Child and Family Services Specialist; CFSS-North Platte; Bilingual - Spanish

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Child and Family Services Specialist (CFSS) – North Platte (Bilingual – Spanish) (Evergreen)

Trainee starts at $21.836 with an increase to $25.607 after successful completion of training. Bilingual (Spanish) applicants receive $1.75 per hour more.

As a CFSS, you will support families involved in the child welfare system primarily due to concerns of abuse and/or neglect. You will assess safety, work collaboratively with families and community partners, and promote permanency and well‑being for children. Frequent travel to families’ homes, attendance at community meetings, participation in multidisciplinary team discussions, and involvement in legal proceedings—including court testimony when necessary—are key aspects of the position.

• 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.
• Utilize 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.

The training schedule is generally Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. During this period, occasional after‑hours field experiences and case‑related responsibilities may be required. After training, flexible work hours are available; evening hours may be necessary to accommodate families. The role also requires participation in an on‑call rotation, which includes weeknights, weekends, and holidays.

CFSS may enter homes that are in poor or unsanitary conditions and encounter emotionally difficult situations. Worker safety is a top priority, with training and protocols in place to prepare and support staff in the field. Engagement with children and adults from diverse backgrounds, including those experiencing crisis, trauma, or instability, is expected. In some situations, staff may temporarily care for children while coordinating their transition to safe and appropriate placements.

Supervision, training, peer support, and collaboration with law enforcement and legal partners ensure staff safety and effective outcomes.

• Vacation and sick leave begin accruing immediately upon hire.
• 13 paid holidays.
• Agency‑backed retirement plan with employer match.
• Supportive leadership and team culture.
• Numerous opportunities for internal advancement and promotion.

Minimum Qualifications: A bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, sociology, counseling, human development, mental health care, education, criminal justice, or other related fields. Consideration will be given to applicants enrolled in the final semester of their bachelor’s degree. Promotion to a CFSS is contingent on successfully completing degree requirements and required training.

Preferred Qualifications: Experience in child welfare, juvenile justice, and/or case management, internships with human services/child welfare agencies, and bilingual skills in English and Spanish are strongly preferred.

Valid driver’s license is required.

The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, marital status or genetics.

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