State of Nebraska
State government promoting agriculture
Chief Legal and Policy Advisor
Travel is required; a valid driver's license or reliable transportation is required.
About the job
- Graduation from an accredited school of law and admission to the Nebraska Bar are required for the Attorney I classification.
- Attorney II requires one year of experience as an attorney practicing law and providing legal services such as preparing cases, advising clients, and/or interpreting laws or administrative policies.
- Incumbents must be admitted to the Nebraska Bar in accordance with Section 7-101, Nebraska Revised, Reissued Statutes of 1943.
- A valid driver's license or another form of reliable transportation is required because the position requires travel.
- Regular and reliable attendance is required.
- Provide legal research, analysis, and interpretation of statutes, regulations, and case law.
- Draft and review legal documents including pleadings, findings, conclusions, policies, contracts, and correspondence.
- Advise agency leadership and staff on legal compliance, risk management, and policy interpretation.
- Represent or support the agency in administrative hearings and prepare recommended orders or legal positions.
- Supervise assigned attorneys and/or legal staff by assigning work, setting priorities, providing guidance, reviewing work products, and ensuring deadlines and quality standards are met.
- Conduct employee performance evaluations and provide coaching, mentoring, and corrective guidance as needed.
- Coordinate with the Attorney General's Office, County Attorneys, and external stakeholders.
- Perform other duties as assigned and within the scope of the classification.
- Progressive experience as a licensed attorney providing legal services in the public sector, administrative law, criminal justice, corrections, parole, or a closely related regulatory environment.
- Experience advising executive leadership or governing bodies, including providing legal analysis, policy recommendations, and risk assessments to senior management or boards.
- Supervisory or lead experience, including assigning and reviewing work, setting priorities, mentoring attorneys or professional staff, and conducting or contributing to performance evaluations.
- Demonstrated experience directing or coordinating legal work in support of agency operations, administrative hearings, or quasi-judicial decision-making.
- Experience interpreting and applying state and federal statutes, administrative rules, and case law in a complex, highly regulated environment.
- Knowledge of labor and employment law, collective bargaining agreements, grievance processes, and management rights in a public sector setting.
- Experience collaborating with human resources, executive leadership, and external legal partners such as the Attorney General's Office or County Attorneys.
- Ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion on sensitive legal, personnel, and policy matters while operating within established authority.
- Strong skills in legal research, writing, and oral communication, including the ability to translate complex legal issues into clear guidance for non-legal audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment.
- Experience supporting or leading policy development, implementation, or organizational change initiatives.
- Knowledge of or experience with public safety, corrections, parole, or justice-involved populations.
About the company
Nebraska is a U.S. state that provides government services to residents and supports the state’s economy, with a strong emphasis on agriculture. The state operates through agencies and programs that manage public education, infrastructure, health, safety, land use, and economic development, aiming to keep communities safe, informed, and prosperous. Its programs work by collecting taxes and fees, creating laws and regulations, and delivering services via state agencies, local governments, and partnerships with farmers, businesses, and non-profits. Nebraska differentiates itself from other states through its large agricultural sector and open land, which shape policies and programs around farming, water management, rural development, and access to markets. The goal is to sustain a stable, productive environment for residents and to support agricultural leadership and economic growth across the state.
Company Size
5,001-10,000
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Lincoln, Nebraska
Founded
1867
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- August 18, 2026 A&M review seeks to optimize HCBS funding and reduce waste.
- About 80% of interRAI funding levels stayed flat or increased since July 1, 2025.
- Nebraska Supreme Court upheld Pillen's remote-work order on April 17, 2026.
What critics are saying
- The interRAI rollout triggered advocate backlash; DHHS launched an RFP on August 31, 2026.
- State budget deficits hit $208 million in July 2026, forcing deeper cuts.
- Auditor Mike Foley's no-bid contract probe threatens credibility and criminal referrals.
What makes State of Nebraska unique
- Nebraska controls a $546 million cash reserve and disciplined biennial budgeting.
- Jim Pillen's administration rapidly restructures agencies, including DHHS and remote-work policies.
