Cultural Specialist

SUMMARY: The Cultural Specialist will provide planning, development, and direction of the implementation of Omaha Language and cultural services consisting of assessment, evaluation, coaching and/or teaching. The Cultural Specialist will provide direct cultural services during scheduled events and activities, engaging participants with Omaha culture and activities designed to enhance their cultural identity and competence. The Cultural Specialist will assist practitioners, CFS workers and Tribal Court staff with interventions and initial interviews, screening, assessments, orientations, and surveys. The Cultural Specialist will provide or arrange for, direct and support culturally relevant intervention and support services for clients seeking treatment and/or recovery for Opioid and other substance abuse including children, youth, and families that are court ordered, referred or self-referred.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and/or RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

• Assist in providing intake and orientation for clients seeking treatment and/or recovery services for Opioid and other substance abuse.
• Provide cultural assessments for clients seeking treatment and/or recovery activities.
• Works with assigned CFS and/or Tribal Court staff to provide cultural support services for clients with court-ordered services.
• Provide culturally based services within a trauma-informed and trauma-focused manner.
• Provision of intensive, integrated cultural activity planning, integrating Omaha culture into group, family, and individual services and activities.
• Provides co-workers and partnering staff with ideas, concerns, and suggestions in developing cultural events and activities to include cultural approaches and methods of services, and healing designed to increase cultural strengths and to meet the identified cultural needs of participants.
• Assist in case planning and implementing cultural elements of outreach/recovery/education programs, support workshops and activities.
• Will work with the CFS Case workers as well as therapy providers and practitioners to blend Western and Omaha cultural approach.
• Will assist community members and partnering programs in preparation of participating in scheduled Omaha cultural activities and healing practices.
• Will work with Medicine People to provide specific Omaha ceremonies prescribed for healing, sickness, adverse life occurrence or blessings.
• Will assess and evaluate Omaha families engaged with CFS or the Tribal Court for trauma issues to see what the Omaha core belief level of the family is in regards to the current family functioning.
• Will administer client satisfaction surveys and work to develop cultural assessment tools to determine levels of cultural knowledge and functioning of participants.
• Will work to develop an Omaha Lifestyle Curriculum and workbook to integrate the Medicine Wheel toolkit to include Omaha Beliefs and values concerning familial relationships and responsibilities.
• Will be responsible for coordinating client records including ensuring client privacy and confidentiality.
• Will plan, organize and lead structured cultural activities as part of the clients established case plan including integration of community events and activities.
• Will work directly with volunteers and assist them in engaging the community participants to collect data and information pertinent to Department services and activities.
• Provide group and individual services primary to educating youth and their families on Omaha cultural practices, history, Hu'Thuga and other related topics.
• Prepare and maintain all required client records and reports.
• Develop and implement cultural specific activities and services for participants within their individualized case plans based on experience and knowledge.
• Work within the reservation communities to engage participants in a healthier lifestyle.
• Modify case plan activities and approaches as needed in order to comply with changes in participant's status or needs.
• Evaluate participant's progress based on review of information.
• Refer participants to community resources or to specialists as necessary.
• Meet with families, probation officers, police, and other interested parties in order to exchange necessary information during assisting with the case management process.
Maintain program records and data for building a statistical data base system.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the duties.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Five to ten (5-10) years' experience working directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified and in working with Omaha people.
• Must have strong working understanding of Omaha Culture, tribal systems, and tribal referral process.
• Must possess quality computer skills
Must possess strong public speaking skills, able to provide community lectures and education on Omaha culture and substance abuse.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, and/or REGISTRATIONS:

• Must pass a Nebraska Child Abuse/Neglect Central Registry check and Nebraska Adult Protection Service Central Registry.
• Must comply with the Omaha Tribe's Drug Free Policy.
• Must have a valid drivers' license, must be insurable.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and/or ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the Omaha Tribal Cultural practices, some knowledge of Omaha Tribal language, knowledge of the Omaha Tribal clanship.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of all cases and program information.