Child and Family Services Specialist (CFSS)- Bilingual-Spanish

State of Nebraska • Grand Island, NE

7d

About The Position

The Department of Health and Human Services is seeking compassionate and committed Child and Family Services Specialists (CFSS) to provide trauma-informed case management and advocacy for children and families involved with the child welfare system, primarily due to concerns of abuse and/or neglect. The role focuses on assessing safety, working collaboratively with families and community partners, and promoting permanency and well-being for children. Specialists travel to meet families in their homes, attend community meetings, participate in multidisciplinary team discussions, and may take part in legal proceedings, including providing court testimony.

The position serves as a case manager for families referred to DHHS and may assist families using bilingual Spanish skills. Specialists conduct home visits and safety assessments, advocate for children and families, use family-centered and trauma-informed practices, and connect families with services and informal supports. The role involves documenting case information, using Structured Decision Making tools, collaborating with the legal system and other partners, and promoting normalcy and permanency for children in care.

Training is generally scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Occasional after-hours field experiences and case-related responsibilities may be required during training. After training, flexible hours are available, although evening work may be needed to accommodate families. Participation in an on-call rotation covering weeknights, weekends, and holidays is required. The work may involve entering homes in poor or unsanitary conditions and responding to emotionally difficult situations, crisis, trauma, or instability. In some situations, the specialist may temporarily care for children while arranging safe and appropriate placements. Training, protocols, supervision, peer support, and collaboration with law enforcement and legal partners are provided to support staff safety and effective work.

The trainee rate is $22.327, increasing to $26.183 after successful completion of training. The bilingual Spanish rate is $1.75 above the normal rate. The position is based in Grand Island, Nebraska.

Requirements

• A 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.
• A valid driver's license is required.
• Ability to engage effectively with children and adults from diverse backgrounds, including people experiencing crisis, trauma, or instability.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual experience, especially English and Spanish.
• Experience in child welfare, juvenile justice, or case management.
• Internship experience with human services or child welfare agencies.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a case manager for families referred to DHHS.
• Assist families with bilingual Spanish skills in the area.
• 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.
• Attend community meetings and participate in multidisciplinary team discussions.
• Participate in legal proceedings and provide court testimony when necessary.
• Participate in an on-call rotation that includes weeknights, weekends, and holidays.
• Temporarily care for children in some situations while coordinating their transition to safe and appropriate placements.

Benefits

• Vacation and sick leave begin accruing immediately upon hire.
• 13 paid holidays.
• Agency-backed retirement plan with employer match.
• Supportive leadership and team culture.
• Opportunities for internal advancement and promotion.
• Comprehensive benefits, paid time off, retirement, and professional development opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level