Mental Health Specialist (NRC)
Company: State of Nebraska
Location: Norfolk
Posted on: April 1, 2026
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Job Description:
The work we do matters! Hiring Agency: Health & Human Services -
Agency 25 Location: Norfolk, NE Hiring Rate: $27.320 Job Posting:
JR2026-00022420 Mental Health Specialist (NRC) (Evergreen) (Open)
Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is
posted as open until closed): Job Description: The Norfolk Regional
Center is Phase I of the Nebraska Sex Offender Treatment Program.
The Sex Offender Treatment Program serves patients who have
completed their criminal sentence but have been deemed at high risk
to sexually re-offend if outside an inpatient treatment facility.
The Mental Health Specialist is a full performance-level position
in which incumbents perform the full range of care and monitoring
of patients in a secure hospital environment under direct
supervision, as prescribed by standards and procedures. The full
range of duties may include organizing or leading group patient
activities, providing input into treatment plans, supporting
admissions, assisting with activities of daily living, and
performing other duties as assigned. Job Duties: Monitor the safety
and security of patients within the assigned unit. Assist with
security procedures such as patient searches, room searches, and
environmental safety checks. Interact with patients in care to
instruct, orient, and assist patients with program goals; report
and/or document care delivery and observations. Lift and reposition
patients. Encourage participation and input into treatment plans.
Model appropriate interactions. Transport patients to appointments
and activities inside or outside the facility, using a state
vehicle, as required. Shift: First shift (6:45 AM–3:15 PM), second
shift (2:45 PM–11:15 PM), and third shift (11:00 PM–7:00 AM).
Twelve-hour shifts are also available. On-Call/PRN positions
require working a minimum of 16 weekend hours per month (11:00 PM
Friday through 7:00 AM Monday). Additional hours may be available
for On-Call/PRN staff. Shift availability will be discussed at the
time of interview. Hiring Rate: $27.32 per hour, plus shift
differential pay for second and third shifts. Training Hours: Week
1: New Hire Orientation (NEO) Monday: 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Tuesday/Wednesday: 6:45 AM–3:15 PM Weeks 2 & 3: Mental Health
Specialist Orientation Monday–Friday: 6:45 AM–3:15 PM Weeks 4 & 5:
Mentor Program Hours will vary to accommodate the mentor’s
schedule. Week 6: Make-up time for any missed training hours.
Requirements / Qualifications: Minimum Qualifications: Must be at
least 19 years of age to work with adult client populations and at
least 21 years of age to work with adolescent client populations.
Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent education.
Preferred Qualifications: One or more years of education or
experience in human services, or stable experience in customer
service or military service involving direct or indirect work with
others. Experience with behavioral intervention programs, crisis
intervention, and de-escalation techniques. Experience working with
a diverse population. Other: Valid driver’s license. Ability to
repeatedly lift 50–200 pounds unassisted. This position requires
proficiency in English, including the ability to read, write,
speak, and comprehend the language effectively. State agencies are
responsible for evaluating each position to determine overtime
eligibility status as required by the Fair Labor Standards Act
(FLSA). Incumbents are required to work regularly scheduled shifts
with predictable attendance and may be required to work overtime,
up to and including entire shifts. These positions are subject to
call-back during emergency conditions (e.g., severe weather,
evacuation, post-disaster situations). Positions classified in this
role may be exposed to infectious waste, communicable diseases, and
bloodborne and airborne pathogens such as TB, HIV, and hepatitis.
Employees may work with potentially dangerous patients. May be
required to acquire and maintain a Medication Aide certification.
Must maintain active Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
certification and behavioral intervention certification as required
by the facility. Positions in this class may require employees to
possess a valid driver’s license and provide a passenger vehicle
with adequate liability insurance. Knowledge, Skills, and
Abilities: (These are required to perform the work assigned.)
Knowledge of: Safety and security measures required in the care of
mentally ill patients; techniques for caring for physically and/or
mentally ill patients; principles and methods for maintaining a
therapeutic environment. Skill in: Listening and understanding;
communicating effectively and appropriately for the intended
audience while supporting patients’ activities of daily living.
Ability to: Complete required courses and competency evaluations;
interpret and follow all policies; provide quality daily patient
care; make decisions and act quickly in situations involving
patient care or safety; use computer programs to document patient
care information; count accurately and record numerical and
alphabetical data; implement written treatment and training plans
with appropriate documentation; communicate effectively with
coworkers, management, and patients; observe, recognize, and report
on physical status; offer support to less experienced staff; stand
for extended periods; work regularly scheduled shifts with
predictable attendance; and work overtime, up to and including
entire shifts. 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.htmlbenefits
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.
Keywords: State of Nebraska, Bellevue , Mental Health Specialist (NRC), Healthcare , Norfolk, Nebraska
