JOB TITLE:

Chief Judge

DEPARTMENT:

Tribal Court

SUPERVISOR:

SALARY:

JOB SUMMARY:

The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska is a federally recognized Tribe with its ancestral homeland located in Niobrara, NE. The Tribe does not have a reservation in the classic definition; rather, the Ponca Restoration Act defined its jurisdiction as a �Service Delivery Area’ comprised of 15 counties throughout parts of Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota. Within its Service Delivery Area, the Tribe offers a broad range of health, social, educational, and cultural services. The Chief Judge serves as the head of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska (PTN) Tribal Court and is responsible for the fair and impartial administration of justice in accordance with the PTN Constitution and Law and Order Code. This role provides judicial leadership, oversees court administration, and ensures timely resolution of cases while upholding the sovereignty and laws of the tribe.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • 1. Administer justice and discharge all duties imposed by the PTN Constitution and applicable laws.
  • 2. Adhere strictly to the PTN Constitution, Law and Order Code, and all judicial policies and procedures.
  • 3. Preside over and decide matters of a judicial nature, issuing judgments and orders in a timely and impartial manner.
  • 4. Manage the overall administration of the Tribal Court, including case assignments, docket management in an impartial manner.
  • 5. Conduct or assign thorough judicial and legal research to support case decisions.
  • 6. Travel regularly within the PTN Service Delivery Area as needed to fulfill judicial and administrative responsibilities.
  • 7. Attend relevant training sessions, and when required, provide training to court staff.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

  • 1. Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
  • 2. Licensed to practice law in any U.S. jurisdiction; preference may be given to candidates licensed in Nebraska or with demonstrated knowledge of Federal Indian Law.
  • 3. Minimum of 5 years’ experience practicing law, including experience in judicial or quasi judicial proceedings.
  • 4. Strong knowledge of tribal law, sovereignty, and governance preferred.
  • 5. Demonstrated ability to maintain impartiality, integrity and confidentiality.
  • 6. Excellent organizational, research, and communication skills.
  • 7. Must be willing and able to travel within PTN Service Delivery Area.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:

To apply, Chief Judge Vacancy – Ponca Tribe of Nebraska