, and the presentation of an annual budget proposal to the Tribal

Council. In consultation with the Clerk of Court, Court administrative and research tasks may be delegated by

the Chief Judge to one or more Court employees. It is also the duty of the Chief Judge to participate in judicial

training and legal education and, when necessary, to represent the Tribal Court of professional conferences and

symposiums.

In dealing with others out of Court, all judges must always act in a manner which will preserve the dignity
of the Court and maintain the ability to fairly and impartially decide matters brought before the Court. All
judges must avoid situations which may lead to exparte communications or which may give the appearance
of being exparte communications. All judges shall protect the preserve the high standards of the Tribal
judiciary and shall abide by the Model Canon of Judicial Ethics of the American Bar Association. No
Judge shall be qualified to preside in any case where she or he has any direct, personal interest of where he
or she is prejudiced for or against the parties in the action. Nor shall any Judge be qualified to act in any
case where any relative by marriage or blood in the first of second degree in a party unless all parties agree
to accept that Judge.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (AS REFLECTED ON THE TRIBAL EMPLOYMENT

APPLICATION)

The Chief Judge must be a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes at least 21 years of
age, and of good character and reputation. A Judge must never have been convicted of a felony, nor been
convicted of a misdemeanor (except for minor traffic violations) within the year preceding appointment,
nor have a criminal action pending against him or her at the time of appointment.

It is preferred that the Chief Judge have a Juris Doctorate and be a licensed attorney with the State of
Montana, or have a minimum of five (5) years prior judicial experience as an Associate Judge.

The Chief Judge must have the skills and abilities required to supervise the Court staff and to manage the
affairs of the Tribal Court as a Tribal Department. The Chief Judge must be skilled in oral and written
communications, must have well developed organizational abilities, must have skills in dispute resolution
techniques, and must have a thorough knowledge and understanding of the Flathead Reservation Indian
community, its people, and their customs and traditions. The Chief Judge must understand Tribal law,
federal Indian law, applicable state law, and general legal principles.

Compensation will be provided by contract in accordance with the approved Judicial Pay Plan. Fringe
benefits include the same personal time off, medical insurance and group life insurance provided to Tribal
employees. Otherwise, the provision of Tribal Ordinance 69D do not apply to the Tribal Court Judges in
view of their statutorily provided direct selection, appointment, and contract with the Tribal Council.

SUBMIT:

1. Completed Tribal employment application.

2. Copies of relevant academic transcripts and training certificates.

3. Copy of a valid Montana State Driver’s License.

4. Proof of Bar membership, if applicable

5. Proof of enrollment from a federally recognized Tribe if other than CSKT.

6. If you are claiming Veterans Preference, a copy of the DD214 must be submitted with the application.

SUBMIT ALL OF THE ABOVE TO: Personnel Office, PO Box 278, Pablo MT 59855, telephone (406) 675-

2700 Ext. 1040 or personnel@cskt.org.

FAILURE TO SUBMIT ALL OF THE ABOVE INFORMATION WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE

DISQUALIFICATION DURING THE SCREENING PROCESS

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Tom McDonald, Tribal Council Chairman, at 406-675-2700 Ext.

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