About Maniilaq Health Center- https://www.maniilaq.org

Maniilaq Health Center is a modern, 17-bed 88,000 sq. ft facility with inpatient, ER, urgent care, and outpatient facilities. Dental, lab, radiology, pharmacy and long-term care facility are also on site. A non-profit corporation, Maniilaq provides health, tribal and social services to approximately 8,000 residents in Northwest Alaska.

This position provides Maniilaq Association with in-house legal services, and assists with a variety of legal matters in the course of normal business activities. Reports directly to the President/CEO and serves as a member of the Senior Management team. Oversees and manages general counsel functions, including assigning, supervising and evaluating all the work of outside counsel and internal investigations. Works collaboratively with other departments and organizational units to develop and implement processes to ensure appropriate identification, analysis, prioritization, and coordinated response to legal, risk management & compliance issues. Advises on and participates in development of policies, procedures, standards, guidelines and processes. Assists and supports Maniilaq leadership in clarifying and defining the authorities and responsibilities of board members, managers, and other staff. Assists and supports Maniilaq leadership in developing current and long range goals and objectives, and in the achievement of those goals and objectives.

Required Skills

1. Drafts, reviews, and/or negotiates a wide variety of contracts including employment agreements, purchase/sale agreements, leases, consulting agreements, vendor contracts, non-disclosure agreements and commercial contracts.
2. Assists with federal and state filings, including but not limited to audits, compliance filings, and regulatory and funding source on-site survey follow-up.
3. Provides legal services on Indian Child Protection Act, Indian Child Welfare Act, Family Violence Act, and other relevant Indian law matters.
4. Continuously monitors new laws, regulations, court cases and agency decisions to identify potential impacts on Maniilaq Association and the Tribes it serves.
5. Represents Maniilaq before trial and appellate courts and quasi-judicial or administrative agencies. Oversees preparation and filing of motions, litigation briefs and similar filings.
6. Under the direction of the President/CEO, participates in Indian Health Service and Bureau of Indian Affairs Compact and Annual Funding Agreement negotiations.
7. Mediates contract disputes as necessary, and acts as conflict management facilitator if needed, pursuant to Joint Commission or other regulatory requirements.
8. Oversees implementation of the Records Retention Policy.
9. Responsible for developing and managing the Legal budget.
10. Prepares and presents a brief legal report at each regular meeting of the Board of Directors, under the authority and direction of the President/CEO.

Knowledge & Skills: 

• Knowledge of applicable Federal, State and Tribal law, regulations, rules, policies and processes, including substantial knowledge of relevant specialized fields such as Federal Indian law and self-determination, self-governance, health law, & construction law.
• Knowledge of Alaska Tribal Health System.
• Knowledge of Alaska Native culture(s) and politics.
• Skill in litigation, advocacy, negotiation, mediation and dispute resolution.
• Skill in drafting legislation, testimony, comments and position papers, contracts and legal instruments.
• Skill in performing complex legal work independently and providing meaningful supervision and oversight of work of outside and expert counsel.
• Skill in conducting internal investigations.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with individuals with wide array of cultural, political, educational, social-economic, geographic and linguistic backgrounds.
• Skill in addressing sensitive issues and situations.
• Skill in advising leaders of complex organizational units.
• Ability to deliver effective and persuasive presentations on controversial or complex topics to management or the Board.

Required Experience

• Must hold a Juris Doctor Degree and be an active member of the Alaska Bar Association in good standing

• Five (5) years of legal experience, including substantial experience in litigation, transactions, health law and/or other relevant substantive areas.

• Legal experience in self-governance and federal Indian law.

• Three (3) years’ experience managing and office of general counsel, supervising attorneys, and/or performing similar function.

• Substantially similar combination of experience and qualifications will be considered.

• Relocation for the employee and family

• PTO earnings & cash out options

• Free health, dental, vision, life, short and long term disability insurance for the employee

• And more! Please contact Jeanne.greene@maniilaq.org for additional information.

Job Location- https://www.nwabor.org/village/kotzebue/

Kotzebue is located 549 air miles northwest of Anchorage and is 33 miles above the Arctic Circle. There are no highway systems that connect the region with the rest of the state, however Kotzebue’s Ralph Wein Memorial Airport supports daily jet service to Anchorage and Nome as well as smaller prop-driven aircraft to 11 surrounding villages.

1. Drafts, reviews, and/or negotiates a wide variety of contracts including employment agreements, purchase/sale agreements, leases, consulting agreements, vendor contracts, non-disclosure agreements and commercial contracts.
2. Assists with federal and state filings, including but not limited to audits, compliance filings, and regulatory and funding source on-site survey follow-up.
3. Provides legal services on Indian Child Protection Act, Indian Child Welfare Act, Family Violence Act, and other relevant Indian law matters.
4. Continuously monitors new laws, regulations, court cases and agency decisions to identify potential impacts on Maniilaq Association and the Tribes it serves.
5. Represents Maniilaq before trial and appellate courts and quasi-judicial or administrative agencies. Oversees preparation and filing of motions, litigation briefs and similar filings.
6. Under the direction of the President/CEO, participates in Indian Health Service and Bureau of Indian Affairs Compact and Annual Funding Agreement negotiations.
7. Mediates contract disputes as necessary, and acts as conflict management facilitator if needed, pursuant to Joint Commission or other regulatory requirements.
8. Oversees implementation of the Records Retention Policy.
9. Responsible for developing and managing the Legal budget.
10. Prepares and presents a brief legal report at each regular meeting of the Board of Directors, under the authority and direction of the President/CEO.

Knowledge & Skills: 

• Knowledge of applicable Federal, State and Tribal law, regulations, rules, policies and processes, including substantial knowledge of relevant specialized fields such as Federal Indian law and self-determination, self-governance, health law, & construction law.
• Knowledge of Alaska Tribal Health System.
• Knowledge of Alaska Native culture(s) and politics.
• Skill in litigation, advocacy, negotiation, mediation and dispute resolution.
• Skill in drafting legislation, testimony, comments and position papers, contracts and legal instruments.
• Skill in performing complex legal work independently and providing meaningful supervision and oversight of work of outside and expert counsel.
• Skill in conducting internal investigations.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with individuals with wide array of cultural, political, educational, social-economic, geographic and linguistic backgrounds.
• Skill in addressing sensitive issues and situations.
• Skill in advising leaders of complex organizational units.
• Ability to deliver effective and persuasive presentations on controversial or complex topics to management or the Board.