The work we do matters! Hiring Agency: Correctional Services - Agency 46 Location: Lincoln, NE Hiring Rate: $51.820 Job Posting: JR2026-00027559 Chief Nursing Officer - Central Office (Open) Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed): 07-22-2026 Job Description: The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) employs nearly 2,300 team members operating institutions statewide, which house approximately 5,800 inmates. The department's focus includes inmate programming and education, physical and behavioral health care, re-entry services, and community programs, and is accredited by the American Correctional Association (ACA). Candidates will model the NDCS values of integrity, respect, compassion, growth, and excellence as we accomplish our mission, "Keep people safe." For additional information, call 402-479-3094. For Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations, please contact Megan Jones at megan.jones@nebraska.gov. Hiring range is $51.820-$74.029/hour. Pay rate may be commensurate with education and/or experience within fiscal constraints, if approved. DUTIES: • Oversees all nursing and treatment services across NDCS facilities and clinics, ensuring compliance with accreditation, certification, licensing standards, and regulations. • Provides leadership and supervision to nursing staff and facility Directors of Nursing, including hiring, evaluation, scheduling, on-call coverage, and emergency response. • Plans, organizes, and directs nursing care services; interprets regulations; establishes policies and procedures; and communicates nursing philosophy, goals, and objectives. • Manages nursing services budget and collaborates in overall budget preparation. • Oversees quality assurance, CQI, and related committees to ensure high standards of patient care. • Represents nursing services in administrative, professional, public, and interdepartmental settings while coordinating activities across departments to improve care quality and efficiency. Requirements/
Qualifications
Minimum
Qualifications
A current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in Nebraska or authority based on the Nurse Licensure Compact to practice as a registered nurse in Nebraska and two years of experience assigning, reviewing, leading, or supervising the work of others.
Preferred Qualifications
Five years of corrections experience.
Experience
as a director of nursing, chief nursing officer, or a regional nurse who has experience with multi-facility management. Three years of working knowledge of NCCHC and ACA guidelines and audits. Other: 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. Once at the Staff Training Academy, must successfully complete the fully paid Nebraska 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. We are seeking talented individuals to join our team in careers that make a difference in the lives of Nebraskans. Once you've had the opportunity to explore our current open positions, apply for those of interest to you. Click here for a video tutorial. Contact state.jobs@nebraska.gov for additional support. Check back on your candidate profile to see the status of your submitted applications, as well as any new postings that might interest you! Thank you for your interest in joining our team! State Government is one of the largest and most diverse employers in Nebraska. Whether it's helping a vulnerable child, advancing public health, making highways safer, or preserving our natural resources, the work we do matters!