The work we do matters!

Hiring Agency:

Supreme Court - Agency 5

Location:

Ainsworth, NE, O'Neill, NE, Valentine, NE

Hiring Rate:

$20.278

Job Posting:

JR2026-00022799 Probation Officer Trainee (Open)

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

Job Description:

The Judicial Branch is a state-funded Branch of Government that offers:
• medical/dental/vision
• $20,000 free basic life insurance
• state-matched 156% retirement plan
• 13 paid holidays
• earned paid vacation and sick leave
• and more

This entry level position involves job orientation and training under close supervision for a period of one year to afford the trainee an opportunity to gain experience and develop ability. Incumbents of this classification are trained in performing investigatory and supervisory responsibilities involving offenders, under direct supervision for an assigned district. Additional Training includes managing a caseload; preparing investigation reports; supervising offenders; conducting intake and detention interviews; testifying in courts; performing drug and alcohol testing; arresting or detaining defenders under directions; and managing and maintaining the electronic monitoring equipment.

Starting salary: $42,178.47 per year

Location: Ainsworth, Valentine, or O'Neil

JOB DUTIES

1. Become familiar with various types of pre-sentence/pre-disposition investigations for adults and juvenile offenders including conducting intake and assessment interviews with offenders, families, and others to gather information on the individual and determine environmental factors that led to delinquent behaviors.

2. Becomes familiar with providing recommendations for sentencing to the court based on case findings. Also be trained on presenting information verbally and in writing before the court and completing intake paperwork.

3. Becomes familiar with performing risk assessments to determine proper supervision level of client; recommending incentives and/or sanctions based on assessment; monitoring drug screens.

4. Introduced and trained on meeting with clients on probation in order to provide counseling, complete case reporting, and other related functions of managing a caseload. This includes conducting assessments or follow ups; providing direction to help clients accomplish court requirements; providing referrals to community resources including food, shelter, and work.

5. Introduced and trained on preparing violation reports, compliance reports and conducting record checks; Training also includes the entering and updating client information into appropriate systems; determining reports to send to the court for updates.

6. Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

The above classification responsibilities represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the department.

The Judicial Branch values our employees as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. We recruit, hire, train and promote in all job qualifications at all levels without regard to race, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or genetics. The Judicial Branch complies with Veterans Preference Laws.

Requirements / Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in social services, criminal justice. Consideration will be given to candidates receiving their degree within 120 days of application.

To Promote to Probation Officer: Bachelor’s degree in social services, criminal justice or directly related field, and 1 year of experience in related field, (or completing 1 year as a PO Trainee and all related education & safety classes)

All educational credits must be granted from an accredited institution approved by the U.S. Dept. of Education.

Home Office Options: Ainsworth, Valentine, or O'Neill
Travel between all three locations will be required.

Trainee Starting Salary: $42,178.47 per year

Promoting to Probation Officer- Starting Salary: $48,826.90 per year

KNOWLEDGE

Customer service principles.
Criminal Justice system, laws, legal codes, and court procedures.
Interview and Assessment procedures and practices.
Intervention policies and procedures.
Signs of various forms of abuse, mental health issues, or neglect.
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’ location(s).
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 as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisors, the general public and others to sufficiently exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Incumbents may be subjected to environmental threats, odors, dusts, inadequate lighting, workspace restrictions, and travel.

Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work.

If you're currently employed by the State of Nebraska, please don't apply through this external career site. Instead, log in to Workday and open the Jobs Hub - Internal Apply app from your home landing page. You can access Workday anytime through the Link web page: https://link.nebraska.gov/

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.

Learn more about this Employer on their Career Site