Probation Officer Trainee; Juvenile

Job Overview

Probation Officer Trainee (Juvenile) – an entry‑level position involving orientation and training under close supervision for a period of one year, designed to provide trainees with experience in supervisory responsibilities for offenders.

The Judicial Branch does not sponsor STEM (form i‑983) or non‑immigrant work visas for this position.

Location:

300 N St. Joseph Ave Suite 210, Hastings, NE 68901 (in‑office only).

Travel Expectations:
Regular travel within the district to conduct community visits; occasional regional travel for orientation, training, and workshops.

Office core hours Monday–Friday daytime. Some non‑traditional hours may be required as part of 24/7 commitment to community safety.

Starting Salary: $42,863.87 annually. 2.5% pay increase after successfully completing the probation period. Higher starting pay may be considered based on education and experience. Annual cost‑of‑living adjustments (applied July
1) are subject to state legislation.

• Familiarize with pre‑sentence/pre‑disposition investigations, conduct intake and assessment interviews, gather information, and determine environmental factors leading to delinquency.
• Provide sentencing recommendations to the court, present findings verbally and in writing, and complete intake paperwork.
• Perform risk assessments to determine supervision level, recommend incentives and/or sanctions, and monitor drug screens.
• Meet with probation clients to provide counseling, case reporting, conduct assessments or follow‑ups, and refer to community resources.
• Prepare violation and compliance reports, conduct record checks, enter and update client information in systems, and send required court updates.
• Perform other duties of a similar nature or level.

• Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in social services or criminal justice (within 120days of application). All credits must be from an accredited institution approved by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Knowledge: Customer service principles; criminal justice system, laws, legal codes, and court procedures; interview and assessment procedures; intervention policies; signs of abuse, mental health issues, or neglect; crisis intervention techniques; modern office procedures; record‑keeping principles; document review techniques; computers and related software applications.
• Skills: Making home visits; interviewing probationers; tracking probationers’ locations; utilizing probation and protective techniques; applying applicable laws, rules, and regulations; preparing activity reports; operating computers and software; utilizing communication and interpersonal skills.

Incumbents may be subjected to environmental threats, odors, dusts, inadequate lighting, workspace restrictions, and travel. Light work: exerting up to 20pounds of force occasionally, up to 10pounds of force frequently, or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If arm/leg exertion requires forces greater than for sedentary work, the job is rated Light Work.

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.