Specialized Populations Officer (Juvenile)

State of Nebraska•Grand Island, NE

1d•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, and specialized adult and juvenile probation cases, including sex offenses, domestic violence, and drug offenses. Assignments may include pre-sentence investigations, clinical assessments, case planning, coordination with community treatment providers, violation investigations, sanctions discussions, group facilitation, drug testing, progress reporting, and field and home visits. Case assignments are made by rotation and supervisor assignment for Problem-Solving Courts. The position investigates, monitors, or supervises targeted high-risk individuals; manages a caseload under close supervision; and coordinates a team-based supervision approach with referral sources and other relevant personnel. It participates in treatment through regular communication with providers and attendance at treatment groups and facilities, and assists with relapse-prevention planning. The officer also prepares compliance and violation reports, conducts record checks, updates client information in appropriate systems, and determines which reports should be sent to the court. The position is based at 117 East 1st, Grand Island, Nebraska. It involves regular travel within the district for community visits and operational support, as well as occasional regional travel for orientation, training, and educational workshops. Core hours are Monday through Friday during the daytime, with occasional on-call, evening, weekend, and holiday availability required. The starting salary is $60,313.77 annually. A 2.5% increase may be awarded after successful completion of the probation period for employees starting at the hiring rate; employees starting at or above the minimum permanent rate are not eligible for that increase. Higher starting pay may be considered based on education and experience, subject to management approval. Future annual cost-of-living adjustments are subject to State Legislature approval.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in social services, criminal justice, or a directly related field, and two years of case-management experience in related fields; an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be accepted.
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 applications.
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 software, and communicating effectively with coworkers, supervisors, the public, and others.
Ability to travel regularly within the district and occasionally regionally, and to provide occasional on-call, evening, weekend, and holiday availability.
Ability to meet the stated light-work physical demands: exert up to 20 pounds occasionally, up to 10 pounds frequently, and negligible force constantly; work may involve environmental threats, odors, dust, inadequate lighting, workspace restrictions, and travel.

Nice To Haves

Higher starting pay may be considered based on education and experience, subject to final management approval.
Bilingual ability may qualify for bilingual pay.

Responsibilities

Investigate, monitor, and supervise targeted, program-specific high-risk individuals on probation, post-release supervision, or in adult and juvenile Problem-Solving Courts.
Provide counseling, case management, case reporting, and related functions for an assigned caseload under close supervision.
Develop a team-supervision approach with referral sources and other relevant personnel.
Participate in individuals’ treatment through ongoing communication with treatment providers and attendance at treatment groups and facilities; assist in developing relapse-prevention plans.
Facilitate topical, supervision, cognitive, skill-building, life-skills, and general education groups.
Prepare violation and compliance reports, conduct record checks, enter and update client information in relevant systems, and determine reports to send to the court.
Perform pre-sentence investigations, assessments, case planning, drug testing, progress reporting, and field and home visits as assigned.
Perform other duties of a similar nature or level.

Benefits

Employer-paid health and prescription insurance (79% employer-paid).
Dental and vision insurance plans available to purchase.
Short-term and long-term disability available to purchase.
Employee Assistance Program for confidential support.
Flexible Spending Account and Health Savings Account.
State matching of 156% of the first 4.8% contribution to the retirement plan.
Free $20,000 life insurance policy.
Optional life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment coverage 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 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 the probation period for eligible employees starting at the hiring rate.
Potential annual cost-of-living adjustments, subject to State Legislature approval.