SEPTEMBER 2024
SEPTEMBER 2024
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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.
DOUGLAS COUNTY NEWS
The latest news from Douglas County
Don’t miss this insightful interview as DCEMA Director Whitney Shipley shares how our team has been working tirelessly to ensure the safety and resilience of our county.
The GIS team built a web application during the April 26th tornado outbreak that included dashboards to display real-time data and damage reports called in by Douglas County residents.
Douglas County is pleased to announce the promotion of Whitney Shipley as the new Director of the Douglas County Emergency Management Agency (DCEMA).
If you or you know someone who needs assistance with tornado recovery efforts, check out our virtual MARC for all your recovery needs.
Douglas County Corrections is making it easier and more affordable for incarcerated individuals to stay connected with their loved ones. Click the link above to watch the story from WOWT.
The Douglas County Board of Commissioners recently approved nearly $5 million in grants to 77 applicants for the 2024-25 Visitor Improvement Fund grant cycle.
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
Learn more about your Douglas County co-workers
If you told Stacy Gillman back in high school that she would be a stormwater and floodplain specialist, she would have said you were ‘crazy.’ However, it was Gillman's love for the outdoors that inspired her to pursue science in college. After growing up in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and graduating from Northwest Missouri State in Maryville, Gillman’s career path eventually led her to Douglas County Environmental Services, where she has worked for the past seven years. She recently received her CFM or certified floodplain manager certification.
Did you know Douglas County has nearly 200 employees who have worked for Douglas County for more than 20 years? Talk about an accomplishment!
Sharon Bourke is one of those longtime employees who loves being a public servant. She helps organize the Board of Commissioners' meetings by preparing the weekly agenda and posting it online for the public. Sharon celebrated 29 years with Douglas County in June.
Thanks for all you do, Sharon!
Congratulations on 53 years of working for Douglas County, Nebraska! Micki Knapp, a Health Unit Assistant, started her career at Douglas County Health Center in April 1971! She loves the county's benefits, but most importantly, serving others.
Thank you, Micki, for your longtime commitment to helping the Douglas County Health Center residents!
Here's a throwback! Check out Dan Kutilek, Engineering and Planning Manager for the Douglas County Engineer's Office, in this old-school picture from 1974. Dan has been working with Douglas County since 1971! That's more than 50 years!
Thanks, Dan, for your loyalty and dedication to the residents of Douglas County!
COMMISSIONER'S CORNER
COMMISSIONER'S CORNER
The Douglas County Board of Commissioners
WELCOME
WELCOME
Dear Douglas County employees,
It is my honor to give a brief welcome message for our inaugural employee newsletter and to serve as your County Board Chair since January 2024. It has been a journey and a privilege to learn about the important public services each of you provides to our community. I always say that whether we serve as the frontline worker, the supervisor, the behind-the-scenes administrator, or in any other role within our organization, each of us is an essential piece of the puzzle. Together, we all contribute to the overall picture and mission of Douglas County, and without any one of us, the whole is not complete.
The public services we provide are diverse in nature, all serving critical needs within our community. People often ask me, “What is a typical day for a Commissioner?” I tell them that our issues on any given day can be quite varied; we might go from addressing corrections issues one moment to shifting gears to public health and then to discussing noxious weeds in western Douglas County, all within the same meeting. Across all of our departments, each of you brings a unique craft, skillset, talent, passion, and commitment to public service. Thank you for your dedication to serving others and our society. You are the lifeblood of our operations. Together, we form a county government dedicated to serving our local community.
Thank you for being a part of this mission and onward into the second half of 2024.
Roger Garcia
Chair, Douglas County Board of Commissioners
To learn about our other Commissioners, check out: https://commissioners.douglascounty-ne.gov/
HR NEWS
HR NEWS
The latest news and important information from Douglas County Human Resources
Allows employees to make payments on large purchases through payroll deductions.
Get more information and sign up here!
Sword Thrive - New Digital Physical Therapy
Virtual Physical Therapy at no cost to you!
Customized physical therapy sessions prepared by a Physical Therapist in the comfort of your home.
Sign up through the Sword Thrive website.
