Child and Family Services Trainee

Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 26,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Wellness resources

Job summary

Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska invites applications for a Child and Family Services Trainee. Under immediate supervision, the trainee learns to assess safety, permanency and well-being of children and families on the Winnebago reservation while attending required in-service training.

This entry-level position is the first step in the CFS Specialist series, with progression after successful completion of mandated training and assessments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in Social Work (BSW) or related field with one-year experience providing direct services to children and families preferred or an Associate’s Degree with two years relevant experience
• One year of experience working with Native Americans preferred
• Knowledge of Winnebago culture and traditions desirable and a willingness to learn
• Knowledge of social work, psychology, sociology, or related fields is required
• Knowledge of direct case management, family dynamics, and community services preferred
• ICWA and tribal/federal laws knowledge preferred and willingness to learn
• Must be timely, dependable, and maintain a professional appearance
• Must be able to communicate effectively with coworkers, clients, and courts
• Must be able to learn and apply direct case management principles
• Must have valid driver’s license and be insurable under Tribe’s policy
• Must pass federal background check and pre-employment drug testing

Responsibilities

• Learn to provide counseling and case management to children and families
• Attend required training and complete mandated modules
• Develop skills to manage cases with supervision
• Learn to develop and evaluate treatment plans and court reports
• Coordinate family services and referrals to community resources
• Conduct home visits and document activities
• Provide transportation to clients when needed
• Attend required meetings and maintain client confidentiality
• Be on-call 24 hours on a rotating basis
• Complete other duties to support program operations

Skills

Social work knowledge

Direct client interaction

Cultural awareness

Communication skills

Time management

Education

BSW or related field

Associate's Degree

Tools

Driver's license

Job description

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Wellness resources

Closes: 10/7/2026

Child and Family Services Trainee

Reports to: Child and Family Services Lead Caseworker

Salary (Grade): $21.65 (G15-E)

Status: Reg., Full-Time (Non-Exempt)

Location: Human Services office 218 Industrial Road, Winnebago, NE 68071

Job Purpose & Position Overview

Under immediate supervision of Child and Family Services Lead Caseworker, serves in the capacity of a learner in assessing and insuring child, youth and vulnerable adult safety, permanency and well-being while attending required in-service training. This training prepares new caseworkers for work with Child & Family Services children and family customers through development of competencies essential to effective job performance. This is the first classification level of three in the Child and Family Services Specialist series. This is an entry level position offered with the understanding that the employee will progress to the next level after successfully completing all required classroom and on-the-job training. The trainee must complete all mandated training, reviews, and assessments by the supervisor before moving up the CFS Caseworker position. A worker in this position will learn how to provide counseling and case management services to children and families residing on the Winnebago reservation and/or under the jurisdiction of the Winnebago Tribal Court.

Specific Job Duties/Responsibilities

• Demonstrate the Winnebago Tribe’s core mission, vision, and values.
• Attend required classroom and field training, which includes successful completion of the State of Nebraska New Worker Training.
• Participate in and learn training modules to develop interpersonal skills, knowledge of children, vulnerable adults and families, and to learn about working with the courts, case planning, and accessing community based resources.
• Develop, through on-the-job training, the skills necessary to manage cases at the work location with close review and monitoring from the CFS Supervisor.
• Attends training as assigned to acquire knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for continued employment and advancement in the CFS Specialist Class.
• Learn the skills required to develop, implement, and evaluate treatment plans and court reports.
• Develop the skills to authorize, coordinate, and provide family services.
• Develop the knowledge to make referrals and secure specialized services for children, adults, and families.
• Develop the skills to conduct home visits, monitor placements, and document all activities.
• Provide transportation to clients when necessary.
• Must be able to work flexible hours due to the nature of the work and travel when required for work or training.
• Attend work regularly, promptly and fulfill all duties as assigned.
• Assist the caseworkers with crisis intervention and emergency removals.
• Enter all NFOCUS computer narratives as assigned.
• Protect client confidentiality.
• Ninety-day probationary period may be extended until such time that the successful candidate is able to complete all aspects of the job.
• Will be required to be on-call 24 hours on a rotating basis.
• Complete other duties as assigned in the efficient and effective operation of the program.
• Attend required company and departmental meetings.
• Duties listed are only an illustration of various types of work performed. The omission of duties does not exclude them from the positon if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

Required Qualifications/Skills

• Bachelor’s in Social Work (BSW) or related field with one-year experience providing direct services to children and families is preferred or an Associate’s Degree and two (2) year relevant experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting the equivalent of one year of full-time professional work experience for each year of the required education to a maximum substitution of four years.
• One year of experience working with Native Americans is preferred.
• Knowledge of Winnebago culture and traditions is highly desirable, and a willingness to learn is required.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of social work, psychology, sociology, counseling, human development, mental health, education, criminal justice or related field of applied social/behavioral science is required.
• Knowledge of the principles and processes of direct case management, family life issues and dynamics, and community services is preferred.
• Knowledge of child adolescent and adult behavior and basic understanding of juvenile delinquent behavior and vulnerable adult issues is preferred.
• Knowledge of the Indian Child Welfare Act, BIA Guidelines, State ICWA laws, and federal, State and tribal laws on abuse and neglect of individuals and confidentiality is preferred and a willingness to learn is required.
• Must be timely, dependable, courteous, and maintain a business-like appearance.
• Must be able to utilize and understand electronic, written, and in person communication with coworkers, customers, supervisors and staff to exchange case information and assessments.
• Must be able to work effectively with community service providers, law enforcement, the court and legal systems, and families and/or advocates
• Must be able to organize and maintain case records and manage time and workflow to meet deadlines.
• Must treat people with dignity and respect regardless of behavior. Must exhibit a sense of fairness, and be able to adapt to new or changing circumstances.
• Must possess keyboarding skills for data entry, and be computer literate and proficient in Microsoft Office (particularly Word, Excel, and Outlook).
• Must possess skills in interviewing clients to collect and elicit essential information and assess customer needs and progress.
• Must be able to learn and apply the principles of direct case management including assessment, analyzing critical information, and planning, setting up, and implementing individual case plans.
• Must be able to learn the importance of commitment to individuals and families and their ability to have normal life experiences consistent with age, gender, culture and community, and value families/individuals right and ability to make decisions.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license, maintain valid insurance, and be insurable under the Tribe’s insurance policy.
• Must be of good moral character. Will be required to pass a federal background check and submit to pre-employment drug testing.

Training Requirements

• As assigned by your supervisor and must engage in an employee development plan.

Physical Requirements

• Medium office work which includes the ability to lift up to 30 lbs.
• Regularly required to walk, stand, and sit for extended periods of time and use hands to operate computer keyboard, phone, and various office equipment.
• While performing daily duties, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear.

Mental Requirements

• Reading, writing, calculating
• Above average social interaction skills
• Reasoning/Analysis

Language Requirements

• Must possess the ability to read, write, and speak the English language fluently.
• Must be able to continually and effectively employ professional verbal and written communications skills.

As provided by Federal Law, all qualified Native American applicants shall receive preference over Non-Native American applicants. In the absence of qualified Native American applicants, consideration will be given to all other applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, disability or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits.