Specialized Populations Officer

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Hiring Agency:

Location:

Hiring Rate:

Job Posting:

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Job Description:

The Judicial Branch offers: 

Health & Wellness 

• 79% employer-paid health and prescription insurance 

• Dental and vision insurance plans available to purchase 

• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, available to purchase 

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for confidential support 

• Flex Spending (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) 

Financial Security 

• 156% state-matched of the first 4.8% contribution to retirement plan 

• FREE $20,000 Life Insurance Policy 

• Optional Life Insurance and AD&D available to purchase 

Paid Time Off & Leave 

• 13 paid holidays annually 

• Paid vacation and sick leave that begin accruing immediately 

• Military leave and Funeral/Bereavement leave 

Professional Growth 

• Paid training to develop your skills 

• Free continuing education credits to maintain professional certifications 

• Access to specialized courses through Judicial Branch Education 

• Opportunity for bilingual pay  

This classification level is responsible for providing case management and supervision of high-risk individuals entered into the Problem-Solving Court program, post-release supervision, or other high-risk adult and juvenile probationers for specialized cases including sex offenders, domestic violence offenders, and drug offences. Responsibilities may include: performing pre-sentence investigations; classification and clinical assessments for PSC participants to identify needs; developing case plan to track and manage goals; working with treatment providers within the community; investigating violations and discussing sanctions; conducting cognitive group therapy meetings; conducting and monitoring drug tests; preparing and submitting probationer progress reports; arresting or detaining probationers per statute; performing field and home visits for assessment and reassessment. Cases assignments based on rotation and supervisor assignment (for PSCs).

Location: In-office only.

300 N. St. Joseph Ave

Hastings, NE  68901

Travel will be required at times. 

Work Schedule: 

Primarily day shift, with occasional nights, weekends, and holidays required 

Salary and Compensation:

• Starting Salary: $60,313.77 annually (Hiring Rate).

• Immediate Growth: Earn a 2.5% pay increase after successfully completing your probation period.

• Starting Rate Flexibility: Higher starting pay may be considered based on education and experience, subject to final management approval.

  • Please Note: Candidates approved to start above the Hiring Rate (at or above the Minimum Permanent rate) are not eligible for the 2.5% post-probation increase.

• Future Increases: Annual cost-of-living adjustments (applied on July 1) are subject to State Legislature approval.

Job Duties

1. Investigates, monitors and or supervises targeted, program-specific high-risk individuals on probation, post-release supervision and/or involved in a Problem-Solving Court adult and juvenile offenders.

2. Performs counseling, case management, case reporting, and related functions of managing a caseload under close supervision.

3. Develops a team supervision approach with the individual’s referral source (probation officer who conducted the PSI, Navigation Officer, Problem Solving Court Team, County Jail staff, Prison Caseworker.

4. Participates in the treatment process of individuals and is engaged in the probationer’s/participant’s treatment through regular and on-going communication with treatment providers and through attendance at treatment groups and facilities. Assists in the development of relapse prevention plan.

5. Facilitates groups which may include, but not be limited to, topical, supervision groups, cognitive programs or skill building, life skills enhancement and general education of clients.

6. Prepares violation reports, compliance reports and conducts record checks; Enters and updates client information into appropriate systems; determines reports to send to the court for updates.

7. Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

Requirements / Qualifications: 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in social services, Criminal Justice or directly related field

• Experience: 2 years of experience in case management in related fields,

Note: An equivalent combination of relevant education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above will also be accepted.

All educational credits must be granted from an accredited institution approved by the U.S. Dept. of Education.

Knowledge:

• Customer service principles.

• Criminal Justice system, laws, legal codes, and court procedures.

• Interview and Assessment procedures and practices.

• Intervention policies and procedures.

• Cognitive skill building, motivational learning.

• Social learning theory.

• Crisis intervention techniques.

• Modern office procedures and equipment.

• Recordkeeping principles.

• Document review techniques.

• Computers and related software applications.

Skills:

• Making home visits.

• Interviewing probationers.

• Tracking probationers’ location(s).

• Utilizing probation and protective techniques.

• Applying applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

• Preparing activity reports and updating databases.

• Operating computers and applicable software applications.

• Utilizing communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisors, the general public and others to sufficiently exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

Physical Requirements

Incumbents may be subjected to environmental threats, odors, dusts, inadequate lighting, workspace restrictions, and travel.

Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work.

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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.