Fresh Listing

Posted: February 2, 2026 (4 days ago)

Added to FreshGovJobs: February 4, 2026 (1 day ago)

Posted recently. We are still expanding our coverage, so we added it a bit late. Still worth applying!

Social Services Assistant

Indian Health Service

Department of Health and Human Services

Fresh

Salary

$50,460 - $65,599

per year

Closes

May 4, 2026

GS-4 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $30,286 - $39,372

Typical requirements: 1 year general experience. 2 years college or associate degree.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job involves supporting American Indian and Alaska Native communities by addressing their social and emotional needs that impact health, working as part of a team to promote wellness and resilience.

You'll assist with group activities, counseling, and behavioral support in a healthcare setting.

It's a great fit for someone with experience in community or youth programs who wants a meaningful role in public service with opportunities for growth.

Key Requirements

  • One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-6 level, such as leading groups, counseling youth, or assisting in social services
  • Ability to plan and carry out tasks, handle behavioral problems, and follow instructions in an interdisciplinary healthcare team
  • Experience interacting with psychologists, nurses, social workers, community resources, residents, and families
  • Skills in facilitating group activities and providing non-professional counseling for substance use and mental health issues in adolescents
  • Recognition and appropriate response to deviations from normal behavior
  • For federal employees: One year of time-in-grade at GS-6 (applies to merit promotion candidates)
  • Optionally, one year of graduate education directly related to social services

Full Job Description

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!

USAJOBS Help Center - Update your resume now so it meets new resume requirements 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:GS-07 Grade Level: 1 (One) year of specialized experience that equipped me with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position.

This experience is related to the work of the position and equivalent to at least the GS-06 grade level in the Federal service as described in the vacancy announcement.

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: Examples Include: planning and carrying out the successive steps and handling behavioral problems in accordance with instructions, policies, previous training, or accepted practices within the interdisciplinary health care team; interact with psychologists, nurses, social workers, community resources, residents and/or their families; facilitate group activities; recognize and respond appropriately to deviations from normal behavior; provide non-professional counseling services, including behavioral issues associated with substance use and mental health disorders in adolescents.

OR Education: You have completed 1 (One) year of graduate education that is directly related to the work of the position.

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 by the respective cut-off day of rating to be eligible for consideration. Major 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.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 2/2/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 2/4/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: IHS-26-HQ-12868265-ESEP/MP