Field Training Officer

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Wellness resources

Closes: 11/3/2026

Field Training Officer (Child Welfare Team)

Reports to: Child and Family Services Program Manager

Salary (Grade): $25.00/hr

Location: Winnebago Child and Family Services 218 Industrial Road Winnebago, NE 68071

Job Purpose & Position Overview

Under the general supervision of the Child and Family Services Program Manager, the Field Training Officer will provide hands-on training, supervision, coaching, and support to new and developing child welfare professionals within Winnebago Child and Family Services. This position serves as a bridge between academic, preservice, and in-service training and full-time child welfare casework, ensuring trainees gain practical job experience in the child protection and family services environment.

The Field Training Officer will design, coordinate, and implement structured field training experiences aligned with state, federal, tribal, and agency child welfare standards. This position will support staff development for new caseworkers, investigators, case aides, and other assigned staff by providing direct guidance in case planning, court report preparation, appropriate face-to-face contact, documentation, compliance, and culturally responsive child welfare practice. This position may require flexible work hours, including evenings, weekends, travel for training, field observation, or other assigned duties.

Specific Job Duties/Responsibilities:

• Demonstrates the Winnebago Tribe’s core mission, vision, and values
• Provides hands-on training, supervision, coaching, and support to new and developing child welfare professionals.
• Designs and implements training programs for preservice and in-service staff, including but not limited to new caseworkers, investigators and case aides.
• Coordinates all training required by DHHS and conducts in-house training as assigned.
• Oversees ongoing professional development for assigned Child and Family Services staff.
• Provides structured field placements aligned with state, federal, tribal, and agency child welfare standards.
• Ensures compliance with Winnebago Child and Family Services policies and procedures.
• Supervises trainees in direct service roles and monitors their progress throughout the training program.
• Assigns and monitors training tasks aligned with the targeted job title and expected job duties.
• Provides regular feedback, coaching and evaluation to trainees regarding job performance, documentation, professionalism, and readiness for assigned responsibilities.
• Ensures trainees meet educational, experiential, and skill-based requirements throughout the training program.
• Maintains training records, evaluations, attendance logs, and compliance documentation.
• Manages simulation-based staff development, skills, practice, testing and evaluation.
• Trains staff on case planning, court report preparation, appropriate face to face meetings, documentation standards and agency expectations.
• Supports staff in understanding child welfare practice, family engagement, safety planning, permanency planning, and service coordination.
• Provides guidance on confidentiality, professional boundaries, mandated reporting, documentation and ethical practice.
• Services as a liaison between staff and administration regarding training needs, field reediness, and professional development concerns.
• Coordinates with agency leadership, supervisors, and other departments to identify training needs and improve staff development.
• Assists with developing training schedules, training materials, checklists, field observation tools, and evaluation forms.
• Provides support in high-stress and sensitive child welfare situations as appropriated for training and staff development purposes.
• Promotes trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and family-centered practice.
• Supports staff understanding of child development, family systems, child protection laws and agency policies.
• Assists in identifying areas where staff may need additional coaching, mentoring, or corrective training.
• Participates in meetings, staffing, committees, and trainings as assigned.
• Maintains strict confidentiality regarding clients, families, staff performance, and agency matters.
• Acts as a responsible representative of the Winnebago Tribe.
• Is knowledgeable of and complies with department and tribal policies.
• Performs other duties as assigned that are similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

Required Qualifications/Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, child welfare, human services, criminal justice, psychology, education, or a related field is preferred; relevant experience may be considered.
• Minimum of one year of experience working with the Winnebago Tribe community is required.
• Experience in child welfare, family services, social services, case management, training, supervision, or staff development is preferred.
• Knowledge of the Child welfare system, child protection practices, family services and case management is required.
• Knowledge of child development, trauma-informed practices, and family systems is required.
• Knowledge of federal, state and tribal laws related to child protection and family services is preferred.
• Knowledge of agency policies, documentation requirements, confidentiality standards and professional practice expectations is required.
• Basic knowledge of the Indian Child Welfare Act is preferred.
• Sensitivity to and appreciation for Winnebago culture and traditions is required; knowledge of Winnebago culture and traditions is highly desirable.
• Must have strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Must have excellent interpersonal, coaching, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Must be able to provide constructive feedback and support staff development in a professional manner.
• Must be able to work in high-stress, sensitive and confidential environments.
• Must be proficient in case management, documentation and recordkeeping.
• Must possess keyboarding skills for data entry and be computer literates and proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Must be timely, dependable, courteous, and maintain a business like appearance.
• Must be able to maintain the strictest confidentiality and will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement.
• 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.
• Must have a telephone number.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Provides training, field supervision, coaching and performance feedback to assigned trainees and developing staff.
• May provide input to supervisors and administration regarding trainee progress, training completion, and readiness for assigned duties.
• Does not independently make final employment or disciplinary decisions unless authorized by agency leadership.

Training Requirements:

• Must successfully complete all required Winnebago Child and Family Services training.
• Must successfully complete required DHHS-related training as assigned.
• Must remain current on child welfare practice standards, agency policies, confidentiality requirements, mandated reporting, trauma-informed practice, and culturally responsive services.
• Must attend meetings, committees, and professional development trainings as assigned.

Physical Requirements:

• Normal to light office work which includes the ability to lift up to 10 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.
• Must have physical and mental stamina for home visits, community work, field observation, and training-related activities.

Mental Requirements:

• Reading, writing, calculating
• Above average social interaction skills
• Reasoning and analysis.
• Ability to train, coach, evaluate, and support staff in sensitive child welfare matters.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to manager multiple priorities, deadlines, training requirements, and documentation responsibilities.

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.
• Must be able to prepare clear training materials, documentation, reports, feedback, and correspondence.

Certificates, Licenses & Registrations:

• Must possess a valid driver’s license, maintain valid insurance, and be insurable under the Tribe’s insurance policy. \
• All applicants will comply with 45 CFR 1301, Subpart D, Section 1301.31, C and D, which require all prospective employees to sign a declaration prior to employment regarding all arrests and convictions of child abuse or violent felonies and to comply with PL 101-630 and PL 101-637 regarding criminal records check
• Additional child welfare, DHHS, or agency-required certifications may be required as assigned.

HOW TO APPLY:

• Submit an application at a resume, cover letter, and two (2) letters of recommendation are required. Applications submitted after the closing date or without proper documents will not be considered.
• If claiming Native American or Veteran preference, please include pertinent documentation.
• Call Human Resources at View phone number on aiapply.co for further information.

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.