Family Services Specialist

Child and Family Service Specialist Trainee-Hotline -Overnight Shift (Evergreen)Are you interested in making a difference in the lives of children and families across Nebraska? The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is hiring outstanding individuals to join our Hotline team. Hotline Specialists are essential to getting information sent to the correct departments. Hours will be days for at least the first few months and then will go to 11:00 PM-7:30 AM. This will include some weekends and holidays. If you are mission-driven, action-oriented, and want to help those in your own community, DHHS is looking for you! We are hiring candidates to join our upcoming training classes. "You have the passion; we have the opportunities – let's make a difference for Nebraskans." Rate is $22.327 and will increase to $26.183 after training.Job Duties/Examples of WorkCFS Hotline Specialists answer and receive all abuse and neglect hotline calls and reports coming in via mail, eFax, website, and email.Gathers necessary information from incoming callers using professional interviewing skills and knowledge to seek collateral information from others. Provide customer service to callers, collateral contacts and professionals, Law Enforcement and other stakeholders that hotline staff come in contact with on a daily basis.Using critical analysis, the hotline specialist will determine the urgency of the call and ensure proper LE and HHS response to immediate safety for children and vulnerable adults. Provides de-escalation and assessment over the phone and referrals to community agencies, resources or other information as needed.May be required to work non-traditional hours, shifts and holiday. Assesses and ensures child, youth and vulnerable adult safety, permanency and well-being while making reasonable efforts to solidify, preserve, strengthen and maintain family unity.Reviews all accessible information in NFOCUS and other data sources to assess the history and other risk factors involved with the abuse and neglect report. Analyzes all gathered information and apply the SDM Intake tool to make a screening and priority decision and determine any immediate safety action needed. Contacts law enforcement as needed. Distribute all intakes to proper law enforcement and the local DHHS office.Make all contacts needed for priority 1 intakes and ensure LE is informed of community crime and immediate safety issues. Provides technical assistance and support.Requirements/QualificationsMinimum Qualifications: A Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, sociology, counseling, human development, mental health care, education, criminal justice or another closely related area. Consideration will be given to applicants who are enrolled in the final semester of their Bachelor's degree. Promotion to the Child and Family Services Classification is contingent on successful completion of degree requirements and required training.Preferred Qualifications: 2 years of child support experience, SDM IA and Intake trained, knowledge of NFocus. At least one year experience working children and families. Experience in child welfare and/or case management experience, internships with human services/child welfare agencies will also be considered, demonstrated ability to handle high levels of stress and emotionally volatile situations, problem-solving skills, and resiliency to provide excellent written and verbal communication, and ability to effectively manage time and deadlines. Experience with SDM (Structured Decision Making) and SOP (Safety Organized Practice) a plus.Other: Ability to provide independent travel to occasional training is required. Evening/ Overnight hours. This will include weekend rotation and holidays.Knowledge/Skills and Abilities:Knowledge of the principles and practices of social work, psychology, sociology, counseling, human development, mental health, education, criminal justice, or related area of the applied social/behavioral sciences.Ability to learn the importance of commitment to individuals and families; learn the importance of families/individuals having normal life experiences that are consistent with age, gender, culture and community setting; learn the value and importance of families/individuals having the right and ability to make decisions; protect confidential information; communicate electronically, on paper or in person with customers, co-workers, supervisors and staff to exchange case information and assessments; listen to and understand communication.Work effectively with community service providers, law enforcement, the court and legal systems and vulnerable adults' families and/or advocates; organize and maintain case records; learn and apply the principles and practices of direct case management including assessment, analyzing critical information.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: 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: Opportunity StatementThe 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.