Social Services Assistant

USAJOBS - Job Announcement

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Summary

Join 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.

Overview

Help Accepting applications Open & closing dates 01292026 to 04292026 Salary 45409 to - 59031 per year Salary is determined by Duty Station. Certain locations are covered by a Locality Pay Table. Pay scale & grade GS 6 Locations Few vacancies in the following locations Chinle AZ Inscription House AZ Kayenta AZ Parker AZ Show more fewer locations 35 Peach Springs AZ Phoenix AZ Pinon AZ Sacaton AZ Shonto AZ Tsaile AZ Whiteriver AZ Davis CA Hemet CA Winterhaven CA Towaoc CO Red Lake MN Browning MT Crow Agency MT Cherokee NC Belcourt ND Acoma NM Dulce NM Gallup NM Shiprock NM Wadsworth NV Lockport NY Anadarko OK Carnegie OK Clinton OK El Reno OK Lawton OK Pawnee OK Wewoka OK Fort Thompson SD Kyle SD Mobridge SD Pine Ridge SD Rosebud SD Fort Duchesne UT Remote job No Telework eligible No Travel Required Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position. Relocation expenses reimbursed Yes-Certain locations may authorize for reimbursement of relocation expenses or Permanent Change of Station PCS in accordance with agency policy. Appointment type Multiple - The majority of positions to be filled under this announcement are permanent. This announcement may also be used to fill time-limited appointments such as TERM and Temporary. Work schedule Multiple Schedules - The majority of positions to be filled under this announcement are full-time. This announcement may also be used to fill various work schedules including full-time part-time less than 40 hours per week and intermittent as needed. Service Competitive Promotion potential 7 Job family Series 0186 Social Services Aid And Assistant Supervisory status No Security clearance Other Drug test No Position sensitivity and risk Moderate Risk MR Trust determination process Suitability Fitness Financial disclosure No Bargaining unit status Yes - This position may or may not be covered by a bargaining unit depending on the duty location. Final determination will be made at the time of appointment. Announcement number IHS-26-HQ-12868257-ESEPMP Control number 855985600

Duties

Provides a wide range of general social services for patients. Works with the service unit community staff and tribal programs. Establish and maintains listings of community resources for social services. Provides information and referral services for patients, staff, and tribal programs. Makes home visits, serves as a patient advocate, serving as a social service assistant to individuals eligible for services provided by the IHS in homes, schools, clinics, and other community services under the Lawton service unit. Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Conditions of employment Selectee may be subject to a probationary period. ESEP appointees typically serve a two-year trial period. U.S. Citizenship is required. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12311959.

This 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 whose duties and responsibilities require them to work permanently, temporarily, or occasionally in an IHS healthcare facility must comply with the IHS Employee Immunization Policy related to vaccine-preventable diseases consistent with recommendations for healthcare workers. Vaccine exemption requests may be available as outlined in the IHS Employee Immunization Policy and facility guidance.

On-call hours or standby duty may be required.

Position may be subject to rotating shifts, days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.

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 Requirement This 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 individuals 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 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.

Qualifications

To 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.

Basic Requirements

Individual Occupational Requirements

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.

Minimum Qualifications

The following experience and/or education is required to qualify for this position.

For GS-6

Your resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-5 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks:

• Supervise the day-to-day activities of a group to maintain order and safety.
• Instruct and supervise the group members in such daily activities as work details to keep their quarters in order, physical training, recreation, give practical advice and counsel to individuals on everyday problems of adjustment to the group, or provide client services in a field such as psychology, rehabilitation, or social work, including support for families.

This experience should provide you with the ability to recognize and respond appropriately to deviations from normal behavior, identify problematic behaviors, and report to the treatment team or appropriate staff.

Education

There are no education requirements.

Additional Information

This is an Open Continuous Announcement. There may not be immediate vacancies at all locations. You will be limited to selecting no more than 5 locations during the application process and will only be considered for the locations you select. Interested applicants should contact the Human Resources point of contact concerning immediate employment needs.

Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate of 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. A service agreement will be required.

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 Presidents 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