Specialized Populations Officer

State of Nebraska•Hastings, NE

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Specialized Populations Officer provides case management and supervision for high-risk adults and juveniles in Problem-Solving Court programs, post-release supervision, or specialized probation cases, including sex offenses, domestic violence, and drug offenses. The role supports people through assessment, case planning, treatment coordination, supervision, and progress reporting. Assignments are based on rotation and supervisor direction for Problem-Solving Courts. The position is based at 300 N St. Joseph Ave, Suite 210, Hastings, Nebraska. It involves regular travel within the district for community visits and operational support, plus occasional regional travel for orientation, training, and workshops. Core hours are Monday through Friday during the day; occasional on-call, evening, weekend, and holiday availability is required. The starting salary is $60,313.77 annually. A 2.5% increase may be provided after successful completion of the probation period, subject to the stated starting-rate eligibility conditions. Higher starting pay may be considered based on education and experience, subject to management approval. Future cost-of-living adjustments are subject to State Legislature approval.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in social services, criminal justice, or a directly related field, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience sufficient to perform the essential duties.
Two years of case-management experience in related fields, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
Educational credits must be from an accredited institution approved by the U.S. Department of Education.
Knowledge of customer service principles; the criminal justice system, laws, legal codes, and court procedures; interview and assessment practices; intervention policies and procedures; cognitive skill building and motivational learning; social learning theory; crisis intervention; modern office procedures and equipment; recordkeeping; document review; and computers and related software.
Skill in making home visits, interviewing probationers, tracking probationers’ locations, using probation and protective techniques, applying laws and regulations, preparing activity reports, updating databases, operating computers and applicable software, and communicating effectively with coworkers, supervisors, the public, and others.
Ability to travel within the district and occasionally regionally for job duties.
Ability to meet the stated light-work physical demands, including occasionally exerting up to 20 pounds of force and frequently exerting up to 10 pounds.

Responsibilities

Investigate, monitor, and supervise targeted high-risk individuals on probation, post-release supervision, or in adult and juvenile Problem-Solving Court programs.
Provide counseling, case management, case reporting, and related caseload-management functions under close supervision.
Develop a team-supervision approach with referral sources, which may include probation officers, Navigation Officers, Problem-Solving Court teams, county jail staff, and prison caseworkers.
Participate in individuals’ treatment through ongoing communication with treatment providers and attendance at treatment groups and facilities; assist with relapse-prevention plans.
Facilitate topical, supervision, cognitive, skill-building, life-skills, and general-education groups.
Prepare violation and compliance reports, conduct record checks, update client information in relevant systems, and determine which reports to send to the court.
Perform pre-sentence investigations, classification and clinical assessments, and develop case plans to track and manage goals.
Work with community treatment providers, investigate violations, and discuss sanctions.
Conduct and monitor drug tests; prepare and submit probationer progress reports.
Arrest or detain probationers as authorized by statute.
Conduct field and home visits for assessment and reassessment.
Perform other duties of a similar nature or level.

Benefits

79% employer-paid health and prescription insurance
Dental and vision insurance plans available to purchase
Short-term and long-term disability insurance available to purchase
Employee Assistance Program for confidential support
Flexible Spending Account and Health Savings Account
State-matched retirement contributions, described as 156% of the first 4.8% contribution
Free $20,000 life insurance policy
Optional life insurance and AD&D available to purchase
13 paid holidays annually
Paid vacation and sick leave accruing immediately
Military leave and funeral/bereavement leave
Paid training
Free continuing education credits for maintaining professional certifications
Access to specialized courses through Judicial Branch Education
Potential bilingual pay