The Office of Public Guardian will be unable to offer internships/externships during the fall of 2023.
Further updates will be made regarding our internship/externship program in November 2023.
The Office of Public Guardian has internships and externships available for graduate and undergraduate students in law, criminal justice, nursing, social work, psychology, counseling, gerontology, business, accounting, public administration, and other similar academic programs.
Internships and externships are typically available for spring, summer and fall semesters, pending staff supervision availability. The Office of Public Guardian will work with students to ensure they meet the requirements of their academic programs.
Interns/Externs may provide support to Associate Public Guardians who:
- Investigate the financial, psychological, familial, and social histories of individuals served
- Plan and arrange for services, including housing
- Make home and facility visits
- Make decisions about the individual’s medical, surgical and hospitalization needs
- Obtain public and private benefits for which individuals served are eligible
- Ensure the individual’s bills are paid
- Prepare comprehensive personal and financial court reports
- Maintain detailed case records including contact notes, emails, phone calls, etc.
- Attend court hearings as necessary
Interns/Externs may provide support to Legal Counsel who:
- Prepare information on the facts and status of guardianship and conservatorship cases
- Implement legal analysis regarding tax, immigration, property, estate planning, trust, wills, Medicaid, Social Security, Medicare issues
- Research legal precedents, case reports, and other legal documents to collect information for case preparation
- Prepare initial drafts of correspondence, motions, pleadings, orders, affidavits, etc.
- Attend court hearings as necessary
Interns/Externs may also:
- Conduct research into the supports and services available for an individual’s specific need, providing a summary of results and recommendations for follow-up
- Shadow monthly in-person visits, attend planning meetings, and participate in resource coordination
- Review and update medical, financial, and legal case management records
- Participate in legal counsel and case management update meetings
- Attend Guardian/Conservator Education classes and provide support to instructor
- Enter private guardian surveys into the online data base
- Provide updates to the community resources website
- Develop and update community education and recruitment materials
Application Process
Interested individuals should direct all inquiries to Erin Wiesen, Education and Outreach Coordinator, at Erin.Wiesen@nejudicial.gov. If an internship/externship is available, the Nebraska Judicial Branch’s application, interview, and reference/criminal background checks will be required.