ICSS Senior Tribal Representative

Job Announcement

Position Title: ICSS Senior Tribal Representative

Department: Indian Child Social Services

Supervised By: ICSS Program Coordinator

Location: Alpine, Campo

Status: Non-Exempt / Hourly

Posted: October 1, 2026

Closing Date: Until Filled

Salary: $29.52 - $34.95 Hourly DOE

Grant: Grant Funded

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00AM-4:30PM; evenings and weekends may be required based on program need.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

The ICSS Senior Tribal Representative provides specialized case management, child welfare advocacy, prevention, and coordination services to tribal families and children. The position serves as a designated representative of participating Tribes in child welfare matters and works collaboratively with County Child and Family Well-Being, courts, attorneys, services provers, behavioral health professionals, and other community partners to promote child safety, family preservation, reunification, and compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA).

The position provides advanced case consultation and support to ICSS Case Managers, assists with complex or high-risk cases, and supports coordination between ICSS staff, Tribal representatives, County partners, and community agencies. 

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The ICSS Senior Tribal Representative maintains a caseload of families and face-to-face contacts with the youth and family. 

1. The ICSS Senior Tribal Representative serves as a designated Tribal Representative in child welfare matters involving children and families affiliated with participating Tribes, including dependency proceedings, investigations, case planning, placement, reunification, and permanency. 

2. Represent and communicate the Tribe’s position and recommendations during child welfare proceedings Child and Family Team meetings, multidisciplinary meetings, case consultations, and other formal case-planning processes, as authorized by the Tribe. 

3. Monitor compliance with ICWA, including active efforts, placement preferences, Tribal notification and participation, culturally appropriate services, and efforts to prevent unnecessary removal of Indian Children.

4. Maintain as assigned caseload while providing advanced case management and consultation for complex, high-risk, or court-involved families.

5. Accompany County Child and Family Well-Being staff during investigations, interviews, home visits, forensic interviews, and other child welfare activities involving Tribal children and families. 

6. Conduct comprehensive assessments of family strengths, safety concerns, immediate needs, natural supports, cultural connections, and barriers to family stability and develop individualized service plans. 

7. Coordinate and advocate for services related to behavioral health, substance use treatment, domestic violence, parenting, housing support, transportation referrals, basic needs, medical care, education, and other identified needs. 

8. Participate in dependency court proceedings and track court orders, case-plan requirements, reunification timelines, placement issues, and permanency outcomes. 

9. Provide case consultation, guidance, and support to ICSS case managers, particularly regarding ICWA, Tribal protocols, complex child welfare cases, court proceedings, and community resources. 

10. Develop and support culturally responsive safety plans and prevention strategies intended to safely maintain children within their families, extended families, Tribes, and communities. 

11. Participate in community outreach, prevention activities, trainings, and presentations related to ICWA, Tribal child welfare, family preservation, and ICSS services. 

12. Maintain ongoing communication with Tribal leadership. Designated Tribal representatives regarding significant case developments and obtain Tribal direction when necessary. 

13. Assist the ICSS Program Coordinator with staff training, case reviews, quality assurance, program procedures, and implementation of ICSS/ICWA practice standards. 

14. Must monitor the provision and quality of services provided to the family as the liaison when new services/resources need to be sought or developed. 

15. Provide crisis intervention and coordinate emergency resources, including placement, transportation, shelter, food, clothing, and other immediate family needs. 

16. Ensure timely, accurate, and confidential documentation of case activity, services, court involvement, outcomes, and grant-related requirements. 

17. Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with County staff, Tribal programs, attorneys, courts, behavioral health providers, schools, law enforcement, and community based organizations.

18. Participate in program data collection, reporting, quality improvement, and monitoring of grant objectives and deliverables. 

19. May provide coverage, consultation, or direction to ICSS staff in the absence of the Program Coordinator, within the scope of delegated authority. 

20. Maintain professional conduct, confidentiality, cultural humility, and respectful engagement with Tribal families, Tribal governments, and partner agencies. 

