Youth Justice Specialist
State of Nebraska

The work we do matters!

Hiring Agency:
Crime Commission - Agency 78

Location:
Lincoln, NE

Hiring Rate:
$18.811

Job Posting:
JR2024-00011034 Youth Justice Specialist (Open)

Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed):
11-15-2024

Job Description:
The Youth Justice Specialist will be supporting juvenile diversion programs and juvenile justice system prevention programs across Nebraska. Responsibilities include coordinating data collection, assisting in generating annual reports for the Governor and Legislature, facilitating communication among diversion programs, and providing technical assistance to programs, county attorneys, boards, and stakeholders. The position oversees Juvenile Case Management System (JCMS) user certificates, resets passwords, coordinates training and access for users, and assists with system enhancements. The incumbent in this role will support juvenile justice grant programs by providing related training, assisting other staff in managing the Community-based Juvenile Services Aid, Juvenile Services, and Title II grant programs, including monitoring grantees, and participating in grant reviews. The Youth Justice Specialist will take the leading role in organizing and managing the Crime Commission's Youth Justice statewide conferences.

Look at what we have to offer!

• 13 paid holidays
• Vacation and sick leave that begin accruing immediately
• Military leave
• 156% (that's not a typo!) state-matched retirement
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee assistance program
• 79% employer paid health insurance plans
• Dental and vision insurance plans
• Employer-paid $20,000 life insurance policy
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) through the Federal government
• Wide variety and availability of career advancement as the largest and most diverse employer in the State
• Opportunity to be part of meaningful work and make a difference through public service
• Training and Development based on your career aspirations
• Fun, inviting teammates
• A safe and secure environment

At the State, we stand by our core values of treating others with dignity and respect, acting ethically in all situations, and creating an environment where our customer is our top priority. Apply to join our team today!

