Social Services Assistant

SummaryJoin the IHS as a Social Services Assistant and provide general social services to American Indian and Alaska Natives, addressing social and emotional needs that affect health. Work with a dedicated team to strengthen wellness, resilience, and community well-being. Enjoy competitive benefits, professional growth, and a mission-driven career that truly matters. Apply today!A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).Duties Help Creates lesson plans, curricula, and other cultural education groups for the residents through the use of videos, library books, and other types of resource materials relating to various Tribes.Assists with and maintains the daily schedule, including but not limited to: community activities, daily meditations, daily goal setting, support group meetings and all related activities, and assists residents with their discharge and aftercare planning.Manages the security of the residents through random bed checks and systematically records those bed checks.Assists with Control Station duties that include: answering the telephone, providing interior and exterior security checks, routine bed checks, bathroom and shower monitoring, and monitoring surveillance cameras, fire and control panels.Requirements Help Conditions of employmentSelectee may be subject to a probationary periodU.S. Citizenship is requiredSelective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630, requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes.IHS Selectees that will work in an IHS health care facility may be subject to Employee Health Policies related to Measles and Rubella, and seasonal influenza immunizations. Vaccine exemption requests may be available according to the National and/or Service Unit guidance.On-call hours or standby duty may be required.Position may be subject to rotating shifts: days, evenings, nights, weekends and holidays.Physical Demands: The work involves walking, sitting, standing, reaching and bending in the assessment and treatment of patients.Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/.You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.Background Investigation RequirementThis position requires the successful completion of a federal background investigation as a condition of employment.A background investigation is a standard process used by the Federal Government to verify an individual's identity, employment history, education, and other relevant information to determine suitability for Federal service.Upon receipt of instructions, applicants must complete all required background investigation forms within five (5) calendar days of issuance. Timely completion is critical to avoid delays in processing or a determination of unsuitability.Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize this requirement and to maintain regular communication with their assigned Personnel Security Specialist throughout the process.Prior to the appointment, candidates must present two valid forms of identification. If one of the documents is a state-issued ID or driver's license, it must be REAL ID-compliant.QualificationsTo qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying.Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.Minimum QualificationsFor GS-5:Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-4 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the private or public sector) performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Aid or assistant to professional or specialist staff working with individuals who are addicted to or abuse alcohol and/or drugs, serve as a group leader in community or residential recreation or training programs, and/or perform as a counselor in a youth summer camp. This experience should provide you the ability to recognize deviations from normal behavior or problematic behaviors and report to the treatment team or appropriate staff.ORSuccessful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree that (a) included at least 24 semester hours in any combination of subjects directly related to the work of the position; (b) included a major in social behavior, human behavior, or health care or; (c) was supplemented by experience in activities that afforded the opportunity to acquire and demonstrate the skills required by the position. (The supplementary experience may have been gained, for example, in part-time or summer employment, in volunteer social welfare or recreation programs, or in community organizations.Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for all grade levels and positions for which both education and experience are acceptable.Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above), Examples of qualifying specialized experience include:Group leader in community or residential recreation or training programs.Counselor in a youth summer camp.Instructor in a training program for the development of job skills.Work that demonstrated the ability to be responsible for and to lead and train members of a job crew.Group activities leader in the Armed Services.Unit leader-monitor-proctor for a dormitory group in a boarding school or other residential facility.Aid or assistant to professional or specialist staff in such fields as personnel (private or government), employment guidance in a vocational or academic institution, social service, or manpower development.Aid or assistant to professional or associate staff engaged in work of a social services nature in private, public welfare, government program, or community organizations, or in voluntary activities.Aid or assistant to professional or specialist staff working with individuals who are addicted to or abuse alcohol and/or drugs.You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.EducationThere are no education requirements; however, if you are using education to meet the minimum qualification of this position, you are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses, including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer.Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://www.ed.gov/accreditation.Additional informationFederal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. IHS may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their directly related previous non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave..This position may be covered by a Bargaining Unit.Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized. At least a 6 month service agreement will be required.This position has promotion potential to the GS-07 grade level. Promotion to the next grade level is at management's discretion and is based on your demonstrated ability to perform the higher level duties, the continuing need for the higher level duties, and "Regulatory/Administrative" approval. Promotion to the next higher grade level is not guaranteed and no promise of promotion is implied.You will be evaluated for this position in accordance with the OPM Merit Hiring Plan.As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide short essay responses (200 words or less each) to the following four questions.How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government?In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness?How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role?How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements?Your responses are optional and will not be scored.However, they may be reviewed by hiring managers and agency leadership (or designees) during the evaluation process.You will be asked to certify that your responses are written in your own words and that you did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) tool (such as ChatGPT or Copilot).Financial Suitability Requirement:This position requires a review of the applicant's financial history as part of the personnel security and suitability determination. Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility, maintain good standing with creditors, and satisfy all legal financial obligations prior to applying.Individuals with substantial delinquent or unresolved financial obligations-including, but not limited to, delinquent federal or state tax liabilities, defaulted federal student loans, court-ordered fines or fees, or child support arrears-may be deemed unsuitable for employment with the Indian Health Service (IHS).Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Help Review our benefits