748job United States

Dental Hygienist

Department of Health and Human Services › Indian Health Service (207 current openings)

Who may apply

Limited to the following applicant groups:

  • Veterans
  • Individuals with disabilities
  • Native Americans
  • Military spouses
  • Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista
  • Family of overseas employees
  • Federal employees - Competitive service
  • Federal employees - Excepted service
  • Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
  • Land and base management
El Reno, Oklahoma Crow Agency, Montana Wakpala, South Dakota Cochiti Pueblo, New Mexico Kyle, South Dakota Fort Yates, North Dakota Belcourt, North Dakota Thoreau, New Mexico Lawton, Oklahoma Zia Indian Reservation, New Mexico Gallup, New Mexico Sisseton, South Dakota Harlem, Montana Acoma, New Mexico Martin, South Dakota Carnegie, Oklahoma Hays, Montana Clinton, Oklahoma Albuquerque, New Mexico Salem, Oregon Lower Brule, South Dakota Poplar, Montana Zuni, New Mexico Cherokee, North Carolina Bullhead, South Dakota Cannon Ball, North Dakota Wolf Point, Montana Rock Hill, South Carolina Pawnee, Oklahoma Elko, Nevada Heart Butte, Montana Wewoka, Oklahoma Wanblee, South Dakota San Felipe Pueblo, New Mexico Ponemah, Minnesota McLaughlin, South Dakota Lodge Grass, Montana Pine Ridge, South Dakota Dulce, New Mexico Shiprock, New Mexico Browning, Montana Winnebago, Nebraska Red Lake, Minnesota Warm Springs, Oregon Crownpoint, New Mexico Mobridge, South Dakota Manlius, New York Fort Thompson, South Dakota Sanostee, New Mexico Bernalillo, New Mexico Lockport, New York Pryor, Montana Anadarko, Oklahoma Mescalero, New Mexico Lame Deer, Montana Espanola, New Mexico Manderson, South Dakota Watonga, Oklahoma Wadsworth, Nevada Ponsford, Minnesota Naytahwaush, Minnesota Tohatchi, New Mexico Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico San Fidel, New Mexico Cuba, New Mexico Rosebud, South Dakota Santa Fe, New Mexico Toadlena, New Mexico Moapa, Nevada Bloomfield, New Mexico Wagner, South Dakota Taos, New Mexico McNary, Arizona Mashpee, Massachusetts Nespelem, Washington Inscription House, Arizona Indian Neck, Virginia Madison Heights, Virginia Towaoc, Colorado Maricopa, Arizona Sacaton, Arizona Forks, Washington Charles City, Virginia Chinle, Arizona Suffolk, Virginia Camp Verde, Arizona Wellpinit, Washington Aylett, Virginia Fort Hall, Idaho Richmond, Virginia Providence Forge, Virginia Whiteriver, Arizona Winterhaven, California Havasu Lake, California Lawrence, Kansas Polacca, Arizona Kayenta, Arizona Toppenish, Washington Hemet, California Auburn, Washington Pinon, Arizona Supai, Arizona Wapato, Washington Riverside, California White Swan, Washington Peach Springs, Arizona Cass Lake, Minnesota Spokane, Washington Davis, California Fort Duchesne, Utah Red Mesa, Arizona Parker, Arizona Cibecue, Arizona Phoenix, Arizona Tsaile, Arizona
Multiple Schedules Security Clearance: Other
Application Deadline:
2026-09-30
Posted:
2026-07-15
Apply on usajobs.gov
Salary: $37,193 – $47,334 per year (GS-4)

Salary context

Based on 27 annual-salary jobs in the same occupational series. This role pays below most similar positions.

Job Details

Position Overview

At the Indian Health Service, Dental Hygienists do more than support oral care. Guided by our mission to improve the health of American Indian and Alaska Native people, you will help deliver safe and effective dental services while creating healthy smiles, restoring confidence, and promoting overall wellness in the communities we serve.

