Child and Family Services Specialist​/Trainee -Caring & Investigative Worker

Child and Family Services Specialist/Trainee – Caring & Investigative Worker

Join the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services as a Child and Family Services Specialist (CFSS). These professionals provide essential support to children and families through trauma‑informed case management and advocacy. The role is open for the Evergreen location in Blair, NE.

The CFSS supports families involved with the child welfare system, primarily due to concerns of abuse and/or neglect. You will assess safety, collaborate with families and community partners, and promote permanency and well‑being for children. The position requires frequent home visits, community meetings, multidisciplinary team discussions, and legal testimony when necessary.

• Serve as a case manager for families referred to DHHS.
• Conduct home visits and comprehensive safety assessments.
• Advocate for the well‑being of children and families while respecting cultural 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.
• Utilize Structured Decision Making (SDM) tools to inform safety planning and decisions.
• Document case activities accurately and professionally 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, least‑restrictive approaches to strengthen family functioning and resilience.

The training schedule is Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM, with occasional after‑hours field experiences. After training, flexible hours, evenings, weekends, and holidays may be required, and the role includes an on‑call rotation.

The job may involve entering homes in poor or unsanitary conditions and dealing with emotionally difficult situations. Worker safety is a top priority, with training and protocols in place. Staff receive supervision, peer support, and collaboration with law enforcement and legal partners to ensure safety and effective outcomes.

• Vacation and sick leave accrue immediately upon hire.
• 13 paid holidays per year.
• Agency‑backed retirement plan with employer match.
• Supportive leadership and team culture.
• Opportunities for internal advancement and promotion.

• Minimum: Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, sociology, counseling, human development, mental health care, education, criminal justice, or related fields. Completion of final semester of a bachelor’s degree is considered.
• Preferred: Experience in child welfare, juvenile justice, case management, or internships with human services/child welfare agencies.
• Other: Valid driver’s license.

The State of Nebraska values diverse teammates and strives to promote inclusion and belonging. The agency recruits, hires, trains, and promotes without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, marital status, or genetics.