- Nebraska DHHS uses interRAI statewide, standardizing HCBS decisions across waiver populations.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
Paid Holidays
Paid Vacation
Paid Sick Leave
Company News
Nebraska Ethanol Board expands. The Nebraska Ethanol Board (NEB) recently welcomed three Nebraska ethanol producers to the board as new voting members. Todd Good from Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Joe Shanle from Trenton Agri Products (TAP), and Brent Hoops from Chief Ethanol were appointed by Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen to fill the three newly-created ethanol producer seats on the NEB, effective immediately. The NEB's strategic plan legislation, Legislative Bill (LB) 815, passed earlier this year by the Nebraska Legislature with supermajority support and subsequently signed into law by Gov. Pillen, included provisions to add three ethanol producer seats to the NEB. The seats became open on Sept. 1 and were required to be filled with initial appointees within 30 days. Gov. Pillen also reappointed Jamie Bearup to the NEB labor position for a four-year term, and Scott McPheeters was reappointed for another term, now in the general farming position. McPheeters replaces Michael Thede, who retired from the NEB at the conclusion of his term on August 31. The NEB now has nine voting members, each representing a sector of the fuel value chain. Ethanol producers Good, Shanle and Hoops join Chairman Jan tenBensel (wheat), Vice Chairman Scott McPheeters (general farming), Secretary Randy Gard (petroleum marketers), Jamie Bearup (labor), Taylor Nelson (corn), and Tracy Zink (sorghum) as voting members. The Board is also supported by a technical advisor. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chemical Engineering Professor Dr. Hunter Flodman holds that position.
LPD releases results of summer speeding enforcement campaign. Lincoln Police have released the results of a three-month traffic enforcement campaign aimed at preventing speeding and reducing serious and fatal crashes. The enforcement project ran from June 1 through August 31, with officers working overtime to patrol high-traffic corridors and areas where serious collisions are more likely to occur. LPD Public Information Manager Erika Thomas says speed remains one of the primary contributing factors in fatal traffic crashes. During the campaign, officers made 826 traffic stops and issued 994 citations. Thomas says speeding accounted for 326 citations, while another 322 citations were issued for registration violations. Officers also issued 79 insurance citations, 72 seatbelt violations, 20 stop-sign violations and five traffic-signal citations. Three citations involved child seatbelt violations. The enforcement effort also resulted in eight criminal charges, 11 warrant arrests and 30 for driving under suspension. LPD says the high-visibility campaign was funded through its traffic-safety partnership with the Nebraska Department of Transportation Highway Safety Office.
Nebraska AG sues Lincoln after city pushes charter petitions to May 2027 ballot
NE Chamber announces Sharpe as manufacturing Director. LINCOLN, Nebraska - August 20, 2026 - Erin Sharpe has been hired by the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry as its new Director of Manufacturing, NE Chamber President & CEO Joseph Young announced today. Sharpe has worked as Director of iHub at Northeast Community College and will bring an array of experience in Nebraska innovation and workforce development to the NE Chamber. Sharpe has a career built on customer advocacy, operational excellence and business growth, primarily in the manufacturing sector. In her role as Director of Northeast's iHub, she has led the development of the new Norfolk-area fabrication lab, workforce development lab and youth STEM center. The iHub is a creation and ideation environment giving users space to explore, experiment and create using cutting-edge tools and technologies. Since 2024 she helped secure funding for the $8.5 million facility along with $2 million in technical equipment for the 18,000-square-foot regional makerspace and training center. During her time at Northeast, the college has engaged 1,200 K-12 students through camps and after-school programs and delivered automation training programs serving local workers and workplaces. The iHub facility was the first in Nebraska to achieve Smart Automation Certification Alliance Gold Testing designation. Sharpe's previous roles have been in purchasing, analysis, international team leadership, vendor management and ecommerce at Kawasaki Motors, Spreetail, Wholestone Farms, and Petrelocation. She has a master's in business administration and bachelor's degree in communication and mass media from Northwest Missouri State University. Sharpe will be primarily located in Norfolk and work throughout the state with Nebraska's manufacturing sector. Her role will be convening and coordinating leaders from education, workforce and policy partners to create initiatives, build networks and increase NE Chamber manufacturing membership and the impact of manufacturing. Her network will be with individuals and organizations such as the Nebraska Manufacturing Alliance, Nebraska Manufacturing Advisory Council, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership at the University of Nebraska, and Women in Manufacturing. She will begin her role in September. "Erin has an established network and is a leading influence in Nebraska manufacturing, which will be greatly beneficial to manufacturers and industry partners," said Young. "Her experience at iHub and leadership in northeast Nebraska are a great fit with the NE Chamber." The NE Chamber serves as the manufacturing association for Nebraska and is a member of the National Association of Manufacturers. Earlier in 2026, NeMAC and the NE Chamber Foundation announced a partnership with all six Nebraska community colleges and the Department of Labor in developing a statewide stackable manufacturing credential as a workforce development initiative. Young said Sharpe's experience working in the higher education and manufacturing training space is directly relevant in advancing workforce development in Nebraska manufacturing. "Erin's passion for connecting people, ideas, and opportunities has left a lasting mark on the Northeast iHub," said Leah Barrett, president of Northeast. "We are incredibly grateful for her contributions and proud to see her take on this important statewide role. We congratulate Erin and look forward to continuing our work together in support of Nebraska manufacturers and the future workforce they depend on."
