Specialized Populations Officer

State of Nebraska•Omaha, NE

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Specialized Populations Officer provides case management and supervision for high-risk individuals in Problem-Solving Court programs, post-release supervision, or specialized adult and juvenile probation cases, including sex offenses, domestic violence, and drug offenses. The role may involve pre-sentence investigations; classification and clinical assessments; case planning; coordination with community treatment providers; investigation of violations and discussion of sanctions; cognitive group meetings; drug testing; progress reporting; arrests or detention as permitted by statute; and field and home visits. Problem-Solving Court assignments are based on rotation and supervisor assignment. This position is with District 4J–Juvenile in Omaha, Nebraska, at 1723 Harney St. It involves regular travel within the district for community visits and operational support, and occasional regional travel for orientation, training, and educational workshops. Core hours are Monday through Friday during the daytime, with required availability for on-call, evening, weekend, and holiday work as part of a 24/7 commitment to community safety. The hiring rate is $60,313.77 annually. A 2.5% increase may follow successful completion of the probation period, except for candidates approved to start at or above the Minimum Permanent rate. Higher starting pay may be considered based on education and experience, subject to management approval. Annual cost-of-living adjustments, applied July 1, are subject to State Legislature approval. The Judicial Branch does not sponsor STEM (Form I-983) or non-immigrant work visas for this position.

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 procedures; intervention policies and procedures; cognitive skill-building and motivational learning; social learning theory; crisis intervention techniques; modern office procedures and equipment; recordkeeping principles; document review techniques; and computers and related software.
Skills in making home visits, interviewing probationers, tracking probationers’ locations, using probation and protective techniques, applying applicable laws and regulations, preparing activity reports and updating databases, operating computers and applicable software, and communicating effectively with coworkers, supervisors, the public, and others.

Responsibilities

Investigate, monitor, and supervise targeted high-risk individuals on probation, post-release supervision, or involved in adult and juvenile Problem-Solving Courts.
Provide counseling, case management, case reporting, and related caseload management functions under close supervision.
Develop a team supervision approach with the individual’s referral source, such as a probation officer, Navigation Officer, Problem-Solving Court Team, county jail staff, or prison caseworker.
Participate in individuals’ treatment through ongoing communication with providers and attendance at treatment groups and facilities; assist with relapse-prevention plans.
Facilitate groups, including topical and supervision groups, cognitive programs, skill-building, life-skills enhancement, and general education for clients.
Prepare violation and compliance reports, conduct record checks, update client information in appropriate systems, and determine which reports to send to the court.
Perform other duties of a similar nature or level.
Potentially perform pre-sentence investigations, participant classification and clinical assessments, case planning, community-provider coordination, violation investigations, sanction discussions, cognitive group therapy meetings, drug testing, probationer progress reporting, arrests or detention as permitted by statute, and field and home visits.

Benefits

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
Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA)
State-matched retirement-plan contributions: 156% match 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 to develop skills
Free continuing education credits to maintain professional certifications
Access to specialized courses through Judicial Branch Education
Opportunity for bilingual pay
Potential 2.5% pay increase after successful completion of probation, subject to the stated eligibility conditions
Potential annual cost-of-living adjustments, subject to State Legislature approval