Inmate Mental Health Counselor – Impactful Care

State of Nebraska; Lincoln (NE); On-site; USD 48,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Vacation and sick leave

Military leave

Retirement matching

Tuition reimbursement

Employee assistance program

Health insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Life insurance

PSLF eligible

Training and development opportunities

Job summary

State of Nebraska is seeking a Behavioral Health Practitioner for the Nebraska State Penitentiary (NSP) in Lincoln. The role provides mental health counseling to a diverse inmate population, contributing to safety, rehabilitation, and treatment planning.

The position requires Nebraska licensure (or provisionals) with on‑site work, a strong commitment to public service, and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team. Competitive benefits and a focus on growth accompany this essential role.

Qualifications

• Licensed or provisionally licensed mental health practitioner per Nebraska requirements.
• Eligibility for Behavioral Health Practitioner licensure at multiple levels as described.
• Proven ability to work with incarcerated populations and maintain confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group counseling to inmates and crisis intervention.
• Complete timely written documentation for assigned inmates.
• Consult with staff regarding inmate mental status and treatment progression; participate in MDT meetings.
• Screen and refer inmates to appropriate review teams.
• Assess risk for suicidal individuals; participate in initial screening and orientation of new inmates.
• On-call mental health coverage outside regular hours; perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Counseling

Documentation

Risk assessment

Team collaboration

On-call availability

Education

Provisional license to practice as a mental health practitioner in Nebraska

Nebraska License as Mental Health Practitioner

Nebraska license as Mental Health Practitioner or Nebraska license as Alcohol and Drug Counselor AND Nebraska Provisional License as Mental Health Practitioner or Nebraska Provisional License as Alcohol and Drug Counselor

State of Nebraska licenses as Mental Health Practitioner and Alcohol and Drug Counselor

Job description

State of Nebraska is seeking a Behavioral Health Practitioner for the Nebraska State Penitentiary (NSP) in Lincoln. The role provides mental health counseling to a diverse inmate population, contributing to safety, rehabilitation, and treatment planning.

The position requires Nebraska licensure (or provisionals) with on‑site work, a strong commitment to public service, and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team. Competitive benefits and a focus on growth accompany this essential role.