Child and Family Services Specialist (CFSS)-South Sioux

State of Nebraska•South Sioux City, NE

About The Position

The Department of Health and Human Services is hiring Child and Family Services Specialists to support children and families involved with the child welfare system, primarily due to concerns of abuse or neglect. The role provides trauma-informed case management and advocacy, assesses safety, works collaboratively with families and community partners, and promotes children’s permanency and well-being. Specialists frequently travel to meet families in their homes, attend community meetings and multidisciplinary team discussions, and participate in legal proceedings, including court testimony when necessary. The position can involve entering homes in poor or unsanitary conditions and handling emotionally difficult situations. Staff must engage effectively with children and adults from diverse backgrounds, including people experiencing crisis, trauma, or instability. In some situations, the specialist may temporarily care for children while coordinating their transition to safe, appropriate placements. Training, protocols, supervision, peer support, and collaboration with law enforcement and legal partners support staff safety and effective work. The training schedule is generally Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Occasional after-hours field experiences and case-related responsibilities may be required during training. Flexible hours are available after training, with evening hours sometimes necessary to accommodate families. The position participates in an on-call rotation that includes weeknights, weekends, and holidays. Trainees start at $22.327 per hour, increasing to $26.183 after successfully completing training.

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.
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, or case management.
Internship experience 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 children’s and families’ well-being 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 with formal services and informal supports based on assessed needs.
Promote normalcy and permanency for children in care.
Use trauma-informed and least-restrictive approaches to strengthen family functioning and resilience.
Participate in an on-call rotation that includes weeknights, weekends, and holidays.
In some situations, temporarily care for children while coordinating their transition to safe and appropriate placements.