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

Duties

Total Compensation Package - Check out IHS's outstanding total compensation package for this job:
Dental Hygienist Total Compensation | Pay (ihs.gov)
  • Provide a full range of dental hygiene care and patient education for a variety of dental conditions.
  • Plan and administer a preventive dentistry program, providing comprehensive oral health education and hygiene treatment.
  • Perform prophylactic procedures, conduct oral health assessments, take and interprets radiographs, and provide tailored oral health education.
  • Apply caries-preventive agents, desensitization, root planning, temporary restorations, impressions, suture removal, and home-care instruction.
  • Administers local anesthesia under close supervision of the dentist.
  • Assists the dentist by smoothing and polishing restorations, reducing sharp edges, inserting temporary fillings, and making minor repairs.

Qualifications & Requirements

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):
License: Applicants for all grade levels must be currently licensed to practice as dental hygienists in a State or territory of the United States or
the District of Columbia.
Radiological Certification: Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiological procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75. Essentially, they must (1) have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in that regulation and is accredited by an organization recognized by the Department of Education, and (2) be certified as radiographers in their field. The following meet these requirements:
1. Persons employed by the Federal Government as radiological personnel prior to the effective date of the regulation (January 13, 1986) who show evidence of current or fully satisfactory performance or certification of such from a licensed practitioner such as a doctor of medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, podiatry, or chiropractic who prescribes radiological procedures to others.
2. Persons first employed by the Federal Government as radiological personnel after the effective date of the regulation who (a) received training from institutions in a State or foreign jurisdiction that did not accredit training in that particular field at the time of graduation, or (b) practiced in a State of foreign jurisdiction that did not license that particular field or did not allow special eligibility to take a
licensure examination for those who did not graduate from an accredited educational program, provided that such persons show evidence of training, experience, and competence as determined by OPM or the employing agency.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
GS-4: Must meet the Basic Requirement (listed above)

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).

This is an Open Continuous Announcement. Applications will be reviewed and referred as vacancies occur; however, there may not be immediate openings at all locations.

Education

This position has an education requirement. 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
Maintain Dental Hygienist licensure
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.
Physical Demands: The work involves walking, sitting, standing, reaching and bending in the assessment and treatment of patients
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.

Evaluations

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.

To determine if you are qualified for this position, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against the qualifications as defined in the qualifications section of this vacancy announcement.

  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Medical Documentation
  • Teaching Others
  • Technical Competence


The following links below provide information on how you may be eligible for various hiring authorities. If you are a Veteran, qualified CTAP and ICTAP eligible, or an individual with a disability, please refer to the following links below for additional guidance. Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Workforce Restructuring Career Transition website at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. CTAP/ICTAP documentation requirements are listed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
  • Veterans, i.e. (VEOA, VRA, and 30% or more disabled) - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/veterans-services/vet-guide-for-hr-professionals/
  • Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) - https://www.ihs.gov/jobs/support-documents/
  • Interagency Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/
  • Schedule A Appointments for the Disabled - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/disability-employment/hiring/
Click here to view vacancy questions: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12997934.

This is an Open Continuous Announcement. Applications will be reviewed and referred as vacancies occur; however, there may not be immediate opening at all locations.

During the application process, you may select up to five locations and will only be considered for positions in those locations. Candidates with complete applications will remain eligible for consideration for up to three months from the date of application or until the announcement closes, whichever occurs first. Consideration will be based on your selected locations, qualifications, and job preferences.
The first application cut-off date for referral consideration will be five business days after the announcement opens. After that, applications may be reviewed and referred at any time as vacancies occur.

You must meet all qualification requirements by the respective cutoff day of rating to be eligible for consideration.

Required Documents

USAJOBS Help Center - Update your resume now so it meets new resume requirements.

