Cultural Counselor

Definition

Under general supervision of the Division Chief for Outpatient Services acts as the primary point-of-contact for the Behavioral Health Services department cultural programming to primarily include O'odham and Piipaash cultural services, events, demonstrations, groups, and special interest presentations for clients (children and adults), staff, and department teams. Works to create an O'Odham and Piipaash cultural presence in the Behavioral Health Services department and as an integral part of the therapeutic and healing process. This position promotes awareness and preservation of the O'Odham and Piipaash cultures as an integral part of the SRPMIC. This job class is treated as FLSA Non-Exempt.

Essential Functions : Essential functions may vary among positions and may include the following tasks and other characteristics. This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of tasks performed by all positions in this classification.

Examples of Tasks

1. Programming : Supports the department's cultural programming and champions the cultural preservation of the O'Odham Piipaash within and on behalf of the Behavioral Health Services department.

• Researches and strategizes cultural programming with department leadership on the best approach to ensure a respectful and dignified environment is maintained with the utmost importance given to O'Odham Piipaash values.
• Maintains a calendar of cultural classes, events, and activities for reference by all.
• Serves as a liaison between the department and external cultural resources that can assist with program objectives. And provides culturally related services on behalf of the Behavioral Health Services department to the Community at large, departments of the SRPMIC, and other Native Nations as requested.
• Obtains through public meetings and other methods, information and input from seniors, elders, and adults with adaptive needs throughout the SRPMIC regarding O'Odham Piipaash history, future, culture, values, language, social events, and awareness of other culturally-related matters that directly affect their lives, well-being, and identity.
• Coordinates and implements Community outreach efforts. This may include setting up a display table at meetings, conferences, and any other relevant community events to provide brochures and other promotional/informational items for distribution.
• Works to build a network of program-relevant resources and services available to tribal members.
• Works to establish cultural hospitality standards for the department when hosting different SRPMIC staff, SRPMIC leadership, cultural presenters, traditional food practitioners, artists, and musicians.

2. Service Delivery : Performs individual, group and family cultural counseling services for adolescents and adults.

• Receives internal referrals for clients seeking individual or family cultural counseling to supplement their existing treatment plan.
• Receives internal referrals for clients to participate in cultural and/or traditional focused group sessions.
• Is available to provide brief culturally-focused interventions such as smudging as needed and/or appropriate.

3. Cultural Representation: Works continually with department leadership and the Health & Human Services Public Relations and Media team to ensure cultural elements are present and implemented tastefully and respectfully on all media channels from the Behavioral Health Services Department.

• May attend Public Relations and Media meetings as needed to be aware of cultural needs for departmental public relations endeavors.
• May provide guidance on culturally related content used on all departmental media.
• Reaches out to community subject-matter-experts for any questions, clarification, and details on cultural matters as needed.
• Offers ideas on incorporating O'Odham Piipaash philosophies and concepts into workplace functions and activities, such as team meetings, team-building events, employee acknowledgments, team appreciation events, and other social and staff morale-building activities.

4. Research and Documentation: Maintains accurate and timely records of program fundamentals.

• Creates a detailed record to track all programming activities.
• Conducts related research to enhance presentations and program effectiveness.
• Maintains a Resource guide of presenters, demonstrators, and other presenters for future reference.
• Continually seeks out and identifies Community Members with traditional skills willing to assist with the cultural enrichment efforts of Behavioral Health Services.

5. Miscellaneous: Performs other job-related duties as assigned by Behavioral Health Services leadership.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics:

• Knowledge of the customs, culture, traditions, laws and traditions of the SRPMIC.
• Knowledge, understanding and ability to communicate in the O'Odham and/or Piipaash languages.
• Knowledge and understanding of language and cultural related history and contemporary issues of the SRPMIC.
• Knowledge of courtesies, customs, and traditions of Community Elders and similar demographic groups within and outside the Community.
• Knowledge of professional ethics relating to historical and cultural information gathering.
• Knowledge of general policies, procedures and standards followed in substance abuse and general mental health treatment programs.
• Knowledge of general crisis stabilization methods and strategies.

• Skill with effective research, organization, compilation, presentation public communication and general training methods.
• Skill with verbal presentation and written communication.
• Skill with cultural flexibility and representing both O'Odham and Piipaash languages and cultures.
• Skill developing an effective outreach program to support the cultural presentation process.
• Skill in work management including maintaining confidentiality and managing service delivery.
• Skill gathering, organizing, and presenting statistics related to the program.
• Skill in delivering exemplary customer service.

• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals and large groups.
• Ability to "network" and establish close working relationships with various Elders, historical demographic groups and other persons of cultural and historical significance.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive and effective working relationships with all levels of the Department, Tribal Government and Community.
• Ability to promote program objectives, develop measurable outcomes and provide services in accordance with program objectives.
• Ability to recognize and develop specialized responses to client's alcohol, substance abuse and mental health needs.
• Ability to work with a variety of populations and clinical disorders.
• Ability to use a personal computer including MS Office software.
• Ability to develop, maintain and improve a record of contacts and gathered information.
• Ability to use standard office equipment.
• Ability to lift and carry 45 lbs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Graduation from High School or a GED equivalent required.
• Enrolled Community Members without a GED must obtain a GED within the probationary period. Requires participation in the HR GED Program and successful completion of the Arizona state certified exam in order to continue employment with SRPMIC.
• A Bachelor's Degree or higher in a behavioral health related field is highly preferred.
• Experience: Demonstrated knowledge of the O'Odham and/or Piipaash culture and practical application of proper and acceptable cultural protocols is required.
• At least two (2) years of work experience in a behavioral health setting highly preferred.
• Experience working with Elders and traditional cultural practitioners is highly preferred.
• Equivalency: Any equivalent combination of education and experience that will allow the applicant to satisfactorily perform the duties of the job may be considered.
  
• Underfill Eligibility: An enrolled Community Member whom closely qualifies for the minimum qualifications for a position may be considered for employment under SRPMIC Policy 2-19, Underfill
  

Special Requirements

• May be required to work beyond normal work hours including nights, weekends and holidays. May be required to travel.
• Due to the confidential nature of the job, are required to pass an extensive background fingerprint clearance, drug testing and SRPMIC credentialing.
• Employees in, and applicants applying for, jobs providing direct services to children are subject to the "Community Code of Ordinances", Chapter 11, "Minors", Article X. "Investigation of Persons Working With Children".

Prior to hire as an employee, applicants will be subject to drug and alcohol testing. Will be required to pass a pre-employment background/fingerprint check. Employees are subject to random drug and alcohol testing.

"SRPMIC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer" Preference will be given to a qualified : Community Member Veteran, Community Member, Spouse of Community Member, qualified Native American, and then other qualified candidate.

In order to obtain preference, the following is required: 1) Qualified Community Member Veteran (DD-214) will be required at the time of application submission 2) Qualified Community Member (must provide Tribal I.D at time of application submission),3) Spouse of a Community Member (Marriage License/certificate and spouse Tribal ID or CIB is required at time of application submission), and 4) Native American (Tribal ID or CIB required at time of application submission).

Documents may be submitted by one of the following methods:

1) attach to application

2) fax (480) 362-5860

3) mail or hand deliver to Human Resources.

Documentation must be received by position closing date.

The IHS/BIA Form-4432 is not accepted .

Your Tribal ID/CIB must be submitted to HR-Recruitment-Two Waters.