Kinship Child and Family Services Specialist/Trainee- Lincoln

Kinship Child and Family Services Specialist/Trainee- Lincoln (Open)

You have the passion; we have the opportunities – let's make a difference for Nebraskans! The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is looking to hire dedicated and caring individuals for our Child and Family Services Specialist/Trainee Relative/Kinship role. In this position, you will assess and support relative/kinship foster care providers through the completion of home studies, case management, and ongoing family support using an evidence-based model. This role includes in-home visits, coordination of resources, and requires flexible scheduling, including participation in a rotating on-call schedule.

Key Responsibilities/Examples of Work:

• Conduct initial assessments and home studies for relative/kinship placements, including emergency approvals.
• Deliver referrals, resources, and support to relative/kinship caregivers and their families.
• Identify and address challenges to placement stability.
• Ensure compliance with approval and licensing standards and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in accordance with state and federal guidelines.
• Conduct monthly in-person visits with caregivers and youth.
• Support families through phone check-ins, team meetings, court hearings, and transportation assistance.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to meet the needs of children and families.
• Utilize platforms such as Outlook, Word, Excel, WebEx, and NFOCUS (training provided).
• Facilitate training sessions, support groups, and events for kinship families.
• Lead meetings with case team members to plan and coordinate services.
• Fulfill on-call responsibilities as assigned.

Pay rates are $21.836 for training (rate increases July 1, 2026) and $26.183 after training.

Requirements/Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications: A bachelor's degree in social work, human services, psychology, sociology, counseling, human development, mental health care, education, criminal justice, or other closely related area. Consideration will be given to applicants who are enrolled in the final semester of their bachelor's degree. Promotion is contingent on successful completion of degree requirements and required training.
• Preferred Qualifications: Experience in Child and Family Services, case management, or child placing agencies; familiarity with NFOCUS and Microsoft Office suite. One year of relevant experience.
• Other: Valid Driver's license is required. Frequent travel required; state vehicle may be provided based on availability. Must be available for evening/weekend hours as needed.

Knowledge/Skills and Abilities:

• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.
• Proficient in assessing family needs and delivering targeted support.
• Capable of managing multiple caseloads, preparing reports, and analyzing data for trends.

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:

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.