Current Job Openings

Announcement # 2023-079

Issue Date: 04-17-23

Closing Date: 05-05-23

Tribal Health Officer

Tribal Health Department

Hourly Wage: $45.15-$51.79 / Regular / Full-Time / Supervisory

YN Tribal Health Officer applies knowledge of general preventive medicine and public health issues to promote health care to groups or individuals, as well as, aid in the prevention or reduction of risk of: disease, injury, disability, or death. The Tribal health officer’s focus will be on the overall health of communities instead of treating individual patients. This position will be used to educate the public on specific health risks and basic healthy living strategies. As the Deputy Director will supervise the current Department of health program managers and will help create programs that encourage healthier lifestyles and minimize the risk of illness, disease, and infection. Plans, coordinates, and directs activities of the Department of health programs Nutrition, Behavioral Health, Alcoholism (Tiináwit), WIC (Women, Infant, Children), Latisha Dental (KI’IIS), Diabetes (Wak ishwi), MCH (Maternal Child Health), Home Health, White Swan Ambulance and Health Clinic, and Purchased Referred Care and CHR(Community Health Representative). Ensures administration of programs is in accordance with established policies, regulations, ordinances, and resolutions of policies to achieve Departments mission, goals, and objectives. Helps facilitate function, activities, and operations between Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Indian Health Service (IHS), and Tribal government. Oversees program budgets, grants and contracts.

Examples of Work Performed:

  • The Tribal Health Officer is authorized to use the powers and procedures set forth under RYC 20.02-Public Health Powers to prevent the spread of communicable disease and protect the health and safety of Yakama Nation community members.
  • The Tribal Health Officer is empowered to receive reports of any events that may indicate the existence of a case or outbreak of an illness, condition, or health hazard that may have been caused by communicable disease or chemical agent(s).
  • The Tribal Health Officer will work under the CDC guidelines and recommendations, which are grounded in science and evidence-based practice.
  • The Tribal Health Officer must have an understanding of the CDC strategic framework and priorities as it relates to tribal nations. The role of the Tribal Health Officer is to establish public health measures of health, safety, and security threats whereby protecting lives on behalf of the Yakama Nation.
  • The Tribal Health Officer is authorized to examine, review, and obtain a copy of records containing Protected Health Information, or a summary of pertinent portions of those records, that pertain to a report authorized by or required in this Title. The Tribal Health Officer shall review and determine appropriate action for: i) Each reported case or suspected case of a notifiable condition; ii) Any disease or condition considered a threat to public health: and iii) Each reported outbreak or suspected outbreak of disease, requesting assistance from local, state, and Federal agencies in carrying out investigations when necessary.
  • The Tribal Health Officer is authorized to inform community members how to protect themselves during a Public Health Emergency and what actions are being taken to control the emergency.
  • The Tribal Health Officer shall provide information by all available and reasonable means calculated to bring the information to the attention of community members.
  • The Tribal Health Officer is empowered to notify the Yakama Nation’s law enforcement officers so that they may enforce orders authorized under this Title, particularly when individuals fail to abide by such orders.
  • The Tribal Health Officer, with Yakama Nation Tribal Council approval, may seek agreements as necessary with local governments, federal authorities, tribal organizations, private entities, state agencies, or institutions of higher education to coordinate or provide public health activities to prevent the spread of communicable disease or contamination.
  • The Tribal Health Officer shall establish, in consultation with the Yakama Nation Tribal Council, health care providers, health facilities, emergency management personnel, Yakama Nation law enforcement, and any other entity they deem necessary: plans, policies, and procedures for instituting emergency measure necessary to prevent the spread of communicable disease or contamination.
  • The Tribal Health Officer may delegate his or her authority to one or more Health Care Providers employed by the Yakama Nation. Such delegation must be in writing and authorized by the Tribal Administrative Director.
  • Prepares monthly and annual reports for the department to the Tribal Administrator, Tribal Council, and General Council. Oversees and maintains reporting deadlines.
  • Conducts monthly program manager meetings to go over activities, collaboration, and issues of concern.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Knowledge of design or use surveillance tools, such as screening, lab reports, and vital records, to identify health risks.
  • Ability to develop or implement interventions to address behavioral causes of diseases.
  • Ability to direct or manage prevention programs in specialty areas such as aerospace, occupational, infectious disease, and environmental medicine.
  • Ability to evaluate the effectiveness of prescribed risk reduction measures or other interventions.
  • Ability to identify groups at risk for specific preventable diseases or injuries.
  • Ability to perform epidemiological investigations of acute and chronic diseases.
  • Ability to coordinate or integrate the resources of health care institutions, social service agencies, public safety workers, or other organizations to improve the community health.
  • Ability to deliver presentations to lay or professional audiences.
  • Ability to prepare preventive health reports including problem descriptions, analyses, alternative solutions, and recommendations.
  • Ability to supervise or coordinate the work of physicians, nurses, statisticians, or other professional staff members.
  • Ability to teach or train medical staff regarding preventive medicine issues.
  • Ability to provide information about potential health hazards and possible interventions to the media, the public, other health care professionals, or local state, and federal health authorities.
  • Ability to design, implement, or evaluate health services delivery systems to improve the health of targeted populations.
  • Ability to direct public health education programs dealing with topics such as preventable diseases, injuries, nutrition, food service sanitation, immunizations, insect control, water supply safety, sewage and waste disposal.
  • Ability to document or review comprehensive patients’ histories with an emphasis on occupation or environmental risks.

