Social Service Specialist - Juvenile Detention Center

Job Title

FLSA NON-EXEMPT:
This position provides direct care, supervision, and support to youth residing in the County's juvenile detention center or shelter facility. Staff are responsible for ensuring safety, fostering youth development, and implementing program activities in compliance with Wisconsin D.C.F. 59 and DOC 346 State Statutes, as well as facility policies and procedures. This role requires maintaining a safe, structured, and supportive environment while consistently modeling positive behavior and upholding professional standards.

Essential Leadership Functions

• Act with Integrity and Build Trust
• Drive for Results
• Develop Talent and Effective Teams
• Lead with Vision and Strategy
• Lead with Paradoxical, Critical, and Agile Thinking
• Build and Maintain Effective Relationships
• Cultivate Community Engagement and Provide Excellent Service
• Demonstrate Emotional Intelligence

Essential Job Functions

• Conduct youth intake and admission procedures, including documentation, legal paperwork, and property inventory.
• Supervise and monitor youth during meals, recreation, education, chores, and structured programming.
• Observe, document, and report youth behaviors, concerns, and progress using case management systems.
• Provide emotional support and teach self-regulation and positive coping strategies.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and orderly facility environment; assist with meals, laundry, and housekeeping.
• Respond to emergencies with appropriate interventions, including crisis management, evacuation, and CPR.
• Attend required trainings and meetings; maintain compliance with all state and program requirements.
• Uphold confidentiality and demonstrate professional, respectful communication with youth, families, and staff.
• Physical Demands:
  Regular walking, standing, bending, and lifting light items; occasional lifting/dragging of youth during emergencies. Sensory Demands:
  Near/far vision, active listening, and verbal communication essential for supervision.
• Risk Exposure Categories:
  1. Direct exposure to blood/body fluids during emergency interventions
  2. Indirect exposure while assisting in related tasks 3. No expected exposure during standard tasks

Related Job Function

This job description is not intended to encompass every job duty or responsibility but is only illustrative. This position is required to perform other duties as may be assigned or required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge Adolescent Development – Typical/atypical growth, emotional and social development. Trauma-Informed Care – Impact of ACEs, abuse, and neglect on youth behavior. Juvenile Justice System – DOC 346, PREA standards, court processes, and youth rights. Behavioral Management – Positive interventions, de-escalation, and crisis response. Cultural Competency – Respecting diversity of culture, race, gender identity, and socioeconomic background. Safety & Security – Emergency protocols, searches, contraband prevention, and facility operations.

Health & Mental Health – Awareness of common diagnoses, suicide risk, and medication protocols. Case Management – Accurate record-keeping, progress notes, and incident documentation. Community Resources – Education, vocational, counseling, and re-entry supports.

Skills Clear and respectful communication with youth, families, and professionals. Conflict resolution and mediation of disputes. Strong observation and assessment skills to monitor risks and behavior. Crisis intervention techniques, verbal and physical if necessary. Ability to build trusting relationships with youth while maintaining professional boundaries. Group facilitation for structured activities and discussions. Organization and time management to handle routines and documentation.

Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams (probation, mental health, education, law enforcement). Computer literacy for documentation and reporting.

Abilities Maintain professional boundaries while showing empathy and fairness. Adapt to changing youth needs and facility operations. Stay emotionally regulated in high-stress situations. Make sound decisions quickly under pressure. Demonstrate physical stamina for standing, walking, and emergency interventions. Enforce…