Health Technician (Cultural Technician)

Summary This position is located at the Great Plains Area Youth Regional Treatment Center (GPAYRTC) in Mobridge, SD. The purpose of this position is to develop, implement and monitor cultural programming and educational activities and acting as a cultural liaison with families and tribes.

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will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021). Duties Total Compensation Package

• Check out IHS's outstanding total compensation package for this job: Health Technician Total Compensation | Pay (ihs.gov) Utilize all available resources to provide cultural and spiritual awareness activities to all adolescents; Schedules cultural educational outings and/or experiential outings to participate or observe ceremonies. Promote an appreciation of the American Indian culture, traditions, and spiritualism; the incumbent is expected to possess excellent skills in cultural awareness and knowledge of traditional values. An understanding of traditional, mainstream, and bicultural factors will assist in the interactions with residents, staff members, parents, referring programs, and tribal entities. The work is to provide comprehensive services to American Indian adolescents requiring treatment for AOD abuse and dependency, to resolve related problems, and to establish a lifelong recovery process. Excellent skills in the use of tact and diplomacy and the use of judgment will assist in the work. The work is mostly sedentary with some physical activity such as in wilderness outings, obtaining materials for and preparing the Inipi (sweat lodge), and vocational/recreational therapy on occasion. Prolonged periods of walking, standing, and climbing are sometimes required as well as the ability to lift, bend, and stoop in helping residents perform traditional activities. There may be need for occasional intervention or management of emergency situations (may require physical effort to restrain residents), and occasional lifting of objects weighing up to fifty (50) pounds. Training will be provided on non-violent crisis intervention, as this is the policy of our facility. 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. Individual Occupational Requirements: Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 and above): Positions in this series range widely in type and include support duties to medical or health personnel such as audiologists, speech pathologists, medical officers, and optometrists. Therefore, technician experience is experience that required application of the knowledge, methods, and techniques of the position to be filled. In addition to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: GS-06: 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: Experience and ability to provide comprehensive services to adolescents requiring treatment for alcohol and other drug abuse and dependency, to resolve related problems, and to establish a lifelong recovery process; assisting in resident placement, and assisting with aftercare planning and follow-up services; skill in cultural awareness and knowledge of traditional values to include cultural and historical information, core ceremonial and spiritual functions and social activities. 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. 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. The Indian Health Service (IHS), National Health Service Corps (NHSC), and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) have student loan repayment programs for qualifying health disciplines. This is a competitive process separate from the hiring process. Opportunities for LRP are based on agency hiring priorities and availability of funds. For additional information please visit: For IHS
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