Social Services Assistant

Indian Health Service; Browning (MT); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Indian Health Service, Blackfeet Service Unit in Browning, MT, seeks a social services professional to join the Clinical Social Services Section. This role emphasizes documenting qualifications, collaborating with a multidisciplinary team, and delivering compassionate care to patients within the federal system.

Applicants must meet the Basic and Minimum Qualifications, including experience in behavioral problem management, group facilitation, and de‑escalation.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower federal grade, performing behavioral problem management within an interdisciplinary health care team.
• Ability to work with a multidisciplinary team (psychologists, nurses, social workers, administrators) to ensure safety and well‑being of patients.
• Experience in facilitating group activities and providing non‑professional counseling to de‑escalate situations.

Skills

Behavioral management

Group facilitation

De-escalation counseling

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Job description

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 driver's license, it must be REAL ID-compliant.

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.