Director of Legal Affairs

Job DescriptionJob Description:

Job Summary: The General Counsel provides senior management with effective legal advice based upon attorney-client privilege and attorney work product doctrine on company strategies and their implementation, manages the legal function, and obtains and manages the work of outside counsel. The general counsel is directly involved in complex business transactions and negotiating critical contracts. It will also support the Oyate Health Center programs, services, functions, and activities. This position will assist in tracking and responding to federal health laws, policies, and regulations as they impact Indian Country. The incumbent must have a strong understanding of health care delivery, the federal trust relationship with Indian Tribes, and the legal, policy, and political frameworks impacting Direct Service and Self-Governing Tribes and compacting and contracting Tribes. Essential Functions: Specific duties include, but are not limited to:Represent GPTLHB in negotiations of contracts, agreements, and other transactional matters and provide Board and staff advice on such matters.Advise and represent GPTLHB in personnel matters, as well as provide conflict resolution and mediation when necessaryRepresent GPTLHB in litigation. Assist with the Health Board's relationships with Congressional and Administration contacts necessary to further the overall mission and responsibilities of GPTLHB, including interaction with tribal partners, federal partners, national and regional organization partners, constituent inquiries, and correspondence.Provide legal advice regarding the operation of the Indian Health Service programs at the Oyate Health Center, including the negotiations of agreements related to the administration of the programs, services, functions, and activities. Participate in developing corporate policies, procedures, and programs and provide continuing counsel and guidance on legal matters and legal implications of all matters.Monitor and analyze legislation, regulations, and other materials related to policy affecting Indian Country, as identified by the GPTLHB CEO.Provide legal advice to policy staff regarding Congressional testimony, legislative analyses and alerts, policy briefs, and other written documents.Provide or solicit and oversee the presentation of information to governmental entities and review, and analyze legislative and policy issues related to Tribes, Tribal organizations, and partners related to the mission of the GPTLHB. Review, organize, respond to, and write or countersign official responses and/or comments related to proposed rules and requests for information issued by federal agencies. Agencies include, but are not limited to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services [CMS], Indian Health Service [IHS], Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], the Department of Health and Human Service [HHS], and Department of Veterans Affairs [VA]. Supervise work of outside counsel the production of quarterly and annual reports that summarize the impacts of the regulations and initiatives on the provision of health care in the I/T/U systems and AI/AN beneficiaries.Represent the GPTLHB at meetings and provide prepared analysis and updates on specialized regulatory issues; assist with efforts to build, promote, and maintain relationships and partnerships that advance the mission of the GPTLHB. Professional Behavior Effectively plan and organize workload and schedule time to meet the demands of the position.Work cooperatively and professionally with GPTLHB staff.Treat Great Plains tribes and collaborators with dignity and respect.Utilize effective verbal and written communication skills.Abide by the GPTLHB policies, procedures, and structure.Attend GPTLHB meetings, events, and other functions as required.Other duties as assigned by the President/Chief Executive Officer. RequirementsParticipates in Core Connections training, and applies GPTLHB Core Connections concepts and practices in their workExemplify excellent customer service with tribal stakeholders, health board colleagues, program partners, service recipients, visitors, and guests.Foster a work environment of wellness, courtesy, friendliness, helpfulness, and respect.Relate well and work collaboratively with coworkers and all levels of staff in a professional manner.Familiarity and/or experience working with American Indian populations and respect for and knowledge of traditional, cultural, and spiritual practices of diverse American Indian communities, as well as working with other culturally and ethnically diverse populations. Consistently demonstrate respect for and acceptance of differing capabilities, cultures, gender, age, sexual orientation and/or personalities. Maintain and ensure organizational privacy and confidentiality.Must be able to handle crises and tolerate stress professionally.Must be self-directed and take proactive initiative to assist others.Possess the ability to resolve issues with other departments and coworkers without direct supervision. Knowledge about the national health care agenda, issues, impacts, and trends, as they relate to American Indian and Alaska Native TribesKnowledge of public health-related regulations and policies that impact American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Tribes and Tribal members as well as the Indian Health Service, Tribal, and urban Indian health programs (I/T/Us).Knowledge, political acumen, and cultural competency related to tribal self-governance.Knowledge and familiarity with titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act, the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, and the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.Strong organizational skills combined with the capacity to execute priorities in a timely manner.Skilled in verbal and written communication with keen attention to detail.Skilled in project management.Skilled in policy analysis and development.Skilled in interpersonal communication and the ability to connect and maintain relationships to support and move projects forward.Skilled in community outreach and experience in community planning processes.Skilled in meeting and group facilitation.Skilled in analyzing interviews and documents for themes and trends.Skilled in public speaking.Ability to think strategically about how to support Tribes and Tribal leaders as they seek to strengthen healthcare access.Ability to articulate an agenda, plan, and vision for policy areas. Ability to take direction and work independently, take initiative within areas of responsibility, and provide leadership and direction while working in a team-oriented environment.Ability to successfully work in a fast-paced, dynamic, and high-pressure environment. Abilities to learn quickly and efficiently, work with diverse teams of people, multi-task and manage priorities. Able to exercise flexibility to alter plans/routines when situations require and continue to perform without projecting stress/frustration that would adversely affect the work environment.Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule, including evenings, weekends, and overnight or extended travel as necessary.Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to community members, consumers, and other employees of the organization.Proficiency with computer programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and other Internet technologies.Valid driver's license must be kept current, and certificates, credentials, or licenses must be kept current and consistent with regulations required by applicable federal, state, and/or grant regulations.Ability to promote an alcohol-, tobacco- and drug-free lifestyle.Embrace modes of appearance and attire that reflect a professional presence.Adhere to GPTLHB policies and procedures. Supervisory Controls This is usually in a senior management position or an advanced clinical professional that received administrative direction from their supervisor with assignments in terms of broadly defined goals or functions. The employee usually has responsibility for independently planning, designing, and carrying out programs, projects, studies, or other work. Results of the work are considered technically authoritative and are normally accepted without significant change. If the work should be reviewed, the review concerns such matters as fulfillment of program objectives, effect of advice and influence on the overall program, or the contribution to the advancement of technology. Recommendations for new projects and alteration of objectives usually are evaluated for such considerations as availability of funds and other resources, broad program goals, or established priorities. Guidelines Guidelines include state and federal laws and regulations, OHC policies and procedures, OHC Medical Staff Bylaws, professional standards of medical practice, medical standing orders, and Centers or Medicare and Medicaid Services Conditions of Participation manual. These guidelines are not applicable to every situation encountered and require independent judgment, selection and interpretation in application. Complexity The work typically includes varied duties that require many different and unrelated processes and methods, such as those relating to well established aspects of an administrative or professional field. Decisions regarding what needs to be done include the assessment of unusual circumstances, variations in approach, and incomplete or conflicting data. Positions with this level of complexity include clinical professional positions, advanced professionals, and management positions. Scope & Effect The work involves establishing criteria; formulating projects; assessing program effectiveness; or investigating or analyzing a variety of unusual conditions, problems, or questions. The work product or service affects a wide range of organizational activities, major financial activities, or the operation of other programs divisions of the organization. This level of scope and effect is typically representative of senior management, specialized clinical and technical professional positions within the organization. Personal Contacts & Purpose of Contacts The personal contacts are with individuals or groups from outside the organization in a moderately unstructured setting. For example, the contacts are not established on a routine basis and the purpose and extent of each contact is different. Typical of contacts at this level are those with people in their capacities as attorneys; contractors; or representatives of professional organizations, the news media, or regulatory agencies. The purpose is to justify, defend, negotiate, or settle matters involving significant or controversial issues. The work usually involves active participation in conferences, meetings, hearings, or presentations involving problems or issues of considerable consequence or importance. The persons contacted typically have diverse viewpoints, goals, or objectives requiring the employee to achieve a common understanding of the problem and a satisfactory solution by convincing them, arriving at a compromise, or developing suitable alternatives. Physical Demands The characteristic demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the job's essential functions successfully. The work is sedentary. Typically, the employee sits comfortably to do the work. However, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying of light items, such as papers, books, or small parts; or driving an automobile. The employee must be able to read, write, speak and hear. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Local and moderate out-of-town travel is required. Work Environment The environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, meeting and training rooms, requiring use of safe work practices with office equipment, avoidance of trips and falls, observance of fire regulations and traffic signals. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. Supervisory & Management Responsibility This is a department head with final responsibility and authority for the accomplishment of objectives, utilization of resources, and personnel administration decisions within a major jurisdictional subdivision. The employee is accountable for the effective and efficient management of the work to achieve goals and objectives. The employee usually receives limited guidance in the form of approval/denial on matters of policy, service levels, goals or objectives from high authorities. Education/Experience/Certificates/CredentialsMinimum education required is Juris Doctorate. Substantive work experience may substitute for a degree.Membership in the South Dakota State Bar.A minimum of five years of experience legally representing organizations in the Indian health care delivery system working with American Indian/Alaska Native tribal governments with demonstrated experience with policy analysis and development, research, project management, and community engagement, and federal policy advocacy, working with Congress and the Administration.Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to be detail-oriented.Computer and technical skills (including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, etc.).Experience that indicates the ability to interact effectively with leaders among American Indian communities, government agencies, scientific and academic communities, medical and health-related organizations, non-governmental groups, and the public at large is required. The GPTLHB is a tribal organization which follows tribal preference laws. It is our policy to give preference to qualified Indian/Tribal candidates over qualified non-native candidates in hiring decisions, if all other qualifications are equal. Employment is contingent upon the outcome of all required criminal background checks.

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