Specialized Populations Officer

Specialized Populations Officer (Open)

Agency:
Supreme Court - Agency 5

Location:

Lexington, NE
Hiring Rate: $28.997
Salary: $60,313.77 annually

• Provide case management and supervision of high‑risk individuals in the Problem‑Solving Court (PSC) program, post‑release supervision, and other high‑risk adult and juvenile probationers, including sex offenders, domestic violence offenders, and drug offenders.
• Conduct pre‑sentence investigations, classification and clinical assessments for PSC participants to identify needs.
• Develop and track case plans and monitor progress toward goals.
• Work with community treatment providers and investigate violations, discussing sanctions.
• Lead cognitive group therapy meetings and perform/monitor drug tests.
• Prepare and submit probationer progress reports; arrest or detain probationers per statute.
• Conduct field and home visits for assessment and reassessment.
• Handle case plans and reporting under supervisor guidance; perform other related duties.

• Investigate, monitor, and supervise targeted, program‑specific high‑risk individuals on probation or involved in a PSC adult and juvenile offenders program.
• Perform counseling, case management, case reporting, and related functions under close supervision.
• Develop a team supervision approach with referral sources (probation officer, Navigation Officer, PSC Team, County Jail staff, Prison Caseworker).
• Participate in the treatment process, maintaining ongoing communication with treatment providers and attending treatment groups and facilities; assist in relapse prevention plan development.
• Facilitate groups (e.g., topical, supervision, cognitive, skill building, life skills, general education).
• Prepare violation reports, compliance reports, conduct record checks; enter and update client information; determine reports to send to the court.
• Perform other duties of a similar nature or level.

• Regular travel within the district to conduct community visits and support operations.
• Occasional regional travel for orientation, training, and educational workshops.

• Core office hours Monday–Friday daytime; some non‑traditional hours may be required as part of a 24/7 commitment to community safety.

• Starting Salary: $60,313.77 annually (Hiring Rate).
• Immediate Growth:
  Earn a 2.5% pay increase after successfully completing the probation period.
• Higher starting pay may be considered based on education and experience, subject to final management approval.
• * 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.

• Minimum Qualifications:
• Education:
  
  Bachelor’s degree in social services, criminal justice, or a directly related field.
• Experience:
  
  Two (2) years of case‑management experience in related fields.
• Note:
  
  An equivalent combination of relevant education and experience sufficient to perform the essential duties will also be accepted.
• All educational credits must be granted 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 and practices.
• Intervention policies and procedures.
• Cognitive skill building and motivational learning.
• Social learning theory.
• Crisis intervention techniques.
• Modern office procedures and equipment.
• 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 and updating databases.
• Operating computers and applicable software applications.
• Utilizing communication and interpersonal skills with coworkers, supervisors, the general public, and others.
• Physical Requirements:
  
  Incumbents may be subjected to environmental threats, odors, dust, inadequate lighting,…