21. Must dress professionally and conduct themselves in a respectful manner and demeanor at all times. 

22. Ability to manage time effectively.

23. Duties may necessitate availability during after-hours.

24. Follow the project narrative, budget, and all terms and conditions of the awarded grant.

25. Complies with all SIHC policies & procedures.

26. Ability to work flexible schedule may be required based on need.

27. Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or other Behavioral Science field preferred. Have comprehensive experience working with children, youth and families. Education, training, and/or experience, which clearly demonstrates possession of the knowledge and skills stated above. 

Applicant must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Must be familiar and comfortable using computer programs including Microsoft Office components or equivalent. Applicant must be able to demonstrate past success in working with multi-cultural communities, preferably Native American. Possess the ability to work with tribal officials, county agencies, tribal community members, funding agencies, and all Southern Indian Health Council departments. 

Applicant must be able to adapt to changing situations and circumstances and handle pressure with dignity, in all circumstances maintaining confidentiality. Possess an ability to act professionally at all times in the workplace and community. Must be able to work flexible hours as required to meet department needs and work collaboratively in a team approach.

Licenses/Certifications: A valid driver license required at the time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment. Applicant must be insurable under SIHC vehicle insurance policy at the time of hire and throughout employment. Certifications and/or licenses appropriate to the positions required education and profession must also be valid and maintained.

Character: Applicants must have a reputation for honesty and trustworthiness. Must be responsible and able to exercise good judgment, accept administrative supervision, pay attention to detail, follow instructions, including the ability to interact effectively and communicate with people in a professional and courteous manner. Must be highly confidential and respect confidentiality to all limits of the governing laws and ethics. Applicant must be able to work as a team with other staff. Applicant should be sensitive to client’s needs and knowledgeable about the local Indian community. 

Skills: Strong team building, interpersonal, and organizational skills. Ability to establish and maintain effective peer relationships with coworkers within the Department, clinic-wide, and the public. Must be able to express ideas clearly, concisely, address audiences effectively, and exercise balanced judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions. Willing to be part of a team and cooperate in accomplishing department goals and objectives. Ability to prioritize, meet deadlines, take initiative, be proactive, and function in a rapidly changing environment. Ability to work with people of all social and ethnic backgrounds, resolves conflicts, negotiates situations, and facilitates consensus.

Physical and Personal Requirements: Normal clinic/office environment. Sit or stand for long periods of time. Reach, bend, climb, stoop, lift up to 25 lbs. repetitive hand movement; use and view PC. Reliable transportation and car insurance as required by the state. Travel as needed.

Compliance: Each employee plays a key role in creating a compliance culture at SIHC. Employees are expected to learn and comply with all SIHC policies and procedures. One must have the ability to understand the implications and complexities of all compliance policies. Participation in all compliance training is mandatory, and generally has a heightened awareness of policies and regulations that are specific to one’s department and position. All SIHC employees are expected to report violations or suspected violations of compliance policies or regulations.

Other: Applicants should have thorough knowledge of the laws, rules, and regulations governing substance abuse treatment, patient records, and reporting procedures. Applicant must be versed in crisis intervention techniques and the cultural practices of Native Americans. 

Applicants must successfully pass a tuberculin skin test or x-ray, and blood/urine screening test. Health must be adequate to perform all duties of the position. Applicants must complete an SIHC application and submit it to Human Resources. 

INDIAN PREFERENCE: 

INDIAN PREFERENCE: In the filling of any SIHC job vacancy, preference may be given to qualified Native American Indians, pursuant to the Indian Preference Hiring Act, 25 USC 472, unless other laws require the filling of a vacancy without regard to Indian preference (e.g. Public Law (P.L.) 94-437, “Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA). To receive Indian preference for any SIHC position, the applicant must be enrolled, or be eligible for enrollment, as an American Indian with their Tribe, or must be certified as an American Indian from the designated Tribal Representative. Applicants claiming Indian preference must attach verification of their claim to the SIHC application, including Certification of form BIA-4432, which is available from the SIHC Human Resources Department. If verification is not or cannot be verified, the applicant will not receive Indian preference for purposes of the interview.