Career Specialist - Lincoln Area

Career Specialist - Lincoln Area

Location:

Lincoln, NE

Job
Posting:
Career Specialist - Lincoln Area (Open)
Final date to receive applications: 01-15-2026

If you enjoy helping others to identify new opportunities, discover their purpose and set goals, this may be the job for you. Under limited supervision, this position reports to the Education and Career Services Program Manager in the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services' (NDCS) Rehabilitative Services Division. The ideal candidate will be familiar with education and career planning and will possess the skills to help others identify their pathway to successful reintegration.

Career Specialists will work alongside other members of the Rehabilitative Services team including educators and support staff, as well as have regular interaction with facility leadership, community partners, and the incarcerated population. This Career Specialist's primary facility location will be the Reception and Treatment Center (RTC) while providing services at other facilities in the Lincoln area, the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution (TSCI) and Nebraska Correctional Center for Women (NCCW).

• Instruct, lead, and facilitate career readiness programs and services for incarcerated individuals at various NDCS facilities.
• Administer recognized career interest inventories, skill evaluation, and other comparable assessments to form individualized plans documenting an individual’s pathway to successful reintegration.
• Work closely with NDCS educators to meet the educational needs of Adult Basic Education and Secondary Education through data management.
• Proctor standardized testing to assess the progress of participants.
• Work collaboratively with various internal and external partners to ensure comprehensive and effective program delivery; monitor, track and report participant progress and strategic outcomes of the program in NICaMS and LACES.
• Travel is required to support education and career services at all NDCS facilities.

Minimum Qualifications
:
Coursework or training in social/behavioral sciences, business or public administration, education or related field; or experience in public/human services gathering and providing information, interviewing and assessing client needs.

Preferred Qualifications
:
At least two years of experience working with the target population which may include work in corrections, parole, probation, or non-profit organizations. Relevant education can supplement experience. Working knowledge of computers and computer software, with regard to data entry, tracking, auditing. Post-secondary coursework. Experience in related areas of work to include career advising, academic advising, motivational interviewing, strengths-based coaching, group facilitation, etc.

Other
:
Must have a valid driver's license. Applicants accepting a job offer must pass a 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 to include CPR, first aid, and self-defense tactics.

• 13 paid holidays
• Vacation and sick leave (24 days your first year, accruing immediately)
• Military leave
• 156% state-matched retirement
• Tuition reimbursement
• 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

Information about the Department can be found at:(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). For more information call . For Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations, please contact Megan Jones es.

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.