Youth Facilities Senior Administrator

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services; Hastings (NE); On-site; USD 127,500 - 172,500; Full time

Job summary

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is seeking a Youth Facilities Senior Administrator to provide strategic leadership for Nebraska's youth rehabilitation and treatment facilities and associated juvenile justice programs.

This role requires collaboration with courts, law enforcement, education, and community partners; oversight of budgets and programs; and a strong commitment to trauma-informed, evidence-based practices to improve outcomes for youth and public safety.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and at least seven years of progressively responsible leadership experience overseeing juvenile justice, corrections, residential treatment, behavioral health, child welfare, or other complex human service programs.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care and evidence-based practices is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for Nebraska's youth rehabilitation and treatment facilities and assigned juvenile justice programs.
• Oversee the administration and performance of Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Centers (YRTCs), ensuring safe, effective, and compliant operations.
• Develop and implement operational strategies that improve outcomes for youth while supporting rehabilitation, treatment, and public safety.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal and state laws, regulations, licensing requirements, accreditation standards, and juvenile justice best practices.
• Lead quality assurance, performance management, and continuous improvement initiatives using data to drive operational excellence.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate policies, procedures, and evidence-based treatment and rehabilitation programs.
• Oversee facility budgets, contracts, grants, and resource allocation to ensure effective stewardship of public resources.
• Partner with courts, probation, law enforcement, behavioral health providers, education systems, community organizations, tribal governments, and other state agencies to coordinate services for justice‑involved youth.
• Serve as the department's representative with executive leadership, legislators, stakeholder groups, and community partners regarding youth facility operations and juvenile justice initiatives.
• Foster trauma‑informed, family‑centered, culturally responsive practices throughout youth rehabilitation programs.
• Lead, coach, and develop facility leadership while promoting accountability, employee engagement, and operational excellence.
• Respond to critical incidents, emergency situations, legislative priorities, and other issues requiring executive leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Budget management

Oversight of multi-site operations

Education

Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, public administration, behavioral sciences, social work, psychology, human services, or a closely related field

Master’s degree in Public Administration, Criminal Justice, Business Administration, Behavioral Sciences, or a related field

Job description

JR2026-00028005 Youth Facilities Senior Administrator (Open)

Agency

Health & Human Services – Agency 25

Location & Availability

This position can be located in Kearney or Hastings, Nebraska. The role requires regular presence at all YRTC locations and availability during evenings and weekends in response to emergent operational needs.

Hiring Rate

$1,000

Salary

Beginning at $150,000 annually, commensurate with education and experience, if approved.

Leadership

Reports to the Children & Family Services Director, Dr. Alyssa Bish.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and strategic direction for Nebraska's youth rehabilitation and treatment facilities and assigned juvenile justice programs.
• Oversee the administration and performance of Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Centers (YRTCs), ensuring safe, effective, and compliant operations.
• Develop and implement operational strategies that improve outcomes for youth while supporting rehabilitation, treatment, and public safety.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal and state laws, regulations, licensing requirements, accreditation standards, and juvenile justice best practices.
• Lead quality assurance, performance management, and continuous improvement initiatives using data to drive operational excellence.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate policies, procedures, and evidence-based treatment and rehabilitation programs.
• Oversee facility budgets, contracts, grants, and resource allocation to ensure effective stewardship of public resources.
• Partner with courts, probation, law enforcement, behavioral health providers, education systems, community organizations, tribal governments, and other state agencies to coordinate services for justice‑involved youth.
• Serve as the department's representative with executive leadership, legislators, stakeholder groups, and community partners regarding youth facility operations and juvenile justice initiatives.
• Foster trauma‑informed, family‑centered, culturally responsive practices throughout youth rehabilitation programs.
• Lead, coach, and develop facility leadership while promoting accountability, employee engagement, and operational excellence.
• Respond to critical incidents, emergency situations, legislative priorities, and other issues requiring executive leadership.

Requirements / Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, public administration, behavioral sciences, social work, psychology, human services, or a closely related field, and at least seven years of progressively responsible leadership experience overseeing juvenile justice, corrections, residential treatment, behavioral health, child welfare, or other complex human service programs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Public Administration, Criminal Justice, Business Administration, Behavioral Sciences, or a related field.
• Executive leadership experience overseeing secure residential treatment, juvenile justice, corrections, behavioral health, or other complex human service operations.
• Experience leading multi‑site operations, strategic initiatives, and organizational change.
• Demonstrated success managing large budgets, contracts, and public resources.
• Knowledge of trauma‑informed care, evidence-based practices, and juvenile justice systems.

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. 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.