Recreation Specialist - Nebraska State Penitentiary

son; Lincoln (NE); On-site; USD 33,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

13 paid holidays

Vacation and sick leave (24 days)

Uniforms provided

Health insurance

PSLF eligible

Tuition reimbursement

Retirement plan

Dental and vision insurance

Life insurance

Job summary

State of Nebraska seeks a Recreation Specialist to design, implement and oversee a dynamic recreation program for inmates at the Nebraska State Penitentiary. You will coordinate activities such as sports, music, and cultural events, guiding participants and volunteers while maintaining safety and records.

Requirements include a bachelor’s degree in recreation management or related field; experience in recreation management is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in recreation management or related field; substitution allowed year-for-year.
• Experience in recreation management, recreation therapy, or a related field may be substituted for the degree on a year for year basis.
• Bilingual skills in English and Spanish desired and assessed.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning, developing and implementing a recreation and leisure program for inmates, including athletics, music, television programming, cultural events and activities.
• Supervise daily use of equipment and materials.
• Develop and coordinate outside community contacts.
• Encourage participation in events.
• Maintain records and inventory and assist in policy development.
• Assist in the maintenance of security and sanitation.
• Perform searches.
• Move equipment weighing up to 50 lbs. with assistance.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

Bachelor's degree in recreation management

Bachelor's degree in recreation or related field

Job description

The work we do matters!

Hiring Agency:

Correctional Services - Agency 46

Location:

Lincoln, NE

Hiring Rate:

$22.905

Job Posting:

JR2026-00022508 Recreation Specialist - Nebraska State Penitentiary (Evergreen) (Open)

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

Job Description:

The Nebraska State Penitentiary (NSP) is looking for a motivated teammate to organize structured, fun, action-packed activities for the incarcerated population.

Information about the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) can be found at: www.corrections.nebraska.gov. For Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations, please contact Megan Jones at [e-mail].

Additional $3.00/hour facility differential for hours worked PLUS:

• 13 paid holidays
• Vacation and sick leave (24 days your first year, accruing immediately)
• Military leave
• 156% state-matched retirement
• Tuition reimbursement
• Uniforms provided
• 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) eligible through the Federal government
• Wide variety and availability of career advancement
• Meaningful public service -- service with a purpose!
• Numerous training and development opportunities

DUTIES:

• Assist in planning, developing and implementing a recreation and leisure program for inmates, including athletics, music, television programming, cultural events and activities.
• Supervise daily use of equipment and materials.
• Develop and coordinate outside community contacts.
• Encourage participation in events.
• Maintain records and inventory and assist in policy development.
• Assist in the maintenance of security and sanitation.
• Perform searches.
• Move equipment weighing up to 50 lbs. with assistance.

Requirements / Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in recreation management, recreation therapy, or a related field. Experience in recreation management, recreation therapy, or a related field may be substituted for the degree on a year for year basis.

Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in recreation or related field. Bilingual skills in English and Spanish desired and assessed.

Other: Transcripts required prior to appointment. Applicants accepting a job offer must pass the following pre-employment exams in this order: 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.

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.