Child and Family Services Specialist (CFSS)- O'Neill, Broken Bow or Valentine

State of Nebraska; Broken Bow (NE); On-site; USD 31,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation leave

Holiday pay

Retirement plan

Supportive leadership

Career advancement

Job summary

The State of Nebraska’s Health & Human Services is seeking compassionate individuals to join the Child and Family Services Specialist team in O'Neill, Broken Bow, or Valentine. CFSSs provide safety assessments, family collaboration, and advocacy within the child welfare system.

Travel to families' homes, participate in multidisciplinary teams, and support permanency and well-being for children. A bachelor's degree in a related field is required, with training completing before promotion.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field is required.
• Promotion to a Child and Family Services Specialist depends on degree requirements and required training.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a case manager for families referred to DHHS.
• Conduct home visits and comprehensive safety assessments in diverse settings.
• Advocate for children and families while respecting diversity.
• Apply family-centered practices and involve families in decisions.
• Collaborate with the legal system and partners to support permanency goals.
• Write timely, accurate documentation for internal and legal use.
• Connect families to formal services and informal supports based on needs.
• Promote normalcy and permanency for children in care.
• Apply trauma-informed and least-restrictive approaches to strengthen family functioning.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, sociology, counseling, human development, mental health care, education, criminal justice, or related fields

Job description

The work we do matters! Hiring Agency: Health & Human Services - Agency 25 Location: Broken Bow, NE, O'Neill, NE, Valentine, NE Hiring Rate: $22.327 Job Posting: JR2026-00030459 Child and Family Services Specialist (CFSS)- O'Neill, Broken Bow or Valentine (Open).

You have the passion; we have the opportunities – let’s make a difference for Nebraskans! Position is open for O'Neill, Valentine or Broken Bow offices. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is seeking compassionate and committed individuals to join our team as Child and Family Services Specialists (CFSS). These professionals provide essential support to children and families through trauma-informed case management and advocacy. This work has traditionally been known as Child Protective Services. This vital role directly supports our mission of Helping People Live Better Lives.

About the Role

As a CFSS, you will support families involved with 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. You will frequently travel to and meet with families in their homes, attend community meetings, participate in multidisciplinary team discussions, and be involved in legal proceedings, including providing court testimony when necessary.

Key Responsibilities

• 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.

Salary: Trainee starts at $22.327 with an increase to $26.183 after successful completion of training.

Work Schedule & Flexibility

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-relevant responsibilities may be required. Following the completion of training, flexible work hours are available. Evening hours may be necessary to accommodate the needs of assigned families. This position also requires participation in an on‑call rotation, which includes weeknights, weekends, and holidays.

Work Environment & Expectations

As a CFSS, you will sometimes enter homes that are in poor or unsanitary conditions and may encounter emotionally difficult situations. Worker safety is a top priority, and training and protocols are in place to prepare and support staff in the field. You must be able to engage effectively with children and adults from diverse backgrounds, including those experiencing crisis, trauma, or instability. In some situations, you may be required to care for children temporarily while coordinating their transition to safe and appropriate placements. While the work can be demanding, you will always have support. Ongoing supervision, training, peer support, and collaboration with law enforcement and legal partners help ensure both staff safety and effective outcomes for families. Even when you are in the field on your own, assistance is just a phone call away.

Why Join Us?

Working at DHHS offers more than a paycheck—it provides purpose. Start your career with Nebraska today and make a meaningful impact on families across our state!

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.
• Numerous opportunities for internal advancement and promotion.

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

Requirements/Qualifications

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 who are enrolled in the final semester of their bachelor’s degree.
• Promotion to a Child and Family Services Specialist is contingent on successfully completing degree requirements and required training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in child welfare, juvenile justice and/or case management experience, internships with human services/child welfare agencies will also be considered.

Other

• Valid Driver's license is required.

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. We are seeking talented individuals to join our team in careers that make a difference in the lives of Nebraskans.