Social Worker in Billings, Montana at Akicita Federal, LLC

Akicita Federal is hiring a Social Worker to protect children and support vulnerable community members through direct case management services for the Bureau of Indian Affairs Northern Cheyenne Agency in Lame Deer, Montana. In this role, you will serve as a frontline child welfare and protection professional embedded within a tribal community, making critical decisions that directly impact the safety and well-being of children and families. This is meaningful, challenging work that requires both professional expertise and genuine commitment to serving Native American communities.

- Receive and respond to child endangerment and child protection referrals, conducting interviews, home visits, and collateral contacts to assess safety and determine appropriate interventions.

- Government vehicle provided for all field visits

- Assess current or impending danger to children and execute safety interventions up to and including removal, completing all required placement documentation and notifying guardians and supervisors promptly.

- File affidavits and petitions in tribal court within 72 hours of a child removal and provide testimony at court hearings in coordination with tribal law and order code.

- Coordinate transportation and placement arrangements for children, including medical screenings prior to initial placement, utilizing tribe-licensed and state-licensed providers.

- Conduct thorough criminal and child welfare background checks on all household members aged 18 and over prior to kinship or relative placements.

- Integrate historical records, direct investigation findings, and interview data into comprehensive family and child functioning assessments, documenting all activity in the FASS-CMS case management system and submitting case notes to supervisors within 48 hours.

- Collaborate with law enforcement, tribal court staff, shelter providers, and human services agencies to coordinate care, and provide direct services related to adult protection, Indian child welfare, and Individual Indian Monies (IIM) account case management.

- Bachelor's degree in Social Work or a related field (required)

- Experience in child welfare, child protective services, or a closely related social services field

- Valid driver's license with a clean driving record for the previous 3 years

- Ability to pass a thorough criminal and child abuse background check in accordance with the Native American Child Safety Act prior to starting work

- Availability to work a standard 40-hour week (MondayFriday) with participation in a rotating after-hours and weekend on-call schedule

- Ability to obtain housing within 30 miles of the reservation to support timely emergency response while on call

- Proficiency or ability to quickly learn cloud-based case management software (FASS-CMS)

What sets candidates apart:

- Master's degree in Social Work (MSW) or a related field

- Prior experience working with Native American communities or within a tribal social services program

- Familiarity with Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) principles and tribal court processes

- Experience managing Individual Indian Monies (IIM) cases or adult protection services

- Comfort working in a remote, rural environment with limited local resources and a high degree of professional autonomy

About Akicita FederalAkicita Federal is a Native American-owned federal contractor delivering healthcare, clinical, IT, and program-support services across the Indian Health Service, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and other federal agencies. We hire the people who do the work clinicians, analysts, engineers, support staff and we treat them like the professionals they are.

Equal Opportunity EmployerAkicita Federal is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Akicita Federal complies with the Indian Preference provisions of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (P.L. 93-638) where applicable.