Welcome to Douglas County Connection, a monthly newsletter for Douglas County employees. This newsletter aims to foster stronger connections within our organization by informing you about important updates, community events, and noteworthy achievements across our County departments. Have a story idea? Email newsletter@douglascounty-ne.gov.

Local musicians perform mariachi and traditional Mexican music during Día de Alegría (Day of Joy), celebrating the rich culture and vibrant spirit of South Omaha's Latino community.

The moment every team dreams of. The Oklahoma Sooners celebrate their 2026 NCAA Men's College World Series championship with their coaches, teammates and the championship trophy after an unforgettable run in Omaha.

Peer Support Spotlight recipients (from left to right) Michaela Wilkins, Mia Harris and Susan Helming were recently recognized for their outstanding compassion, leadership and dedication to supporting their colleagues and the youth at the Douglas County Youth Center.

Be on the lookout: Employees will be receiving an email with directions for new annual trainings. We are conducting our required annual training via a new system: Holmes Murphy. 

By the end of July you will receive more information on the required courses and log on information.

• Each year the IRS announces inflation-adjusted limits for health savings accounts (HSAs) and high deductible health plans (HDHPs). 

• Limits vary based on whether an individual has self only or family coverage under an HDHP. 

• The adjusted contribution limits for HSAs take effect as of January 1, 2027

• The adjusted HDHP cost-sharing limits take effect for the plan year beginning on or after January 1, 2027. 

• On June 30, a federal court vacated the Department of Education rule that would have allowed the Secretary to disqualify Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employers.  That rule had been scheduled to take effect July 1. 

• The court set it aside in full, finding that it exceeded the Department's authority, was arbitrary and capricious, and violated the First Amendment.  **This is a trial court decision, the Department may appeal. 

• What this means: 

  • • • PLSF employer eligibility does not change.  Government agencies, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, hospitals, universities, and other qualifying employers remain eligible under the standard already in place. 

      • There is no new employer self certification or attestation requirement.

      • Employees pursuing PSLF are not facing the new disqualification standard, and qualifying payments already certified remain credited. 

• Douglas County employees receive Savi Essential for FREE (normally $70) or Savi Pro at a discounted rate of $80 (normally $150) when you verify your work email address. 

• Visit douglascounty.bysavi.com for more information or to sign up. 

• Goldfinch helps patients, hospitals, companies, and communities do surgery and recovery better with fewer unnecessary opioids. 

• Opioid exposure beyond 3-5 days post-surgery increases the risk of complications, readmissions, runaway costs, and opioid addiction. 

• Surgery-related overprescribing results in 3.3 billion unused pills available for misuse every year. 

• Goldfinch's enhanced recovery protocols to improve your surgery experience:

  • • • Pre-surgery education and nutrition

      • Multi-modal Pain Management with several non-opioid medications

      • Post-surgery support from a nurse navigator

• Visit the Goldfinch Health website for more information or to request a call! 

• Integrated Care, the County's occupational health vendor for pre-employment testing, closed its west Omaha location at 14450 Meadows Blvd.  

• All pre-employment screenings will be scheduled at their midtown location, 5513 Center Street.  

• Their hours of operation are Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. and they will continue to have a walk in clinic for drug testing.

• Coverage for exams, qualified illness and related treatment. 

• Optional preventive care plans that focus on routine care and regular check ups. 

• Plans also include discounts on pet products and unlimited 24/7 virtual care.

• Call 1-800-905-1595 or visit the Spot Insurance website for more information.

• This benefit is not payroll-deducted. 

• Available to BCBS participants and their spouses. 

• Complete a health assessment, biometric screening, and earn 300 points by November 30th to receive a credit towards your 2027 health insurance premiums. 

  • • $500 for employees and $250 for spouses

• Watch for monthly health challenges throughout the year to help you earn points. 

• Log in information for new and returning users can be found here. 

• An additional date has been added for Biometric Screenings.

  • • Civic Center: September 23rd 

• Log into your Asset Health Portal to register. 

• Didn't get a spot?  No problem.  You can complete the same screening with your health care provider.  

  • • Simply print out a form and take it to your doctor to complete and return.  

Board of Equalization

• Jordan Frink

• Aidan Carlson

• Maggie Padilla

Clerk of the District Court

• Justine Davis

Community Mental Health Center

• Prayvell Pope

• Julisha Boose

• Michelle Nedved

County Attorney

• Sean Keating

• Cassidy Simmons

District Court

• AJ Johnson

Election Commission

• Amy Stoffel

Engineer

• Devin DeVries

• Max Alagaban

Health Center

• Laura DeMey

• Trent Daro

• Nyawal Domok

• Anthony Maxwell, Jr.

• Kayla Richardson

• Lexi Johnson

• Kirby Delgado

• Kianna Jones

Human Resources

• Heidi Toren

Public Defender

• Olivia D'AMato

• Emily Kraft

Sheriff

• Chad Pelley

• Matthew Wehling

• Hunter Gilmore

• Zach Hodge

Youth Center

• Damone Avant, Jr.

• Becca Waite

• Justin Wallace

• Charlesetta McGhee

• High school graduation or equivalent required.*

• Two (2) years of building construction work, construction technology or construction management experience required.*

• Experience in building plan and design, structural building design, construction and inspections desired.

• Experience in a permits and inspection function desired.

• Certified Residential Inspector (ICC) or ability to obtain within one (1) year of hire required.

• Certified Commercial Inspector (ICC) or ability to obtain within one (1) year of hire required.

• Valid driver's license upon hire and maintained throughout employment required.

• Completion of a pre-employment criminal record check and conditional offer physical assessment and drug screen required.

• *Equivalent combination of education and work experience may be substituted for requirements on a year-for-year basis.

Click here to view the full job description and submit your application

• Education: 

• Candidate must have graduated from high school or must possess a certificate that certifies an educational development of at least a high school graduation level (G.E.D).

• Character: 

  1. • Must be of good character and must not have demonstrated a disregard of the law to such an extent that usefulness as an employee would be impaired.

     • If adverse information relative to a potential employee's character and/or background is developed during the course of the routine background investigation, the Sheriff will explore this during the oral interview and make the decision relative to hiring.  Such decision must be consistent with Article V, Section G of the Merit Commission Rules.

• Physical:

  1. • Vision of 20/200 uncorrected to 20/20 corrected; normal depth perception; no permanent or ocular abnormality including color blindness.

     • Any indication of organic, active or irreversible disease of the ear shall result in disqualification.  Hearing must be such that the applicant can understandably receive frequencies of normal voice range.

     • Successful completion of a physical examination by a physician designated by the Commission.

• Age: 

  1. • Must have attained the age of 21 years at the time of certification from the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center.

• License:

  1. • Possession of a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's License at both the time of application and at the time hired. 

Click here to view the full job description and submit your application