Asset Health - Wellness Platform/Portal
All medically enrolled employees (and medically enrolled spouses) are encouraged to take advantage of the tools and resources on the wellness portal (assethealth.com/douglascounty) and complete activities to receive points toward earning the Wellness Credit for 2025.
The deadline to complete the incentive requirements is Nov. 30th!
Welcome New Employees!
Welcome New Employees!
Clerk of the District Court
Suzanne (Suzy) Schueler
Community Mental Health Center
Ashia Alford
Cherita Nyamedi
Estrella Cruz
Lady Herrera
Stephanie Shields
Darrell (Dean) Irvine
Thomas (Mike) Latzel
County Attorney
Martha (Jo) Schooley
911 Communications
Brian Linnell
Jeric Barton
Brian Herring
Lily Jensen
Austin Beutler
SirrNay Ku
Stacey Bang
District Court
Hannah Schweitzer
Election Commission
Anne McGuire
Catalina Ramirez
Janet (Jan) Winkelbauer
Health Center
Domonique Pitts
David Duley
Sulekha Omar
Asmita Adhikari
Viridiana (Viri) Martinez
Ibrahim Olayiwola
Ajok Macheik
Antonio Venable-Harris
Nashiya (Shyy) Ammons
Health Department
Amanda Blomenkamp
Eric Bradley
Lexie Jenkins
Gabriela Hermosillo
Juvenile Assessment Center
Aracely Salgado
Assessor/Register of Deeds
Diane Warnke
Christopher (Cal) Savin
Youth Center
Thierno Sy
Mark Bogard
Congratulations!
Congratulations!
RETIREMENTS
Robert Radcliffe - Health Center
Arthur Cooks - Corrections
Walter Barbee - Corrections
PROMOTIONS
Zachary Bass - Assessor/Register of Deeds
Naktangi Pierce - Assessor/Register of Deeds
Ashley Roper - Corrections
Emily Kimsey - Corrections
Hannah Sullivan - Corrections
Andrew Fielder - Corrections
Courtney Jacobsen - County Attorney
COMMUNITY EVENTS
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Free (or cheap) Family-Friendly Events in Douglas County This Month
LIVE MUSIC
Opera Outdoors
Sept. 6
7 p.m.
FREE
Turner Park, 3110 Farnam St., Omaha
https://www.operaomaha.org/
Saturdays at Stinson Park
Sept. 13 & 29
7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
FREE
Stinson Park, 2285 S. 67th St., Omaha
https://www.aksarbenvillage.com/events
Boomstock
Sept. 21
4 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
FREE
Gene Leahy Mall, 1001 Douglas St., Omaha
https://theriverfrontomaha.com/
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Benson First Friday
Sept. 6
6 p.m. – 11 p.m.
FREE
61st and Maple Streets, Omaha
https://www.bffomaha.org/
Sunflower Festival
Sept. 6, 7 & 8
Times vary by day
$15 ages 4 & up; Under 3 FREE
Nelson Produce Farm, 10505 N 234th St, Valley
https://www.nelsonproducefarm.com
Junkstock
Sept. 27, 28 & 29
Times vary by day
$15 daily or $25 weekend
1150 River Road Drive, Waterloo
https://www.junkstock.com/
ART
Rockbrook Village Art Fair
Sept. 7 & 8
Times vary by day
FREE
2800 S. 110th Ct., Omaha
https://rockbrookvillage.com/art-fair/
The Joslyn Art Museum Reopening
Sept. 10
1 p.m. – 8 p.m.
FREE
2200 Dodge St., Omaha
https://joslyn.org/events/opening-day
Union for Contemporary Art:
Family Night
Sept. 11
5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
FREE
2423 North 24th St., Omaha
https://www.u-ca.org/happenings/family-night-sep2024
JOB POSTINGS
JOB POSTINGS
Recent job postings from Douglas County Human Resources
Do you know someone that is interested in joining Douglas County? Refer a friend! With 22 different departments serving our community, there is something for everyone! Check out our full list of open positions and submit applications on the Douglas County Careers page.
