Child and Family Services Specialist Trainee - Adult Protective Services

The work we do matters!

Hiring Agency:

• Health & Human Services - Agency 25
• Location:

• Kearney, NE
• Hiring Rate:

• $22.327
• Job Posting:

• JR2026-00029615 Child and Family Services Specialist Trainee - Adult Protective Services (Open)
• Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed):

• 10-12-2026
• Job Description:

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is seeking an outstanding individual who is interested in making a difference in the lives of Vulnerable Adults in the Kearney area as a Child and Family Services Specialist Trainee - Adult Protective Services. We are looking for individuals for this essential position who are mission driven, action oriented, and possess excellent communication skills. Trainees are hired at $22.327 and promoted to $26.183 after successful completion of training.

Duties and Examples of Work:

Check out this video to learn more! https://youtu.be/XPwQ5CIDdhw

• In this position, you will serve as a case manager for Vulnerable Adults referred to the Department of Health and Human Services.
• This will require you to:
• •Investigate allegations of abuse/neglect/self-neglect/financial exploitation, visit homes, visit nursing homes, conduct safety assessments, determine vulnerability, establish safety plans, and initiate court interventions.
• •Develop, implement, and evaluate treatment plans, authorize, and coordinate appropriate services.
• •Prepare cases with appropriate legal staff and testify in court.
• •Develop community resources; work with law enforcement, mental health, and medical professionals; inform the public of protection and safety services.
• •Perform crisis intervention.
• •Prepare documentation and correspondence
• Casework may be with adults 18 years of age and older who have substantial mental and/or functional impairments. Utilizing a state vehicle for regular Travel will be a frequent duty for this position. Promotion to Child & Family Services Specialist will occur after successful completion of required classroom and on-the-job training programs.

Requirements / Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in social work, 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 to the Child and Family Services Specialist classification is contingent on successful completion of degree requirements and required training.

Preferred Qualifications : Previous Children and Family Services Specialist experience with the state of the Nebraska. Experience working with vulnerable adults.

Other : Valid driver's license or the ability to provide independent authorized transportation is required. Travel for face-to-face visits with children, families, service providers, and other work related appointments may be required dependent upon caseload location. Utilization of a state vehicle may be provided dependent upon office location.

Knowledge/Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of: Family life issues and dynamics; community services; Adult behavior.

Skill in: Interviewing clients to collect and elicit essential information and assess client's needs and progress; openly and honestly discussing concerns with others in a non-judgmental way.

Ability to: Learn the importance of commitment to individuals and families; protect confidential information; communicate effectively with community service providers.

Applicant should possess good oral and written communications skills, abilities to interpret and apply state and federal laws and standards to technical narrative material; learn and uphold the objectives, philosophies and functions of the Children and Family Services Division; and establish and maintain satisfactory working relationships with managers/administrators, community organizations, and the public.

Must be available to be On Call on a rotating basis.

Must be able to be reached on a Work Cell Phone 24/7 for a period of one Week while On Call. If contacted while On Call, you must be able to go out into the Field to investigate at any given time

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: https://link.nebraska.gov/

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: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits

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.