Resume: You are highly encouraged to visit the USAJOBS Help Center before submitting a resume. USAJOBS Help Center - https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include

Required as applicable for the purposes of specific eligibility and appointment claim(s), and position requirements:
  • Indian Preference Applicants: If claiming Indian preference, applicants must provide a completed copy of the Form BIA-4432, "Verification of Indian Preference for Employment in the BIA and IHS Only." Indian preference will not be given unless a properly signed and dated form is submitted with your application, including any verification by an authorized Tribal Representative or BIA Official of tribal enrollment records. For detailed instructions, see form BIA-4432. Refer to BIA-4432 link: Verification of Indian Preference for Employment in the BIA and IHS When an Indian Preference candidate possesses Veterans preference the rules regarding Veterans preference apply under ESEP and the applicant must provide documentation in order to receive preference.
  • Veterans Preference: If claiming Veteran's Preference provide a copy of your DD214 Form (Member 4 copy). To claim 10-Point Veterans Preference, submit a SF-15 Application (http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf) along with the appropriate supporting documentation. For additional information regarding Veterans Preference visit: http://www.fedshirevets.gov.
  • Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP, follow the instructions below: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/ctap_guideline.pdf.
  • Current or former Federal employee: Include your most recent SF-50 or if Reinstatement eligible include your Career SF-50.
  • Noncompetitive eligibles: Submit additional documents to prove your eligibility to apply to this vacancy.
  • Transcripts: You are encouraged to submit copies of transcripts (official or unofficial) although not required at the time of application. You must list your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Official transcripts will be required after tentative selection and prior to issuing an official job offer.
  • Licensure, Certifications: Applicants should list their license/certifications on their resume, along with the expiration date, if applicable. Certification of licensure/certification will be required after tentative selection and prior to issuing an official job offer.
You must meet all qualification requirements by the respective cutoff day of rating to be eligible for consideration.

Your resume and any documents submitted will be retained for three months and may be used at any time during this period. After 3 months, you must reapply to this announcement in order to be considered.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package. See required documents below.
  1. To begin, click the Apply Online button on the vacancy announcement.
  2. You will be directed to the Login.Gov screen, here will you sign in if you have an existing USAJOBS account or Create a Login.Gov account.
  3. If you have an account you will be directed to select a resume or create a resume. If you create an account you can create an resume. Click save and continue.
  4. Follow the prompts to upload your resume and/or supporting documents.
  5. Click the Apply To This Vacancy and complete all steps in the application process until the Confirmation indicates your application is complete. If you click Return to USAJOBS or get timed out prior to receiving confirmation, your application will not be submitted and cannot be considered for this job.
  6. Read and complete all Eligibility questions.
  7. Review the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section of this announcement to determine which apply to you and must be submitted online. You may choose one or more of the following options to submit your document(s): Upload (from your computer) or USAJOBS (click the "USAJOBS" link to complete the transfer process).
For additional questions please see our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) found here: https://www.ihs.gov/jobs/faq/.

The IHS provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Human Resources Office (Renae Ayze, [email protected], and/or 928-674-7052.) The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis. Stay Updated with Text Alerts
You can choose to receive text message notifications about your application status. To enable this feature:
- Log in to your USAJOBS account.
- Go to your Account Settings and select Notification Preferences.
- Check the option to receive SMS/Text Messages.

Text message updates are optional and provided in addition to email notifications. Standard messaging rates may apply.

You can track the progress of your application package via your USAJOBS account. You will receive an acknowledgement from USAJOBS that your submission was successful once we have received your on-line eligibility questionnaire, resume, and any supporting documentation. You will be notified of the status of your application via your USAJOBS Account after we conduct a qualification review of your complete application package. You will be contacted if further evaluation or interviews are required. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempt to conceal information may disqualify you for employment consideration. We may verify all information you provide in your resume and questionnaire responses, through reference and/or background check, and/or verification of your education. If you are selected, you will be contacted personally by the human resources office posting this announcement.

If all required documentation is not submitted with your application you will lose consideration. It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information and documents entered, uploaded, or faxed are received, legible and accurate. HR will not modify answers submitted by an applicant.
Source: Data sourced from USAJOBS