Psychiatric Registered Nurse (FT & PT)
Psychiatric Registered Nurse (FT & PT)
Compensation: $37.91 - $47.91/Hour
Associate's degree, Diploma or BSN from an accredited college or university in nursing required.
Licensed Registered Nurse (RN) in Nebraska or a compact state recognized by the Nebraska Board of Nursing upon hire and maintained in good standing throughout employment required.
Basic life support/cardiopulmonary resuscitation (BLS/CPR) certification, first aid course and completion of Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training within 6 months of hire.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and own mode of transportation at the time of hire and throughout employment required.
Completion of a pre-employment criminal record check and conditional offer drug screen required.
Click here to view the full job description and submit your application
Real Estate Lister
Real Estate Lister
Compensation: $24.68 - $30.14/Hour
High school diploma or equivalent required.
Two (2) years of experience in real estate appraisal, assessment, sales, brokerage and/or real estate construction required.
Two (2) years of experience with MSOffice required.
Valid driver’s license upon hire and maintained throughout employment required.
Completion of a pre-employment criminal record check and conditional offer drug screen required.
Click here to view the full job description and submit your application
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
In case you missed our recent social media stories, here’s a look at what we are sharing with our online community.
Click on the photos below to read the full story!
All month long we'll be sharing helpful tips, advice, and important information to help you stay informed and ready for any disaster, emergency, or crisis. Be sure to "like" and follow Douglas County Emergency Management Agency on Facebook and X (@DCEMA_Nebraska).
We recently celebrated an exciting milestone for the Douglas County community – the groundbreaking ceremony for the Mental Health Addition at Douglas County Corrections NE. This new facility will feature 80 beds, offering a safe and therapeutic environment for incarcerated individuals facing severe mental health challenges.
We are incredibly grateful for Team Rubicon, a veteran-led humanitarian organization, whose selfless volunteers helped Douglas County residents clear tree debris from their homes after the July 31st windstorm.
Nelson Produce Farm is the largest watermelon producer in the Midwest and they recently held their 6th annual Watermelon Festival! It was two weekends packed with free watermelon, watermelon bus rides, watermelon eating and seed spitting contests, photo contests, and their famous watermelon slushees!
Douglas County residents enjoyed another season of Jazz on the Green at Midtown Crossing at Turner Park presented by Omaha Performing Arts.
This year’s celebration was a beautiful reminder of the love, diversity, and unity within our LGBTQIA+ community here in Douglas County! Let's continue to support and uplift each other, not just today, but every day.
The Douglas County Board of Commissioners recently recognized Walter Barbee for his 28 years of service at the Douglas County Department of Corrections! Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement, Walter!
After nearly 18 years of dedicated service, Paul Johnson retired from his role as the Douglas County Emergency Management Agency Director. The Douglas County Board of Commissioners officially recognized Paul's retirement at a recent board meeting.
The Douglas County Board of Commissioners recently recognized Robert Lessley for his 21 years of service at the Douglas County Youth Center! Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement, Robert!
The Douglas County Board of Commissioners recently recognized Elizabeth Hazuka for her 23 years of service at the Douglas County Attorney's Office! Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement, Elizabeth!
The Douglas County Board of Commissioners recently honored and recognized Joe Lorenz for his 13 years of outstanding service as the finance and budget director for Douglas County.
On Tuesday, June 11, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners recognized Kim Hawekotte, Deputy County Administrator for Juvenile Services, for receiving the 2024 Marion Mattingly Lifetime Achievement Award from the Coalition for Juvenile Justice (CJJ).
Meet Your Newsletter Team!
Employee Giveaway!
Win a FREE DRINK from Scooter's
Want a chance to win FREE coffee or a drink of your choice from Scooter's Coffee? Email us a picture of yourself at work and share what you love most about your job at newsletter@douglascounty-ne.gov.
Winners will be randomly selected from all entries. Don’t miss out—submit your entry by September 16 at 4 p.m. Central!
Special thanks to this month's giveaway sponsor:
Contact us:
Contact us:
Do you have a story idea for our newsletter or want to highlight an employee or colleague?
Email us at: newsletter@douglascounty-ne.gov
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