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Social Services Assistant


Job Location:

Browning, MT - USA

Yearly Salary: USD 50460 - 50460
Posted: 6 October 2026 (2 days ago)
Application Deadline: 5 January 2027
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Summary

This position is located within the Clinical Social Services Section of the Blackfeet Service Unit.

A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7 2025 in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).
Prior to the appointment candidates must present two valid forms of identification. If one of the documents is a state-issued ID or drivers license it must be REAL ID-compliant.


Duties

  • Participates in the multidisciplinary team by reviewing treatment plans implementing residential components of behavioral health and chemical dependency programming and maintaining timely documentation of daily logs behavior observations and incident reports in accordance with established procedures.
  • Monitors clients routines assists in preparing for school counseling sessions cultural programming and treatment groups and escorts clients throughout daily schedules to ensure safety order and compliance with program expectations.
  • Participates in department meetings shift briefings staffing sessions and treatment team meetings to share behavioral observations and support the coordination of residential services with clinical objectives.

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 12/31/1959

    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.

    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 (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.

    Financial Suitability Requirement:

    This position requires a review of the applicants 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).

    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 REQUIREMENT(S):

    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.
    In addition to the Basic Requirements you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below.

    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
    Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Plan and carry out successive steps to handle behavioral problems in accordance with instructions policies previous training or accepted practices within the interdisciplinary health care team; work with a multidisciplinary team (such as psychologists nurses social workers and administrators) to ensure the safety and well-being of patients; facilitate group activities; recognize and respond appropriately to deviations from normal behavior; provide non-professional counseling to de-escalate aggressive or difficult behavior or to help the patient/resident process a situation or incident.

    Time In Grade
    Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP).

    You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.
    Education

    There are no education requirements.

    Additional information

    Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e. physical or mental) covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position after notification of the adjudication of your request you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. ( position is covered by a Bargaining Unit.

    Recruitment incentive may be authorized. At least a 6 month 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.

    1. 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
    2. In this role how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness
    3. In this role you will be expected to professionally and efficiently implement executive direction. Provide an example where you implemented leadership direction on a strategy or policy decision that differed from your own recommendation.
    4. How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional academic or personal achievements

    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.


    Required Experience:

    Junior IC