Child and Family Services Specialist (CFSS)- O'Neill, Broken Bow or Valentine

State of Nebraska•Broken Bow, NE

1d•$22 - $26•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is seeking compassionate and committed Child and Family Services Specialists (CFSS) to support children and families through trauma-informed case management and advocacy. This work, traditionally known as Child Protective Services, supports DHHS’s mission of Helping People Live Better Lives. Positions are open in the O’Neill, Valentine, or Broken Bow offices. CFSS specialists support families involved with the child welfare system, primarily because of concerns about abuse and/or neglect. They assess safety, work collaboratively with families and community partners, and promote permanency and well-being for children. The role frequently involves travel to meet families in their homes, attendance at community meetings, participation in multidisciplinary team discussions, and involvement in legal proceedings, including court testimony when necessary. The trainee hiring rate is $22.327 per hour, increasing to $26.183 after successful completion of training. Training generally follows a Monday-through-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM schedule. Occasional after-hours field experiences and case-related responsibilities may be required during training. After training, flexible work hours are available, though evening work may be necessary to accommodate families. The role includes an on-call rotation covering weeknights, weekends, and holidays. The work may involve entering homes in poor or unsanitary condition and encountering emotionally difficult situations. Staff must engage effectively with children and adults from diverse backgrounds, including people experiencing crisis, trauma, or instability. In some situations, specialists may need to care for children temporarily while arranging safe and appropriate placements. Staff receive training, protocols, ongoing supervision, peer support, and collaboration with law enforcement and legal partners to support safety and effective outcomes.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, sociology, counseling, human development, mental health care, education, criminal justice, or another related field.
Applicants enrolled in the final semester of a bachelor’s degree may be considered; promotion to Child and Family Services Specialist is contingent on completing degree requirements and required training.
Valid driver’s license required.
Ability to engage effectively with children and adults from diverse backgrounds, including those experiencing crisis, trauma, or instability.

Nice To Haves

Experience in child welfare, juvenile justice, and/or case management.
Internships with human services or child welfare agencies.

Responsibilities

Serve as a case manager for families referred to DHHS.
Conduct home visits and comprehensive safety assessments in diverse community settings.
Advocate for the well-being of children and families while respecting cultural and individual diversity.
Apply family-centered practices and actively involve families in decision-making.
Collaborate with the legal system and other partners to support case permanency goals.
Use Structured Decision Making (SDM) tools to inform safety planning and case decisions.
Write timely, accurate, and professional documentation for internal and legal use.
Connect families to formal services and informal supports based on assessed needs.
Promote normalcy and permanency for children in care.
Apply trauma-informed and least-restrictive approaches to strengthen family functioning and resilience.
Travel to and meet with families in their homes, attend community meetings, and participate in multidisciplinary team discussions.
Participate in legal proceedings, including providing court testimony when necessary.
Participate in an on-call rotation covering weeknights, weekends, and holidays.
In some situations, temporarily care for children while coordinating their transition to safe and appropriate placements.