The work we do matters!

Hiring Agency:

Health & Human Services - Agency 25

Location:

Kearney, NE

Hiring Rate:

$35.989

Job Posting:

JR2025-00018272 Licensed Mental Health Practitioner-YRTC-Kearney (Evergreen) (Open)

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

Job Description:

🚨 We're Hiring: Licensed Mental Health Practitioner | YRTC-Kearney 🚨
Empower Youth. Restore Hope. Be the Difference.

Do you want your work to truly matter? At the Nebraska Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center (YRTC) in Kearney, we’re looking for a Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (LMHP) who’s ready to change lives — one youth at a time.

This is more than a clinical role. It’s a chance to walk alongside high-acuity youth on their journey to healing, growth, and a better future. Every day, you’ll make a meaningful difference by providing therapy, shaping treatment plans, and offering the kind of support that can change a life forever.

🎯 Our Mission:
"Help youth live better lives through effective services, giving youth the chance to become law-abiding citizens."
We take a therapeutic, rehabilitative, and holistic approach to youth care — and your role is essential in bringing this mission to life.

💡 Who You Are:

A Licensed Mental Health Practitioner in Nebraska (or license-eligible — we’ll support you!)
Passionate about youth rehabilitation and trauma-informed care
A team player with strong communication and clinical skills
Driven to make a difference through empathy, leadership, and resilience

💰 What We Offer You:

We care for our team so you can care for our youth.

✅ 156% state-matched retirement — one of the best in the country
✅ 13 paid holidays + generous leave that starts immediately
✅ Medical, dental and vision insurance
✅ $20,000 employer-paid life insurance policy
✅ Tuition reimbursement & professional development opportunities
✅ Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
✅ Work-life balance culture
✅ Meaningful, mission-driven work
✅ Fun, supportive teammates
✅ Job security in public service

📈 Pay Rates (based on license level):

LMHP I: $26.547/hr

LMHP II: $31.143/hr

LMHP/PLADC III: $33.478/hr

LMHP/LADC or LIMHP IV: $35.989/hr

+ $3/hour facility differential for all hours worked

 

As a Licensed Mental Health Practitioner at YRTC-K, you will:

• Assess mental/behavioral health needs and provide treatment interventions and monitoring of response and progress
• Develop treatment plans
• Provide consultative services to treatment team and collaborate with probation and other service providers
• Provide Individual, group and family therapy to youth
• Provide ACRA substance abuse programming
• Respond to crisis situations and assist with de-escalation process
• Complete all required documentation
• Responsible for mental health needs of youth on campus
• Participate in on-call rotation

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 Statues 38-2122, 38-2124, and 38-316.

Other: Valid driver's license or the ability to provide independent authorized transportation.

 

Knowledge of: DSM, patterns and processes of normal growth and development; mental and emotional disorders; behavior management and modification; applied behavior analysis; signs and symptoms of alcohol and drug abuse, dependence or disorders; psycho educational training; individual, group, and family therapy techniques; system theories and bio-psychosocial intervention theories; social and cultural factors as related to mental health and substance abuse; physical and mental problems of clients with alcohol and drug abuse, dependence or disorders; program specific treatment issues; methods and resources available for educating clients in chemical dependency; applicable agency policies and organizations; program specific philosophies, policies, and procedures.

Skill in: individual and group counseling; communicating effectively; screening, assessment, and diagnosis; managing conflict; diffusing anger and maintaining a controlled environment.

Ability to: demonstrate the application of therapy methods and techniques; communicate in person, by telephone as a group facilitator, and in written formats with persons served, other staff, families, and other agencies; monitor patient progress and recommend new strategies; prepare written reports; document findings and treatment; conceptualize, integrate and express interdisciplinary input; explain the significance of behavior patterns and signs to patients and other team members.

 

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.

Current employees of the State of Nebraska should NOT apply on this external career. Instead go to Workday and access the Jobs Hub - Internal Apply app from your home landing page.