Behavioral Health Practitioner - Mental Health - Nebraska State Penitentiary

The work we do matters!

Hiring Agency:

Correctional Services - Agency 46

Location:

Lincoln, NE

Hiring Rate:

$36.798

Job Posting:

JR2026-00027093 Behavioral Health Practitioner - Mental Health - Nebraska State Penitentiary (Evergreen) (Open)

Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed):

Job Description:

We are looking for a dedicated and compassionate Behavioral Health Practitioner to join our team at the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS). In this vital role, you'll provide essential mental health counseling to an underserved, diverse population contributing directly to the safety and rehabilitation of individuals in our care at the Nebraska State Penitentiary (NSP). If you're a licensed or provisionally licensed professional with a passion for helping others navigate complex behavioral and emotional challenges, we encourage you to apply and help us fulfill our mission of promoting growth and excellence.

Information about the Department can be found at: www.corrections.nebraska.gov. For Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations, please contact Megan Jones at [email protected].

• 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
• Meaningful public service – service with a purpose!
• Numerous training and development opportunities

License eligible individuals also encouraged to apply and will be considered at a lesser salary. Additional $3/hour facility differential for hours worked.

PLMHP or PLADC: $27.145
LMHP or LADC: $31.844
LMHP and PLADC: $34.231
LMHP and LADC or LIMHP: $36.798

 

DUTIES:

• Provide individual/group counseling and crisis intervention to inmates.

• Complete written documentation for assigned inmates in a timely manner.

• Consult with appropriate staff regarding inmate mental status and treatment progression. Participate in multi-disciplinary treatment team meetings.

• Screen and refer inmates to appropriate review teams.

• Assess risk for suicidal individuals.

• Participate in the initial screening and orientation of new inmates.

• When on-call for Mental Health, provide consultation and services to inmates outside of regular hours.

• Other duties consistent with the role as assigned by the facility BHP supervisor(s).

 

Requirements / Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Behavioral Health Practitioner I:  Provisional license to practice as a mental health practitioner in Nebraska

Behavioral Health Practitioner II:  Nebraska License as Mental Health Practitioner.

Behavioral Health Practitioner III:  Nebraska license as Mental Health Practitioner or Nebraska license as Alcohol and Drug Counselor AND Nebraska Provisional License as Mental Health Practitioner or Nebraska Provisional License as Alcohol and Drug Counselor.

Behavioral Health Practitioner IV :  State of Nebraska licenses as Mental Health Practitioner and Alcohol and Drug Counselor

Legal Requirements: Licensure requirements for all levels pursuant to Nebraska State Statutes 38-2122, 38-2124, and 38-316. Master's Degree in Social Work, Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Human Development, Psychology, Family Relations, Vocational Rehabilitation, Art Therapy, Divinity, Human Resources, Naturopathy, Mental Health or other field approved by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services in order to become a Licensed Mental Health Practitioner AND 3000 hours of post-degree supervised counseling experience.

Other: Proof of licensure and transcripts required prior to scheduled interview. Successful completion of background check. Applicants accepting a job offer must pass the following pre-employment exams in this order: medical exam, and at a randomly announced time, pass a drug test. Must successfully complete the fully paid NE Corrections Training Program.

 

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.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.