Corrections Unit Caseworker - Lincoln Area
State of Nebraska

The work we do matters!

Hiring Agency:
Correctional Services - Agency 46

Location:
Lincoln, NE

Hiring Rate:
$29.710

Job Posting:
JR2024-00010268 Corrections Unit Caseworker - Lincoln Area (Evergreen) (Open)

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

Job Description:
Are you looking for a position that offers a competitive salary with advancement opportunities plus benefits to include:
•medical/dental/vision insurance
•free basic life insurance
•156% state-matched retirement
•100% tuition assistance
•paid vacation and sick leave that begin accruing immediately
•13 holidays
•military leave
•Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) eligible through the Federal government

Information about the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) can be found at: www.corrections.nebraska.gov. For more information about this position, please call 402-479-6248 or 402-479-3233. For Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations, please contact Megan Jones at megan.jones@nebraska.gov.

DUTIES:
•Schedules, distributes/balances, and guides the work assignments of inmates/offenders in accordance with workflow/assignment requirements, to complete work in a timely fashion.
•Monitors and reports on work performance of assigned inmates/offenders, to determine overall conformity with established timetables and quality standards and to document and communicate performance and training needs.
•Trains inmates/offenders in specific task and job practices of sanitation to improve and maintain their performance levels.
•Inspects unit and living areas to ensure required safety and sanitation standards are met.
•Writes reports on inspections, inmate/offender grievances, disciplinary actions, and inmate/offender performance to document activities, to have a permanent record, and to provide management with information.
•Observes inmates/offenders in the housing unit area to detect abnormalities, problems, or unrest and to initiate corrective actions.
•Instructs inmates/offenders on the rules and regulations of the unit and expected behavior, in order to orientate new inmates/offenders to the prison environment and to develop a constructive rapport with them.
•Reports observations and information to assist in the development of personalized treatment programs.
•Research inmates'/offenders' backgrounds to establish a treatment file and to provide information for proper classification.
•Counsels inmates/offenders, including crisis intervention, to assist them in adapting to the prison environment; solving problems; filing grievances; and planning for treatment changes, furloughs, and parole. Directs compliance with all administrative regulations, operational memorandums, post orders, State statutes, and agency policies and procedures to maintain prison order and effective prison operation.
•Evaluates specific charges and facts and recommends appropriate corrective action by participating in disciplinary hearings to properly discipline inmates/offenders for noncompliance with established policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
•Recommends changes in inmate/offender programming by participating on committees, disciplinary hearings, and unit staff team meetings to better recommend programming that would be beneficial for the inmate/offender and contribute to the security of the facility.
•Overtime, voluntary and mandatory, includes weekends, holidays, and double shifts.
•We work seven (7) days a week, 365 days a year. These shifts may include afternoons, evenings, late nights, weekends, and holidays. You will be assigned to one of these shifts based upon facility needs. Must be able to work a shift assignment including weekends and holidays.

Requirements / Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: Associate's degree in criminal justice, behavioral science, human services or related field OR two years of experience working with persons referred through the legal system. Must be at least 18 years of age. No felony or domestic abuse related convictions.

Preferred Qualifications: Bilingual skills in English and Spanish desired and assessed.

Other: Must have a valid driver's license. Transcripts required at time of appointment. Applicants accepting a job offer must pass a medical exam, and at a randomly announced time, pass a drug test. Once at the Staff Training Academy, must successfully complete the fully paid NE Corrections Training Program.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Knowledge of: organizational structure; administrative regulations; operational memorandums; unit policies and procedures; counseling techniques and procedures; programs and opportunities open to inmates; caseload management.

Ability to: communicate effectively with inmates/off enders, staff, and the public; exercise leadership and sound judgment; operate within established guidelines; plan, assign, and monitor the work of others; effectively counsel inmates/off enders; write reports and make recommendations; observe inmates/offenders and detect problems or unrest; understand and apply instructions.


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.