5. Selection and Recruitment

5. Selection and Recruitment

  Each office of the Nebraska Judicial Branch shall take steps to ensure employees within the system are recruited and selected based on an open and competitive basis. The necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities for the specific position shall be the principal factors considered in the selection process. Selection procedures shall be uniformly administered in making a final hiring decision. Each office is responsible for documenting all required selection activities involved in the hiring process, including the interview questions and any other screening tool. A copy of the hiring procedure shall be sent to the AOCP. Applications and all other material used in the hiring process may be disposed of 3 years after the date of application.

  When a vacancy occurs, permission to fill the vacancy must be obtained from the AOCP. Job notices are normally advertised both internally and externally. Exceptions may be granted by the AOCP in the event that the nature of work and the business needs of a local office support a shift in the office’s job classifications from one type of job to another type of job, and the need for rebalancing has extended beyond a 6-month period. In those circumstances only, the local office shall submit a request to the AOCP, citing the business need and classifications affected. If approved, existing vacant positions will be reclassified, after which the Office may “post” any remaining reclassification opportunities internally amongst eligible employees within the District/County and, through a competitive selection process, assign the new job classification(s) to the most qualified candidate(s). Where the need for rebalancing will result in downward reclassification, candidates for reclassification will be identified based on performance. (See Job Reclassification.) Other exceptions will be considered based on the operational needs of the local office.

Amended July 9, 2015; amended May 10, 2017; amended October 23, 2024, effective January 1, 2025.

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A. Job Postings

A. Job Postings

  Job postings, at a minimum, must be filed with the State Department of Personnel Jobs Website. Hiring Personnel may also post job openings in other local publications. Notices placed in newspapers or publications that involve costs to the Supreme Court require prior approval from the AOCP. Positions shall be advertised for a minimum of 6 workdays.

  With prior approval from the AOCP, the Nebraska Judicial Branch may reimburse up to three applicants per position/vacancy for travel, meals, and lodging expenses incurred in traveling to and from the prospective job site/interview site. The same policies as established for employee travel shall apply when determining the amounts to be reimbursed, and requests for reimbursement shall require the same documentation.

Amended September 27, 2005; amended July 9, 2015; amended October 23, 2024, effective January 1, 2025.

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B. Veterans' Preference

B. Veterans' Preference

   Veterans and spouses of veterans determined eligible in accordance with Sec. 48-227(4) of the Nebraska Revised Statutes shall be given preference in hiring (Veteran's Preference).

   Veterans who obtain passing scores on all parts or phases of a hiring examination or numerical scoring tool shall have five percent added to their passing score if a claim for such preference is made on the application. An additional five percent shall be added to the passing score or numerical scoring of any disabled veteran. When no examination or numerical scoring is used, the preference shall be given to the qualifying veteran if two or more equally qualified candidates are being considered for the position. A veteran desiring to use a veterans preference shall provide the hiring authority with a copy of the veteran's Department of Defense Form 214, also known as the DD Form 214. A spouse of a veteran desiring to use a veterans preference shall provide the hiring authority with a copy of the veteran's Department of Defense Form 214, a copy of the veteran's disability verification from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs demonstrating a one hundred percent permanent disability rating, and proof of marriage to the veteran. Any marriage claimed for a veterans preference must be valid under Nebraska law. Within thirty days after filling a position, veterans who have applied and are not hired shall be notified that they have not been hired. Such notice also shall advise the veteran of any administrative appeal available.

Approved July 16, 2003; amended July 9, 2015.

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C. Criminal History Screening

C. Criminal History Screening

  In accordance with procedures approved by the Nebraska Judicial Branch, a criminal background check will be conducted. This can be done before or after a conditional offer of employment is extended, with employment contingent upon a satisfactory result of the background check.

Adopted July 16, 2003; amended July 9, 2015; amended October 23, 2024, effective January 1, 2025.

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