Social Worker - Youth & Family Services; Unit

Douglas County is seeking applicants to fill a position in our Youth and Family Services Unit.

• Medical and Dental Insurance
• HSA contribution options
• County‑paid life and AD&D insurance options
• Annual wage increases based on performance evaluation
• PSLF participation
• Vacation, sick, and personal time accruals
• Participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension

Douglas County is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

The full‑time Social Worker position will provide services in the Youth and Family Services Unit. The Social Worker will aid individuals and families requiring assistance from the human services agency and Child Protection Ongoing Services, as well as Custody Intake.

Social Worker is the entry‑level class for functions of moderate difficulty in all program areas. Employees work under close supervision and are expected to develop knowledge of the laws, policies, and administrative procedures of county social work programs, to learn the principles of human behavior and development, to develop interviewing and assessment skills, caseload organization and management skills, and to use community resources.

Social Worker will demonstrate competency in ethical practice, writing skills, court testimony and reports, judgment and decision making, responsibility and accountability, resource and fiscal awareness and interpersonal skills.

• Perform family assessments addressing critical issues to child safety;
• Coordinate service plans including collaboration with various service providers;
• Re‑assess child safety at designated intervals;
• Evaluate case plan at designated intervals measuring progress toward child safety;
• Seek court jurisdiction and submit recommendations to the Court by way of reports and testimony;
• Facilitate placements in a least restrictive manner and provide supervision of alternate care cases, meeting agency, state and federal requirements, standards and Wisconsin children's code;
• Respond 24/7 as assigned and appropriate to juvenile custody intake calls.

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in human services field with at minimum one year work experience is acceptable.
• Ability and willingness to become Wisconsin Social Work certified per statute 457.08 (1) and/or 457.09(1) may be necessary during course of employment and is preferred.
• One to two years’ related work experience preferred.
• Financial aptitude, computer knowledge, and driver’s license with proof of insurance for transporting and/or making appointments with clients is required.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, and comfortability in presenting to management group, public groups, and various committees.
• Must be able to deal with a variety of people in all aspects of this work.

• Working knowledge of social and economic factors which influence family life.
• Some knowledge of principles of human behavior and development and psychological defense mechanisms.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Knowledge of public social service and assistance programs.
• Knowledge of interviewing techniques and problem‑solving methodology.
• Knowledge of reactions to stress.
• Working knowledge of social casework objectives, principles, methods, and caseload management and organization.
• Knowledge of the specialized and more difficult program area to which assigned.
• Knowledge of the laws, policies, and administrative procedures of county social service programs.
• Knowledge of the use and abuse of medications may be required for certain positions.
• Knowledge of how to access area resources; skilled in written and oral communications; able to successfully facilitate wrap‑around team meetings while focusing on strengths, accurately listening and developing trust of team members.

• Apply casework skills to identify the client's problems.
• Formulate and modify case plans in conjunction with clients.
• Interview effectively, gather information and engage the client in the problem‑solving process.
• Manage assigned caseload and establish caseload priorities to meet client needs and agency expectations.
• Understand and explain agency limitations,…