Child and Family Services Internship (Spring 2027)

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services; Lincoln (NE); On-site; USD 18,000 - 23,000; Part time

Job summary

Health & Human Services - Agency 25 in Lincoln, NE is offering a Child and Family Services Internship for Spring 2027. The role provides hands-on experience shadowing CFSS staff across multiple state offices.

The internship supports students needing course-work credits and offers opportunities to learn about child welfare interventions and family-centered practices. Applications review begins October 1, 2026, with a deadline October 30, 2026.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at an accredited college or university (two-to-four-year institution).
• Recently graduated (within one year) from an undergraduate or graduate degree program at an accredited college or university (two-to-four-year institution).
• Preferred Qualifications: Coursework in social work, psychology, sociology, counseling, human services, mental healthcare, criminal justice, education, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Advocate for families.
• Respect the individuality of each child and family served.
• Respect each child’s family and culture.
• Implement family-centered practice principles into case management to ensure inclusion of children and families in decision-making processes.
• Promote normalcy in the lives of children in care.
• Adhere to principles and procedures of Structured Decision Making to help keep children and families safe.
• Utilize evidence-based practices focusing on least-restrictive and family-centered approaches.
• Identify and make appropriate referrals for formal and informal interventions based on the family’s needs.
• Write clear, concise, and descriptive reports in a timely manner for sharing with legal entities and the court system.

Job description

Job Posting

JR2026-00028417 Child and Family Services Internship (Spring 2027) (Evergreen) (Open)

The work we do matters!

Hiring Agency

Health & Human Services - Agency 25

Location:

Lincoln, NE, Statewide, NE

Hiring Rate

$15.000

Job Posting

JR2026-00028417 Child and Family Services Internship (Spring 2027) (Evergreen) (Open)

Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed):

10-30-2026

Job Description

Our Child and Family Services Internship will learn how our Child and Family Services Specialist serve some of our most vulnerable populations. If you are currently enrolled in a college or university, and require an internship to complete course work, take a look at this opportunity! We have opportunities at many of our local DHHS offices across the State.

Onsite Locations Include: Omaha, Lincoln, Scottsbluff, Chadron, Nebraska City, Norfolk, South Sioux City, Hastings, Grand Island, Kearney, York, Seward, Fremont, Ogallala, and More.

Application Review: October 1st, 2026

Application Deadline: October 30th, 2026

Interns will shadow our Child and Family Service Specialist to gain hands on experience. CFSS roles are rewarding, yet challenging, as they provide opportunities, services, and programs that promote a healthy, safe, and stable environment for children/youth in our communities with their caregivers. CFSS work closely with families that need child welfare intervention because of abuse and/or neglect. CFSS will sometimes work with the legal system toward permanency goals. Case managers are trained on resources necessary to help children and families heal from trauma in their lives, and on the importance of promoting community safety. In Children & Family Services, we aim to provide the least disruptive services when needed, for only the amount of time necessary to give children the opportunity to succeed, live with dignity and respect and help families care for themselves. This will result in healthier families and safer, more prosperous communities.

Child & Family Services Interns may learn the basics in the following job duties:

• Advocate for families.
• Respect the individuality of each child and family served.
• Respect each child’s family and culture.
• Implement family-centered practice principles into case management to ensure the inclusion of children and families in the decision-making processes that impact their lives.
• Promote normalcy in the lives of children in care.
• Adhere to principles and procedures of Structured Decision Making as a tool that will support keeping children and families safe.
• Utilize evidence-based practices that focus on least-restrictive and family-centered approaches.
• Identifies and makes appropriate referrals for formal and informal interventions based on the family’s needs.
• Write clear, concise, and descriptive reports in a timely manner that will be shared with legal entities and the court system.
  

You have the passion; we have the opportunities – let’s make a difference for Nebraskans.

Requirements / Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at an accredited college or university (two-to-four-year institution) OR recently graduated (within one year) from an undergraduate or graduate degree program at an accredited college or university (two-to-four-year institution).

Preferred Qualifications: Coursework in social work, psychology, sociology, counseling, human services, mental healthcare, criminal justice, education, or any other closely related field.

If you\'re currently employed by the State of Nebraska, please don\'t apply through this external career site. Instead, log in to Workday and open the Jobs Hub - Internal Apply app from your home landing page. You can access Workday anytime through the Link web page: https://link.nebraska.gov/

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation.

Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer! Benefit eligibility may vary by position, agency and employment status. For more information on benefits, please visit: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits

Equal Opportunity Statement

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.