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Chief Executive Officer

Indian Health Service · Department of Health and Human Services

PermanentFull-timeSecurity clearance required
Salary
$172,476 – $197,200/yr
Pay grade
GS 15
Openings
1
Posted
Jun 17, 2026
Closes
Closes in 2 days

Summary

Join the Fort Yuma Service Unit in Winterhaven, California, a Joint Commission/AAAHC-accredited ambulatory care center providing comprehensive outpatient, pediatric, and specialty services. Located near the scenic Colorado River and rich cultural heritage, this position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a collaborative healthcare environment while supporting quality patient care across the Service Unit.

Duties

  • Develops, establishes, and directs the implementation of execution of and compliance with overall Agency policies and procedures for the administration and operation of a healthcare delivery system.
  • Identifies the changing needs of the beneficiary population and initiates program improvements and modifications to align with the needs to achieve Agency goals and objectives.
  • Works in concert with Tribal governments and Tribal health departments in planning and implementing overall health care policies and systems.
  • Supervision and management of staff, activities, and workflow including timeline adherence, training on job responsibilities, workforce development, performance management, and ongoing support.
  • Provides orientation of key personnel to tribal partnership building and political acumen and collaboration with other federal agencies, private sector, and state officials.

A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.


BASIC REQUIREMENT(S):
Individual Occupational Requirements
Education: Undergraduate or graduate education with a major study in hospital administration, public health administration, or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration; OR
Experience: Progressively responsible analytical or administrative, or clinical management or supervisory experience in the health care field. This work may have been performed in an operating health care facility or a higher organizational echelon with advisory or directional authority over such facilities. Work must have involved a close working relationship with facility managers and analysis and/or coordination of administrative, clinical, or other service activities, and provided knowledge of the following:

  • Missions, organizations, programs, and requirements of health care delivery systems;
  • Regulations and standards of various regulatory and credentialing groups; and
  • Government-wide, agency, and facility systems and requirements in various administrative areas such as budget, personnel, and procurement.
Applicant must also possess:
  • Management ability to delegate authority, evaluate and oversee people and programs, recognize and adapt to changing priorities; and
  • Knowledge of the interrelationships and interdependencies among various medical and administrative services and programs.
Special Provision for Inservice Placement: Successful complete of an agency-sponsored on-the-job training program may be substituted for qualifying experience, provided it included a formal individualized training plan. Such a training program must have been conducted in an operating health care system and included:
  • Assignments providing a knowledge of basic health system administration philosophies, practices, and procedures, and basic government administrative policies and requirements;
  • Practical assignments providing an opportunity to apply health system administration skills and principles (as the individual progresses, work assignments must be characteristic of the grade level to which he or she is assigned); and
  • Oversight by an experienced health system administrator with periodic evaluation of the individual's progress and appropriate adjustment of the training program.
In addition to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Working in clinical systems and healthcare management focusing in a hospital and/or ambulatory health care environment; Working with requirements of various regulatory and credentialing groups to assure regulatory compliance; Develops, establishes, and directs the implementation, execution of, and compliance with overall Agency policies and procedures for the administration and operation of a healthcare delivery system; Value-minded with experience implementing patient centered models and practices, by reducing operation and care delivery costs and; Leadership engagement and focus that drive improvements, safe and quality patient care, and saves money; Application of the science of improvement and innovation, encompassing new models for redesigning care systems for efficiency and effectiveness; experience and application of change management theories and principles. Leadership experience with people in meeting the organizational vision, mission and goals. Creates an environment of learning and teamwork.

Time In Grade
Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP).

You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

Education

You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer.

Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://www.ed.gov/accreditation.

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Requirements

Selectee may be subject to a probationary period
ESEP appointees typically serve a two year trial period
U.S. Citizenship is required
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959

This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630, requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes.

A one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period may be required upon selection/placement.

Confidential Financial Disclosure Form required.

Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/.

You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.

Background Investigation Requirement:

This position requires the successful completion of a federal background investigation as a condition of employment.

A background investigation is a standard process used by the Federal Government to verify an individual's identity, employment history, education, and other relevant information to determine suitability for Federal service.

Upon receipt of instructions, applicants must complete all required background investigation forms within five (5) calendar days of issuance. Timely completion is critical to avoid delays in processing or a determination of unsuitability.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize this requirement and to maintain regular communication with their assigned Personnel Security Specialist throughout the process.

Financial Suitability Requirement:

This position requires a review of the applicant's financial history as part of the personnel security and suitability determination. Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility, maintain good standing with creditors, and satisfy all legal financial obligations prior to applying.

Individuals with substantial delinquent or unresolved financial obligations-including, but not limited to, delinquent federal or state tax liabilities, defaulted federal student loans, court-ordered fines or fees, or child support arrears-may be deemed unsuitable for employment with the Indian Health Service (IHS).

Prior to the appointment, candidates must present two valid forms of identification. If one of the documents is a state-issued ID or driver's license, it must be REAL ID-compliant.

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