Certified Master Social Worker - Reception and Treatment Center
State of Nebraska

The work we do matters!

Hiring Agency:
Correctional Services - Agency 46

Location:
Lincoln, NE

Hiring Rate:
$28.990

Job Posting:
JR2024-00004810 Certified Master Social Worker - Reception and Treatment Center (Open)

Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed):

Job Description:
The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) employs nearly 2,300 team members operating nine institutions statewide, which house approximately 5,200 inmates. The department's focus includes inmate programming and education, physical and behavioral health care, re-entry services, and community programs, and is accredited by the American Correctional Association (ACA). Candidates will model the NDCS Values of integrity, respect, compassion, growth, and excellence as we accomplish our mission, "Keep people safe."

Hiring rate is $28.990/hour PLUS $3/hour facility differential for hours worked.
For additional information, call Amy Rezny at 402-430-1895. For Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations, please contact Megan Jones at megan.jones@nebraska.gov.

DUTIES:
Conduct comprehensive assessments and provide discharge planning and reentry assistance primarily to inmates with high needs, and particularly to inmates who have an identified serious mental illness, substance abuse diagnoses, sex offenses and/or inmates with chronic medical conditions. Serve as a liaison with community providers, families and state and federal assistance programs. Provide information/education about resources to other inmates and staff throughout the Department of Correctional Services. Participate on behavioral health interdisciplinary team to coordinate care and create individualized treatment plans. Opportunity to supervise social work interns. Obtain/maintain full certification as a Certified Master Social Worker. Encouraged but not mandatory: obtain/maintain full licensure as a Mental Health Practitioner or Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner. Clinical supervision is provided.

Requirements/Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Certified Master Social Worker:Masters degree in social work and two years of Master Social Worker experience. Certification as a Master Social Worker by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is required in accordance with Neb. Rev. Stat. §38-2128.

Master Social Worker: Master's degree in social work.

Other: Proof of licensure and transcripts required upon acceptance of job offer. Unlicensed applicants or recent graduates accepting a job offer must be issued provisional licensure prior to attending pre-service training program. License eligible candidates must be actively pursuing licensure to become fully licensed as a Certified Master Social Worker within a period not to exceed five years from date of hire, by completing 3000 hours of social work experience under the direct supervision of an LICSW or other qualified professional. Top candidates subject to background security check. Applicants accepting a job offer must pass the pre-employment medical exam and a drug test. Once employed, all incumbents must successfully complete the fully paid Nebraska Department of Correctional Services pre-service training program.

Knowledge, skills & abilities

Knowledge of: Social Work code of ethics, ability to enforce boundaries both personally and professionally, theories and methods of social diagnosis and psychosocial assessment; social systems, family systems, systems theory, and social institutions; the cause of social problem areas and their impact on individuals, families, and communities; State and federal laws and regulations affecting social, legal, and health services; concepts and techniques of social planning; models of psychosocial assessment and intervention; crisis intervention theories and techniques; human behavior, growth, and development; theories of family and social interactions; professional terminology as related to therapy, psychology, and human services.

Skill in: observing and interpreting verbal and non-verbal behavior; interviewing clients to collect and elicit essential information and assess needs and progress; listening to and understanding information received from others; communicating so others understand; conducting differential diagnosis of individuals and groups; utilizing personality theory and diagnostic methods in setting a therapeutic context and formulating goals; assessing functional impairments so they can be addressed in treatment and discharge planning; assembling relevant facts to formulate a comprehensive psychosocial evaluation; discussing sensitive/emotional subjects in a non-threatening, supportive manner; utilizing appropriate social work intervention methods to build client strengths and facilitate positive change; establishing and maintaining rapport with clients and families.

Ability to: conduct psychotherapy of a complex nature; interpret complex psychosocial phenomena; serve as a role model in a professional relationship with clients and social work staff; communicate social work practice and theory to professionals in other disciplines; mediate negotiations between patients, families/guardians and clinicians; generate creative and effective means of dealing with obstacles in the implementation of discharge plans and the provision of social work services to clients; write concise and accurate reports and correspondence.


Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation.

Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer! Benefit eligibility may vary by position, agency and employment status. For more information on benefits, please visit: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits

Equal Opportunity Statement

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.

Current employees of the State of Nebraska should NOT apply on this external career. Instead go to Workday and access the Jobs Hub - Internal Apply app from your home landing page.