DHHS partners with independent third party to evaluate interRAI implementation for Developmental Disability Waivers. August 18, 2026 3:00 pm by Karli Ferry 40 total views, 23 views today Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has partnered with Alvarez & Marsal Public Sector (A&M) to evaluate the implementation of the interRAI needs assessment for Developmental Disability (DD) Waivers. Alvarez & Marsal will conduct information gathering, stakeholder engagement, data analysis and interactive vetting of the interRAI assessment tool for DD Waivers over the next four months. An independent analysis will provide objective recommendations to optimize Nebraska's allocation of resources for individuals receiving Home and Community-Based (HCBS) Waivers. At the conclusion of the contract, Alvarez & Marsal will deliver a summary of their findings to DHHS. The evaluation process will include several activities, including stakeholder engagement with families, providers, clients, and DHHS employees, to assess the effectiveness, usability, performance, and overall value. Alvarez & Marsal will also review public comments given at the Developmental Disabilities Advisory Committee meetings and Olmstead Advisory Committee meetings. The main objectives of the interRAI implementation evaluation are to assess the effectiveness of the implementation process, evaluate the impact on service delivery and outcomes, identify areas for improvement, and ensure the system is meeting program, operational, and policy objectives. Alvarez & Marsal will: * Review current practices and the identification of existing challenges, * Analyze existing data to determine reliability and validity of the Nebraska model, * Explore peer state practices that could potentially be used to enhance or improve current practice, and * Identify opportunities to increase the integrity of the assessment process and resulting alignment with budget tiers. "Before launching the interRAI in July 2025, the state intended to conduct an independent evaluation of the interRAI implementation for DD Waivers based on feedback. The interRAI was selected with input from stakeholders and is a nationally accredited tool to determine services based on a cost to serve model. Since the launch, DHHS has continuously monitored the output of interRAI assessments to ensure participants are receiving an appropriate determination," said Tony Green, Division of Disability and Aging Director. In 2024, DHHS began the process of selecting a more modern, standardized, person centered, and comprehensive assessment tool. DHHS received input and advice from the DD Advisory Committee, Olmstead Advisory Committee, and Myers and Stauffer. The previous assessment, the ICAP, was no longer being updated or evaluated for effectiveness. Nebraska changed assessment tools to the interRAI to allow a single use tool to serve multiple purposes. The interRAIs are standardized and validated tools ensuring Nebraskans objectively receive services based on an accurate review of current, point in time, behavioral and health-related needs and that appropriate funding amounts are consistently distributed to participants with similar levels of need. From the launch of the interRAI for DD Waivers on July 1, 2025, DHHS has significantly expanded access to Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). Approximately 80% of Nebraskans' funding levels have stayed the same or increased as a result of the interRAI assessments. Alvarez & Marsal is an international organization that specializes in improving and managing services for government entities with an over 40 year history of evaluating and optimizing government systems. That background was a key reason they were selected to evaluate the Nebraska DHHS implementation of the interRAI for DD Waivers. The DHHS Division of Disability and Aging service budget will not be impacted or used to cover the cost of an independent evaluation to optimize allocation of resources for HCBS Waivers. The cost of the contract is $420,000. This contract is exempt from competitive bidding pursuant to Nebraska Revised Statute §73-813 by: having been competitively bid by another state or group of states, a group of states and any political subdivision of any other state, a political subdivision of another state, or a cooperative purchasing organization on behalf of a group of states or political subdivisions of other states. "This evaluation is not coming at a cost to services. As we continuously have an increase in the number of Nebraskans receiving waiver services, an independent and in-depth evaluation will allow Nebraska to optimize service delivery and allocation of resources to ensure the needs of all are being met while the program remains sustainable," said Green. interRAI is used by over 25 other states. interRAI has also developed standardized and evidence-based assessment tools with research, clinicians and policy experts spanning more than 35 countries.