Probation Officer Trainee

State-of-Nebraska; Gering (NE); On-site; USD 39,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Short/Long-term disability

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Job summary

Supreme Court – Agency 5 in Gering, NE is seeking a Probation Officer Trainee. This entry-level role trains under supervision for one year, handling investigations of offenders, intake processes, and supervision duties with a caseload. You’ll learn to present findings in court and perform risk assessments.

The position involves in-office work, travel within the district, and occasional regional training. Starting salary aligns with state pay scales, with post-probation increases and annual COLA

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social services or criminal justice. Degree must be from an accredited institution approved by the U.S. Dept. of Education.
• Knowledge of criminal justice system, laws, codes, and court procedures.
• Skills include customer service, interviewing, crisis intervention, and record-keeping.

Responsibilities

• Become familiar with various pre-sentence/pre-disposition investigations for adults and juveniles.
• Provide sentencing recommendations to the court based on findings.
• Perform risk assessments to determine supervision level and monitor drug screens.
• Meet with probationers to provide counseling and manage caseloads.
• Prepare violation reports and maintain client information in appropriate systems.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Customer service principles

Criminal Justice system

Interviews and assessments

Crisis intervention techniques

Office procedures

Record-keeping

Computers and software

Interpersonal communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social services or criminal justice

Tools

Computers and related software

Job description

The work we do matters!Hiring Agency:Supreme Court - Agency 5Location:Gering, NEHiring Rate:$17.137Job Posting:JR2026-00028992 Probation Officer Trainee (Open)Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed):09-11-2026Job Description:** The Judicial Branch does not sponsor STEM (form i-983) or non-immigrant work visas for this position. **The Judicial Branch offers:Health & Wellness79% employer-paid health and prescription insuranceDental and vision insurance plans available to purchaseShort-Term and Long-Term Disability, available to purchaseEmployee Assistance Program (EAP) for confidential supportFlex Spending (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA)Financial Security156% state-matched of the first 4.8% contribution to retirement planFREE $20,000 Life Insurance PolicyOptional Life Insurance and AD&D available to purchasePaid Time Off & Leave13 paid holidays annuallyPaid vacation and sick leave that begin accruing immediatelyMilitary leave and Funeral/Bereavement leaveProfessional GrowthPaid training to develop your skillsFree continuing education credits to maintain professional certificationsAccess to specialized courses through Judicial Branch EducationOpportunity for bilingual payJob Description: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.Location: In-Office only .1740 10 StreetGering, NE 69341Travel Expectations:Regular travel within the district to conduct community visits and support operations as part of our commitment to active community supervision.Occasional regional travel for orientation, training, and educational workshops.Work Schedule:The office’s core hours are Monday–Friday daytime. As part of our 24/7 commitment to community safety, some non-traditional hours may be required.Salary and Compensation:Starting Salary : $42,863.87 annually (Hiring Rate).Immediate Growth*: Earn a 2.5% pay increase after successfully completing your probation period.Starting Rate Flexibility : Higher starting pay may be considered based on education and experience, subject to final management approval.*Please Note: Candidates approved to start above the Hiring Rate (at or above the Minimum Permanent rate) are not eligible for the 2.5% post-probation increase.Future Increases : Annual cost-of-living adjustments (applied on July 1) are subject to State Legislature approval.Job Duties1. 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 in 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 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.Requirements / QualificationsMinimum Qualifications:Education: Bachelor’s degree in social services or criminal justiceConsideration will be given to candidates receiving their degree within 120 days of application.All educational credits must be granted from an accredited institution approved by the U.S. Dept. of Education.KnowledgeCustomer service principlesCriminal Justice system, laws, legal codes, and court proceduresInterview and Assessment procedures and practicesIntervention policies and proceduresSigns of various forms of abuse, mental health issues, or neglectCrisis intervention technique.Modern office procedures and equipmentRecord-keeping principlesDocument review techniquesComputers and related software applicationsSkillsMaking home visitsInterviewing probationersTracking probationers’ location(s)Utilizing probation and protective techniquesApplying applicable laws, rules, and regulationsPreparing activity reports and updating databasesOperating computers and applicable software applicationsUtilizing 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 directionPhysical RequirementsIncumbents 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/BenefitsWe 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#benefitsEqual Opportunity StatementThe 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.