SENIOR SOCIAL WORKER

Senior Social Worker

Senior Social Worker

Washington County, located in West Bend, Wisconsin has an excellent opportunity for a full time Senior Social Worker in the Youth Justice & Child Protective Services Unit. Under the general supervision of the Family Services Supervisor, provides primary intake duties as defined in Chapter 48 and Chapter 938 of the Wisconsin State Statutes. Works closely with community providers, law enforcement, social workers and Acute Care Services to assess child safety or make juvenile intake decisions.
This position is cross-trained on CPS intake, juvenile intake and initial assessment functions in order to meet the statutory requirements for afterhours intake under 48.067 and 938.067.

Qualified candidates must possess:
* Bachelor's Degree in Social Work. Masters preferred.
* State certification as a social worker within 6 months of hire.
* A valid Wisconsin driver's license, available automobile and automobile insurance are required.

Washington County offers excellent benefits which include health, dental and life
insurance, Short Term and Long Term Disability; Medical and Dependent Flexible Spending Accounts; Wisconsin Retirement System and Wisconsin Deferred Compensation (IRS 457); Holidays and Paid Time Off (PTO); fitness center and tuition reimbursement.

Please visit our website at www.washcowisco.gov to complete our online application. If you have any questions, please call (262) 335-4633. Thank you for considering Washington County.

Position Summary:

Under the general supervision of the Family Services Supervisor, provides primary intake duties as defined in Chapter 48 and Chapter 938 of the Wisconsin State Statutes. Works closely with community providers, law enforcement, social workers and Acute Care Services to assess child safety or make juvenile intake decisions. This is a second shift position with scheduled working hours from 3:00 PM to 11:30 PM. Hours may vary due to workload and program needs.

This position is cross-trained on CPS intake, juvenile intake and initial assessment functions in order to meet the statutory requirements for afterhours intake under 48.067 and 938.067

CPS Intake is the process of receiving, analyzing, and documenting reports of alleged child maltreatment. The functions of CPS Intake are to:

1. Receive and document reports of alleged maltreatment from the community,
2. Identify families that the CPS system must respond to
3. Identify potential active safety threats to determine the urgency of the response time
4. Initiate an assessment of child safety and family strengths.

Juvenile Intake is the process of receiving, analyzing, and documenting requests of juvenile criminal charges. The functions of juvenile Intake are to:

1. Receive and document law enforcement and truancy referrals
2. Identify and screen juveniles that are taken into custody and make custody decisions
3. Conduct intake interview and initiate an assessment of child and family strengths.
4. Make recommendation to district attorney regarding action on legal referrals pursuant to 938.067

Duties/Responsibilities:

The following duties are normal for this position. Job descriptions are not intended, and should not be construed to be exhaustive lists of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with a job; they are intended to be accurate reflections of those principal job elements.

Child Protective Services Intake Duties: In accordance with s.48.981(3)(c), gathers information from reporter as to the alleged maltreatment, the function of the child(ren), parents, family unit and family's response to intervention. Gathers information from other providers or community resources as to the vulnerability of the child(ren). Provides written documentation and initial screening decision to the Family Services Supervisor for final screening decision and possible case assignment. If required, the intake social worker will respond mobile and make initial face to face contact to assess child safety and take protective action if necessary--- including developing and initiating safety plans or taking temporary physical custody of the child(ren). They may also be requested to assist an Initial Assessment Social Worker with transportation of a child at the time of taking temporary physical custody, medical appts, court hearings, etc. as needed.

Youth Justice Intake Worker Duties: In accordance with 938.067, the intake social worker will receive information from Law Enforcement when a youth is alleged to have committed a crime. The intake social worker will gather information from the law enforcement officer regarding the youth behavior, the surrounding circumstances and the outcome of the youth behavior. The intake social worker will review agency records and collateral information to make custody recommendations regarding the youth remaining in the home, going to a non-secure placement, or a secure placement in juvenile detention. If placement is warranted, the intake social worker will respond out and complete the temporary physical custody request.

Work Direction Received:

Work under the direction of the Family Services Supervisor

Supervision Exercised:

None

Decision Making:
The Intake Social Worker will assess the information received and make a recommendation to the Family Services Supervisor accepting for initial assessment any report which suggests that there is reason to believe a child under 18 years of age may have been subjected to treatment which meets a definition of abuse at s. 48.02(1), Stats., or the definition of neglect at s. 48.981(1)(d), Stats., or has been subjected to treatment that threatens the child with abuse or neglect and there is reason to believe that abuse or neglect will occur. The intake social worker will also assess for danger threats at the point of Access. Based on the safety decisions made at the point of Access, the Intake Social Worker will also make a recommendation of when the first initial face to face contact will occur with a family who has been screened in for services.

The Intake Social Worker will assess the information received by law enforcement and per agency record check to make custody decisions for youth who are alleged to have committed a crime per 938.067. The Intake Social Worker will consult with the Family Services Supervisor regarding the custody decision.

Other duties the Intake Social Worker may be responsible for include conducting safety controls in the home on open cases that have a current safety plan and/or a small caseload of initial assessment investigations or deferred prosecution cases.

Interaction:
There is daily interaction with families, law enforcement, Acute Care Services, hospital personnel, mental health professionals, schools, and other community providers.

Essential Knowledge and Abilities:

Knowledge of Chapter 48 Children's Code and Wisconsin State CPS Standards for Access, Initial Assessment and Safety Intervention. Knowledge of Chapter 938 Juvenile Justice Code. Basic understanding of child development, childhood trauma, mental health and alcohol or drug addiction, knowledge of current social and economic problems and the way in which these issues affect families. Exceptional telephone, communication and computer skills are essential to this position. Ability to multi-task completing several functions at the same time that coincide with one another. Ability to prioritize competing tasks in a rapid fashion. Ability to think critically and problem-solve in crisis situations and de-escalate conflictual situations. Work environment can be hostile, fast paced and at times highly volatile.

Ability to fulfill physical demands of job, sensory demands (seeing and hearing) and cognitive demands (concentration, conceptualization, memorization).

Training and Experience:

Requirements: Bachelors degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in Social Work and the ability to be certified as a social worker in the State of Wisconsin within 6 months of hire. Masters Degree in Social Work with licensure preferred. Priority to candidates who have experience working with children and families in the capacity of child welfare, youth justice or child protective services. A valid Wisconsin driver's license, available automobile, and automobile insurance are required.

Washington County is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans, and Individual with Disabilities

Position : 200566

Posting Start : 08/28/2025

Posting End : 12/31/9999

SALARY RANGE: $69,779.00-$92,785.00