Youth Facilities Senior Administrator

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services; Kearney (NE); On-site; USD 135,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is seeking a Youth Facilities Senior Administrator to provide executive leadership for the state’s youth rehabilitation facilities and juvenile treatment programs. The role oversees operations, ensures safety, quality care, and compliance across YRTCs, and drives strategic initiatives that improve outcomes for justice-involved youth.

The Senior Administrator partners with executive leadership and stakeholders to promote excellence, accountability,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, public administration, behavioral sciences, social work, psychology, human services, or related field.
• At least seven years of progressively responsible leadership overseeing juvenile justice, corrections, residential treatment, behavioral health, or related programs.
• Experience leading multi-site operations, strategic initiatives, and organizational change.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, evidence-based practices, and juvenile justice systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for Nebraska's youth rehabilitation facilities and juvenile justice programs.
• Oversee YRTCs to ensure safe, effective, and compliant operations.
• Develop and implement operational strategies to improve outcomes for youth.
• Ensure compliance with federal/state laws, licensing, and accreditation standards.
• Lead quality assurance, performance management, and continuous improvement using data.

Skills

Leadership experience

Budget management

Trauma-informed care

Evidence-based practices

Strategic leadership

Change management

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Master's degree

Job description

The Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services is searching for a Youth Facilities Senior Administrator. This Administrator provides executive leadership for Nebraska's youth rehabilitation facilities and juvenile treatment programs, overseeing the safe, effective, and compliant operation of the state's Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Centers (YRTCs). This position is responsible for developing and implementing operational strategies, ensuring high-quality treatment and rehabilitation services, leading organizational performance, and advancing initiatives that improve outcomes for justice-involved youth.

The Senior Administrator partners with executive leadership, facility administrators, juvenile justice stakeholders, probation, courts, law enforcement, behavioral health providers, education partners, and community organizations to strengthen Nebraska's juvenile justice continuum. This position serves as a key member of DHHS leadership, promoting a culture of excellence, safety, accountability, continuous improvement, and evidence-based practice.

Location

This position able to be located in Kearney or Hastings, Nebraska. The position requires regular presence at all YRTC locations, and will require evening and weekend availability in response to emergent operational needs.

Salary

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

Leadership

This position 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.