Cultural Mentor

Tribal Health; Rapid City (SD); Vor Ort; USD 27.000 - 39.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

Tribal Health in Rapid City, SD seeks a Cultural Mentor to deliver onsite client services and Lakota-based cultural education for employees and healthcare professionals. The role centers on supporting the OLO programs, relatives’ healing, and community kinship through culturally grounded mentoring.

The position requires strong Lakota language skills, the ability to build trust, and the flexibility to work ceremonies, evenings, and weekends as needed to support relatives and program activities.

Qualifikationen

• Lakota language skills sufficient to communicate and advocate for relatives’ needs in the performance of assigned responsibilities.
• Knowledge of Lakota culture, kinship, ceremonies, healing traditions, and protocols.
• Ability to build trusting relationships, maintain boundaries, and work with diverse communities.
• Strong communication and facilitation skills, able to explain cultural concepts to varied audiences.
• Ability to work independently, maintain confidentiality, and document accurately.
• Willingness to meet background checks and obtain required certifications.

Aufgaben

• Provide onsite mentoring for clients and OLO programs using Lakota cultural approaches.
• Advocate for relatives’ needs in Lakota language and coordinate with staff and stakeholders.
• Support cultural mentoring services by prioritizing Lakota protocols and healing activities.
• Coordinate client services with staff, contractors, and partners, maintaining clear communication.
• Document mentoring activities and training in compliance with policies and safeguards.

Kenntnisse

Lakota language skills

Communication skills

Cultural mentoring

Jobbeschreibung

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Rapid City, SD, US

3 days ago Requisition ID: 2017

Salary Range: $24.03 To $24.03 Hourly

Position Overview

The Cultural Mentor provides onsite mentoring and support to the Company’s clients and develops and delivers cultural immersion and training within the Company. Approximately 75% of the role is dedicated to onsite client services, with the remaining 25% dedicated to cultural education for Company employees, leadership, and healthcare professionals.

Client services include supporting programs offered by Oaye Luta Okolakiciye (OLO), where the Cultural Mentor works directly with participating youth, adults, and families to support healing, recovery, and cultural connection. Consistent with OLO’s approach, this work is grounded in Lakota language, values, kinship, and cultural practices. Those receiving support are referred to as "relatives," reflecting the importance of respectful relationships, belonging, and care for one another.

Key Responsibilities

Client Services and OLO Cultural Mentoring

Provide onsite mentoring through the Company’s client engagements, including OLO programs. The responsibilities below describe work with relatives participating in those programs and the Lakota cultural approach used in supporting OLO’s services.

• Establish and maintain relationships with relatives grounded in Otakuye (relative/kinship), using age- and gender-appropriate kinship terms and observing respectful personal and professional boundaries. Provide guidance, encouragement, and culturally grounded support with humility and respect for each person’s healing journey.
• Within OLO programs, advocate for relatives’ needs using the Lakota language and support communication among relatives, client staff, and others involved in their care or services. Help relatives express their concerns, understand available support, and connect with appropriate resources.
• Support OLO’s cultural mentoring services by prioritizing Lakota cultural protocols, ceremonies, and healing activities. Be actively present and participate in relatives’ healing ceremonies as appropriate to the role, the relatives’ wishes, and applicable cultural protocols.
• Coordinate assigned client services with client staff, contractors, partners, and stakeholders, while keeping the appropriate Company contacts informed. Facilitate respectful discussions and communicate relatives’ needs, service concerns, and relevant updates.
• Advocate for relatives’ safety and dignity, recognize concerns that may place them at risk of harm, and promptly communicate those concerns through applicable Company and client procedures. Maintain clear boundaries and seek additional support when a need exceeds the role’s responsibilities or expertise.

Company Cultural Immersion and Training

Provide Native American cultural education within the Company to strengthen employees’ understanding of the communities served and help them apply respectful cultural practices in their work.

• Plan and facilitate cultural immersion experiences, orientation sessions, and ongoing training for Company employees, leadership, and healthcare professionals. Address Native American histories, cultures, values, communication practices, and respectful engagement with Tribal communities, recognizing that traditions and protocols vary among Tribes.
• Develop appropriate training materials and practical guidance in collaboration with Company leadership and knowledgeable representatives of the Native American communities relevant to the Company’s work. Tailor content to the communities served and share cultural knowledge in a manner that respects community guidance and safeguards sacred, private, or restricted teachings and practices.
• Serve as an internal resource for cultural questions and help Company teams apply what they learn to their work and client relationships. Coordinate training needs and schedules with Company leadership, gather participant feedback, and refine training to address identified needs.

Responsibilities Across Client and Company Work

• Complete timely and accurate documentation of client mentoring activities and services, as well as Company cultural training, in accordance with Company requirements and applicable client standards. Protect confidential information concerning relatives, clients, and the Company.
• Maintain the highest level of professional conduct, follow applicable Company policies and client procedures, and perform other related duties reasonably assigned by Company leadership.
• Participate in ongoing professional and personal development and obtain and maintain certifications required for assigned services, which may include Community Health Worker or Peer Mentor certification.
• Use self-reflection, healthy professional boundaries, and available support to sustain effective mentoring and training. Recognize how personal experiences may affect relationships with relatives and seek guidance when needed. Perform duties safely and professionally and comply with applicable workplace safety and conduct policies, consistent with applicable law.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of Lakota culture, kinship relationships, ceremonies, healing traditions, and cultural protocols applicable to OLO client services, together with an understanding of the diversity of Native American cultures and the ability to develop broader Company training with appropriate community guidance.
• Lakota language skills sufficient to communicate and advocate for relatives’ needs in the performance of assigned responsibilities.
• Ability to build trusting relationships, support relatives seeking help, and maintain appropriate personal and professional boundaries.
• Strong communication and facilitation skills, including the ability to explain cultural concepts and guide learning for people with varying levels of cultural knowledge.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, maintain confidentiality, and complete accurate documentation in a timely manner.
• Ability to satisfy job-related background screening and certification requirements, as applicable to assigned duties and permitted by law, and participate in required ongoing training.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays when needed for ceremonies, relatives’ needs, client activities, or Company training, with scheduling coordinated through the Company.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience providing cultural mentoring, peer support, community health services, or related support in Tribal communities.
• Experience developing or facilitating cultural immersion, employee orientation, or cultural training in a healthcare or community service setting.
• Community Health Worker, Peer Mentor, or other relevant certification.

Measures of Success

Success in this position will be demonstrated through the Cultural Mentor’s ability to:

• Build respectful, trusting relationships and provide culturally grounded support responsive to relatives’ needs.
• Advocate effectively for relatives in OLO programs while honoring Lakota language, kinship, and cultural protocols.
• Deliver useful Native American cultural immersion and training that strengthens Company employees’ understanding and application of respectful cultural practices across the communities served.
• Collaborate effectively with Company and client teams, maintain professional boundaries, and complete required documentation accurately and on time.

This description summarizes the role and may be updated as the Company’s services and client needs evolve.

Native American Preference

Preference in filling vacancies is given to qualified Native American candidates in accordance with federal law (Title 25, USC Section 472). Form BIA-4432 should be submitted with the application. For more information about Native American Preference in employment please click here .

Equal Opportunity Employer

Tribal Health is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. We value the skills, experience, and dedication that veterans bring to the workplace and qualified veterans are encouraged to apply. Tribal Health is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please let us know by emailing [e-mail] or by calling [phone]. For more info on EEOC please visit EEOC KNOW YOUR RIGHTS