Operations Division
The Operations Division, under the leadership of Deputy Administrator Gene Cotter, is responsible for a wide variety of functions in support of trial courts and probation operations throughout the state.
Key responsibilities of the Administration and Operations Division:
- Personnel oversees human resource functions, advises employees and management on personnel policies and procedures, oversees the disciplinary process and employee relations issues, monitors staffing and employment actions, coordinates employee benefits, and processes payroll.
- The Office of Interstate Compact is responsible for assisting with the facilitation of the transfer of supervision for both adult and juvenile probationers to the state where the client resides, as well as facilitating the safe return of any juvenile who runs (absconds) to another state. Furthermore, the compact office monitors statewide compliance with adult and juvenile compact rules and provides training and resources to field staff, district management, and other justice partners. Additionally, the compact office is charged with reviewing all inter-district transfer and shared supervision cases to ensure adherence to protocol and assist with the seamless transition of supervision within the State of Nebraska.
- Communications:
- The Office of Public Information and Educational Outreach manages media inquiries, public information requests, and opportunities for the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals to engage with communities, including students. The Office assists both national and in-state media to facilitate expanded media coverage. Educational materials regarding cameras in courts are produced for both media outlets and judges. Additionally, the Office directs employee communications, creates and distributes press releases, and coordinates messaging on a variety of topics.
- The Office of Digital Communications manages the primary digital communications channels for the Judicial Branch, including the website and social media accounts. In addition, the office implements the creation of audio and visual productions, as well as graphic design and branding practices. In coordination with the Office of Public Information & Educational Outreach, the Office is responsible for the strategic public relations activities of the Branch.
- The Office of Public Information and Educational Outreach manages media inquiries, public information requests, and opportunities for the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals to engage with communities, including students. The Office assists both national and in-state media to facilitate expanded media coverage. Educational materials regarding cameras in courts are produced for both media outlets and judges. Additionally, the Office directs employee communications, creates and distributes press releases, and coordinates messaging on a variety of topics.
- The Research and Data team supports trial courts and probation as well as judicial and administrative staff with meaningful data to help drive day-to-day business decisions. Additionally, an expanded focus on internal research and development has emerged.
Gene Cotter
Gene Cotter was appointed Deputy Administrator for Personnel, Operations and Information Technology effective September 1, 2016. He previously served as the Assistant Deputy Administrator for Programs and Services. He began his Probation career in August 1990. During his 26-year career with Probation, Gene has held a variety of supervisory and adult and juvenile officer positions in multiple districts statewide, including Chief Probation Officer of District #3A in Lincoln, Specialized Substance Abuse Supervision, Intensive Supervision Probation and Investigations.
Gene has been instrumental in the implementation of the statewide rollout of the Justice Reinvestment Initiative. Gene is currently serving on several committees and working groups including the Justice Behavioral Health Committee, the Programs and Field Services Committee and the Executive Policy Committee. He was certified as a Probation trainer in 1992, and has continued training a variety of courses since that time.
Gene has been a member of the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA) for many years and graduated from the APPA Leadership Institute in August of 2014, where he also received the Norm Leslie Helber Scholarship, recognizing him as the Outstanding Graduate of the 2014 Leadership Institute. Gene is one of APPA’s elected Regional Representatives and served as the National Program Chair for APPA’s 2016 Winter Training Institute in Atlanta, Georgia. In April of 2013, Gene was awarded the Probation Management Above and Beyond exemplary leadership award.
Gene holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice with a Minor in Psychology from the University of Nebraska/Lincoln.
Gene Cotter
Deputy Administrator
Office of Probation Administration
1445 K Street, State Capitol Room #1211
Lincoln, NE 68508
Phone: (402) 471-4190
Jacey Rader
Jacey Rader was appointed as Assistant Deputy Administrator of the Administration & Operations Division in May of 2018. Jacey serves as the Commissioner for the Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision (ICAOS) and the Interstate Commission for Juveniles in the State of Nebraska. Jacey graduated from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 2002 and has a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. She began her career with probation in 2004, and served as a probation officer until 2013, when she was promoted to Compliance Officer with the Administrative Office of Probation. In 2014, she was appointed to the Deputy Compact Administrator position and currently serves as the Commissioner for the Interstate Commission for Adult Offender Supervision (ICAOS).
Jacey serves on the Probation Training and Programs and Services Committees, and chairs the National ICJ Compliance Committee. She is a national trainer for interstate compact matters and serves on numerous special committees. In Nebraska, Jacey spearheaded the implementation of custodial sanctions on interstate compact transfer offenders and worked to implement a process to ensure interstate compact cases are entered into the statewide JUSTICE system. In addition to her work with the Compact Office, Jacey oversees the Compliance Office with the Administrative Office of Probation and the statewide District Evaluation process. Jacey also works to ensure Probation’s Policies and Procedures are regularly revised and published and she works with the Information Technology and Data Analyst teams. In 2016, Jacey served as the Interim Chief Probation Officer of District 1. Jacey is a member of the Advanced Coaching 4 Excellence (ACE) Team and is committed to advancing and supporting the implementation of evidenced based case management strategies.
Jacey is a member of the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA) and the National Association of Probation Executives (NAPE). Jacey was awarded Probation’s Rising Star Award in 2014.
Jacey R. Rader
Assistant Deputy Administrator
ICJ Commissioner | ICAOS Deputy Compact Administrator
Administrative Office of Probation
521 S. 14th Street Lincoln, NE 68508
Phone: 402.471.2855