Job Duties: Prepares and facilitates presentations, training, technical assistance, and educational opportunities that include, but are not limited to: conference presentations, state-wide trainings (webinars, in-services) on grant programs and application processes, grant solicitations, effective grant management and grant writing; providing tailored trainings on grant topics; use of Community-based Aid, Juvenile Services, and Title II; best-practices in the juvenile justice system; NSAT training and presentations; and juvenile diversion topics. Presents to audiences such as juvenile diversion programs, county attorneys, applicants, grantees/subgrantees, programs, grant managers, community planning teams, county boards, tribal board councils, senators, agency staff, juvenile justice system stakeholders, jail administrators, law enforcement, etc. Organizes annual statewide conference on assigned program issues attended by grantees, juvenile justice, legal, education, and other social service community organizations. Provide technical assistance and guidance to juvenile pretrial diversion programs for implementing evidence-based strategies or standardized, replicable practices that have been researched and have demonstrated positive outcomes, including initial and booster trainings for the Nebraska Screen and Assessment Tool (NSAT). Monitor NSAT compliance. Assist with updating a core juvenile pretrial diversion program packet for utilization by counties without a juvenile pretrial diversion program; Assist with updating, maintaining, and training juvenile diversion programs and county attorneys on statewide guidelines for juvenile pretrial diversion programs grounded in best-practice research. Develop relationships and collaborate with juvenile justice stakeholders involved in juvenile pretrial diversion programs, provide education and training as necessary, and serve on boards and committees when approved by the commission. Facilitate consistent communication and information-sharing among juvenile pretrial diversion program directors. Assist juvenile pretrial diversion program directors, county attorneys, district probation officers acting under section 29-2258, and county boards in developing policies and practices that achieve the goals of quality juvenile pretrial diversion programs. Provide technical assistance and guidance to counties and community collaboratives for the development of comprehensive juvenile services community plans; review and approve comprehensive juvenile services community plans required by each county who requests juvenile funding through the Nebraska Crime Commission. Adhere to legislative guidance in community planning components per statute 43-2404.01 and the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act. Assist juvenile justice system stakeholders in developing policies and practices that are research-based or standardized and reliable and are implemented with fidelity and which have been researched and demonstrate positive outcomes. Provide training, technical assistance, and networking to communities, community leaders, and organizations on proposed projects, grant application procedures, program development, and evaluation criteria. Research and develop strategies and plans and participates in trainings that will result in the ability to assist juvenile justice system stakeholders in developing policies and practices that are research-based or standardized and reliable and implemented with fidelity and which have been researched and demonstrate positive outcomes. Participate in local, regional, and national conferences to build knowledge of best practices, effective use of Crime Commission grant funds, and strengthen networks with other juvenile justice stakeholders and other key state agencies. Monitor and review deliverables from any contract entered into through the Justice and Youth Programs division, including the evaluation of programs receiving funds from grants from the Crime Commission. Facilitate and/or attend meetings with contractors, Systems and Research Division and others to track and provide assistance on any deliverable of the evaluation contract, development of the common dataset and the Juvenile Case Management System and determine future deliverables necessary to fulfill the duties and intent of the Community-based Juvenile Services Aid program or other grant program at the Crime Commission. Assist in the administration of Juvenile Case Management System accounts. Provide training to subgrantees and programs on the data collection and evaluation protocols, assist with statewide data collection, and collaborate with the evaluation contractor on the classification of programs funded through the grant, obtaining users access to the Juvenile Case Management System, training users on data entry requirements, working with subgrantees on missing data reports, and other items necessary for the evaluation of Crime Commission grants. Assist in the creation, monitoring and enforcement of agreements among the providers, subgrantees, and commission to ensure the confidentiality of data entry. Assist with juvenile diversion data collection and evaluation protocols, and the annual report on juvenile pretrial diversion programs. Assist in the review of Community-based Juvenile Services Aid Program applications, Juvenile Services Commission Grant Program applications, Title II applications, Office of Violence Prevention applications, and other grant program applications as required. Monitor deadlines for reporting by grant recipients and by Crime Commission staff. Other tasks related to the day-to-day operations of Community-based Juvenile Services Aid, Juvenile Services, and Title II Grant programs as needed. Assist in the development and coordination Nebraska Coalition for Juvenile Justice subcommittees, including juvenile diversion, community planning, grant review, young adult, racial and ethnic disparities, and other statewide working groups to assist in regular strategic planning related to supporting, funding, monitoring, and evaluating the effectiveness of plans and programs receiving funds from grants from the Nebraska Crime Commission, or running juvenile diversion programs. Manage and coordinate the juvenile diversion subcommittee to assist in regular strategic planning. Monitors overall program budget and allocation of funds through the ongoing review of accounting documents, review of audits from contracted programs, and on-site evaluation reviews. Reviews and prepares written and oral summaries on state and federal legislation. Responds to information requests from the public, federal and state agencies. Writes program policy and procedures consistent with state or federal guidelines. Coordinates the development of program goals and evaluation criteria with agency staff, community officials, and/or other state government staff. Other duties as assigned with the classification.

Requirements / Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: At least one year of post high school coursework or experience in: administration, office management, accounting, finance, planning, policy analysis and implementation, administrative/management analysis, operations research, program evaluation, research, or similar fields or in a field related to the programs or functions of the employing agency.

Preferred Qualifications: Juvenile justice system experience; grant management experience; experience working with youth and/or families with lived experience in the juvenile or child welfare system; Data collection and analysis experience; Experience working with juvenile detention, YRTC, jail, corrections, residential facility, or other youth facility; PREA compliance experience or knowledge; Experience working with juvenile based grant programs in either a county or state environment and in a multiple agency capacity involving either state, county or federal stakeholders. Experience in state or local government or community programs. Experience working with collaboratives and strategic and community planning. Experience with Microsoft applications.

Other: This position requires travel. As such, the incumbent must be able to present a valid driver's license or another form of reliable transportation. Regular and reliable attendance is required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of: Nebraska's juvenile justice system; administering grant processes including: submission of grant applications, submission of grant reports, and monitoring of sub-grantees; guiding the work of, and providing staff support to, an advisory board; developing, writing and executing a strategic work plan for a government or non-profit body; data collection and analysis; evidence based practices in juvenile justice.

Skills in: effective oral and written communication; organizational skills; Ability to develop and maintain strong collaborative working relationships; Strong presentation skills; program evaluation; ability to be creative, use independent judgment, to think critically and adjust to a wide range of situations

Ability to: communicate effectively; work under pressure; meet deadlines; analyze and evaluate data; work independently with little supervision; present information; speak to large groups; identify and resolve problems; prepare reports; listen effectively; persuade others; develop standards and policies.


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.

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