Minimum Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Medicine, Behavioral Science/Health Education, Biostatistics, Emergency Medical Services, Environmental Health, Epidemiology, Microbiology, Health Services Administration/Management, International/Global Health, Maternal and Child Health, Nutrition or related field.
  • At least 5 years of previous work experience as a Public or Tribal Health Officer or related position.
  • Required to pass a pre-employment drug test.
  • Required to pass pre-employment background check.
  • Must possess a valid WA State Driver’s License with ability to obtain a Yakama Nation Driver’s Permit.
  • Required to be on call 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
  • Must understand the position, and consider the impact on personal lifestyle and family.
  • Yakama enrolled preference, but all qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

The following qualities and abilities are required:

  • Public Health principles and practice
  • Act as a change agent
  • Effective communication and presentation skills
  • Strategic planning
  • Management and leadership
  • Research and analyzing data

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS: The Yakama Nation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT DRUG TEST: Is required for Pre-Employment with the Yakama Nation. During employment, tribal employees are also subject to random testing (YN Personnel Policy Manual, Chapter 2.9.6, Section (a), (g), Alcohol and Drug-Free Workplace Policy).

TRAINEE: The Yakama Nation reserves the right to practice Indian Preference by selecting an Indian applicant as a trainee at a reduced pay rate than announced. A training plan is developed to assist employee to reach required qualification requirements and performance level. After completing training plan, work performance will be evaluated. Upon satisfying qualification requirements, employee will obtain entry level pay.

INDIAN PREFERENCE: In efforts to practice Self-Determination, the Yakama Nation grants Indian Preference for employment, promotions, and transfers to its employees and qualified applicants as appropriate. This may limit career opportunities for non-Indian applicants and candidates.

Preference for employment will be granted to qualified individuals meeting minimal qualification criteria in the following order pursuant to the YN Personnel Policy Manual Section 2.1.3:

  • 10-points= Enrolled member of Yakama Nation.
  • 8-points= Indian (enrolled) spouse of an enrolled Yakama member.
  • 6-points= Other Indian (member of a federally recognized tribe).
  • 8-points= Indian (enrolled) descendant of enrolled Yakama member.
  • 2-points= Non-Indian spouse of an enrolled Yakama member.
  • 0-points= Non-Indian.

Personnel Policy Manual Section 2.1.4:

  • Positions funded under non-638 federal funding: 8-points= Indian (member of a federally recognized tribe).

VETERAN PREFERENCE: Is pursuant to Section 402 of the Vietnam Era Veteran’s Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974. For verification, must provide a copy of honorable DD-214.

Application points using the weighted point factor system: Disabled Veterans receive 10 points; All other Veteran’s receive 5 points.

IMMIGRATION: If selected for employment with the Yakama Nation, you will be required to provide documentation stating you are authorized to work in the United States.

SELECTIVE SERVICE: All males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service. To our knowledge, you may sign up at the U.S. Postal Service in your local area.

TO APPLY: https://yakama.isolvedhire.com/ Yakama Nation Human Resources, P. O. BOX 151, Toppenish WA 98948.

Phone: (509) 865-5121, X4387, X4833. Fax: (509) 865-8777 email: [email protected]

If you are mailing or faxing application, please state Job Announcement No. on your cover sheet.

Questions, please call the YN Human Resource Office.

Please follow this link

For more information

Lucille Whitesell
509-865-5121 Ext.4833
[email protected]

Jenny Sumner
509-865-5121 Ext.4387
[email protected]

To apply for open positions, please follow this link

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