The juvenile probation system in Nebraska operates under the jurisdiction of the state courts and operates through the state in 32 satellite offices and 14 district offices. It is the responsibility of juvenile probation officers in the state to supervise youth who have been granted probation in accordance with a variety of crimes. Juvenile probation officers are also responsible for monitoring the progress of juvenile within the probation system and ensuring the best success for reintegration into the community and rehabilitation from a life of crime, whatever those crimes may be.
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While juvenile probation officers in Nebraska are not considered peace officers and are not authorized to carry a firearm, they are authorized to make arrests when it is appropriate to do so, which is a rarity amongst most states in the country.
Education and Experience Requirements for Juvenile Probation Officers in Nebraska
In order to begin a career as a juvenile probation officer in Nebraska, applicants must first meet a series of education and experience requirements to be considered.
The education requirement for the position states that all applicants must have at least a bachelor’s degree in the behavioral sciences (such as social work, criminal justice, psychology or sociology, amongst others.)
Applicants with a higher degree will be given more recognition amongst the field of applicants, and people with work, volunteer or internship experience in a related field will be given even more attention throughout the application and recruitment process.
Training Process for Juvenile Probation Officers in Nebraska
When considering how to become a juvenile probation officer in Nebraska, new employees completed training hours as mandated by the judicial branch of the state, which supervises all operations of the juvenile probation program. The training required during the first year of employment is 160 hours of classes. The subjects of the classes include counseling, psychology, social work, public outreach, communication skills, interview and investigation techniques, report filing and a host of other duties that the employee will be required to perform daily as a juvenile probation officer.
Case management skills are a particularly important factor of the job, as it requires that juvenile probation officers take on full responsibility for the welfare of the juveniles that are under their supervision.
Additional Training for Juvenile Probation Officer in Nebraska
After the first year on the job with the juvenile probation department, the officers are then required to do additional training, that is meant to strengthen the skills they learned during their first year. Every year that they are employed, juvenile probation officers are required to attend 24 hours of training courses per year. The training courses focus on more advanced skills and may also address changes to the juvenile probation system in the state.