Adult Protective Services/Court Services Lead (HHS)

Walworth County, WI; Elkhorn (WI); On-site; USD 47,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Walworth County in Elkhorn, WI seeks an Adult Protective Services/Court Services Lead to respond to elder abuse cases, coordinate court-ordered evaluations, and oversee protective reviews. The role includes managing ongoing case monitoring and supervising a pool of volunteer guardians, with no direct supervisory responsibilities.

The position requires a Master’s in social work (or equivalent), two years of relevant experience, a Wisconsin Social Worker license or temporary certificate, and a

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work or related field and at least two years of relevant prior experience.
• Knowledge of DHS Chapter 34, 46, 54 and 55 preferred.
• Wisconsin Social Worker license or certification; temporary certificate acceptable for initial employment.
• Valid Wisconsin driver’s license and ability to provide reliable vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Assign elder abuse referrals and lead interdisciplinary teams.
• Complete annual protective reviews and oversee case management.
• Respond to abuse/neglect reports and assess safety of victims.
• Educate community on elder abuse and collaborate with allied agencies.
• Prepare affidavits/petitions and represent HHS in court hearings.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Education

Master's degree in social work

Bachelor's degree with experience accepted

Job description

Adult Protective Services/Court Services Lead (HHS)

Salary: $34.20 - $44.67 Hourly

Location: Elkhorn, WI

Job Type: Full-time

Job Number: 2026-00120

Department: Health & Human Services

Division: Aging & Disability Resource Center

Opening Date: 10/14/2026

Closing Date: 10/28/2026 5:00 PM Central

Position Summary

This position is responsible for the response to reports of abuse and neglect to the elderly and other adults at risk of abuse, coordination and completion of comprehensive evaluations ordered by the courts, completion of annual protective placement reviews and providing on-going case monitoring for individuals placed at ICF-MRs and state centers. This position monitors and supports a pool of volunteer guardians.

SUPERVISION

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

SCHEDULE

Division: Aging & Disability Resource Center

Days: Monday - Friday

Work Hours: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Hours Per Shift: 8

Shifts Per Pay Period: 10

Position FTE: 1.00

Applications are being accepted from current County employees as well as members of the public.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

This job description reflects management's assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

• Assign “screened in” elder abuse referrals to Adult Protective Service Specialists.
• Serve as the lead facilitator of the I-Team, which is an Interdisciplinary Team of law enforcement, APS staff, community stakeholders, MCO’s, ICA’s Walworth County Corporation Counsel and Walworth County Behavioral Health staff.
• Convene a Financial Abuse Specialist Team (FAST). The F.A.S.T. team is a multi-disciplinary team comprised of Adult Protective Services, County Corporation Counsel, Law Enforcement, Financial Institutions and District Attorney personnel.
• Oversee the Coordinate Community Response group including development of agendas and facilitation of meetings.
• Complete annual protective placement reviews for persons who are elderly, physically disabled or intellectually disabled and are enrolled in a long-term care program.
• Provide on-going case management for clients in ICF-MRs and state centers and assist with community placements of these clients.
• Respond to and assess abuse/neglect reports – interview individuals alleging maltreatment, assess and determine safety of victim and determine disposition of allegations.
• Provide short-term case management services for assigned caseload, including face-to-face contact, in home or community.
• Conduct community outreach educating the general public about elder abuse, financial exploitation, scams, etc.
• Consult, coach and collaborate with team members, families, individuals, providers, and Health & Human Services staff.
• Respond to crisis situations and provide necessary services and interventions.
• Collaborate with other programs/individuals across department to ensure coordination of care.
• Assist consumers with Power of Attorney of Healthcare and Finance, and providing notary services when needed.
• Complete affidavits and petitions for Guardianship, Conservatorship and Protective Placements.
• Complete paperwork related to Review of Conduct of Guardian, Successor Guardian. Removal of Guardian and Review of Conduct of POA. Represent HHS in court hearings.
• Collaborate with Corporation Counsel for cases being referred for court proceedings.
• Facilitate consumer access to service. Coordinate continuity of care with alternative providers.
• Participate in trainings to update knowledge and skills to maintain standards and ensure certification/personal license.
• Incorporate current best practice models into daily service provisions work with individuals/families.
• Ensure compliance with program standards and maintain necessary documentation as required by Walworth County Department of Health & Human Services, Department of Health Services (DHS) and state/federal statutes.
• Input information about elder/adult-at-risk investigations into the web-based Wisconsin Reporting for Adult Protective Services (WRAPS) as mandated by the State.
• Document consumer interactions and interventions in the HHS electronic health record (ie. Netsmart).
• Educate financial institutions, law enforcement and other agencies regarding abuse/neglect statutes and requirements.
• Participate in Long Term Care division functions related to the general operation including trainings, supervision, progress meetings for consumers, division/program staff meetings, supervision, resource development, marketing and outreach to the general public.
• Serve on related work groups, projects, committees and/or community projects, as assigned.
• Demonstrate a commitment to county safety and risk management efforts.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education And/or Experience

Master’s degree (bachelor’s degree with experience accepted) in social work or related field and at least two years of relevant prior experience. Documented experience working with seniors and people with disabilities and knowledge of DHS Chapter 34, 46, 54 and 55 preferred. Knowledge of Trauma Informed Care Principles is essential.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Valid Wisconsin driver’s license
• Proof of minimum liability auto insurance coverage.
• Must be able to provide a reliable personal vehicle to be used for business related travel as needed.
• Wisconsin Social Worker license or certification - A temporary certificate will meet the requirements for initial employment when an individual meets all the qualifications for the permanent certificate except for passing the required examinations. A permanent license/certificate is required for continued employment within nine months of the date of hire; failure to attain said license or certification will be grounds for termination. Any lapse in Wisconsin Social Work license/certification is cause for immediate termination.

Interactions and Communications

Provides specialized information and/or recommendations to others regarding an area of expertise. This may include law enforcement agencies, court system, hospitals, community agencies, and/or the general public.

Decision Making

This position has authority to make decisions that are consistent with policies and precedents; supervision and managerial direction is available as requested. These decisions directly impact performance in the job and/or the work unit within the department and information is provided with additional research and observations which contributes to the decision making process.

Thinking and Problem Solving

In relation to established procedures, protocols and policies of the County, challenges in this position tend to be diverse, but are typically covered by precedent or established practice. Must be able to utilize critical thinking skills and at times have to make difficult safety related decisions.

Tools & Equipment Used

• Telephone Copy Machine
• Calculator Personal Computer/Printer
• FAX Machine Electronic Mobile Devices

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, unclean homes, outside weather conditions, and extreme heat. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate and the employee is expected to travel to consumer homes and/or other agencies/locations as part of their normal work duties.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and sit. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Selection Process

• Formal Walworth County Electronic Application
• Education & Experience Review
• Verification of Driver License
• Verification of State Licensure
• Oral Department Interview
• Reference Check
• Background Check
• Post Offer Physical Exam
• Drug Screen

Other Job Related Tests May Be Required.

WALWORTH COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT SUMMARY

E - Human Service Professional Employees

BARGAINING UNIT: Human Service Professional Employees Hired on or after January 1, 2012

DATE: January 1, 2019

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: All employees of Walworth County are at-will employees.

BASIS OF PAYMENT: You are paid for actual hours worked plus pay for any accrued benefit time for which you are eligible. You are eligible for overtime or compensatory time in accordance with provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

SCHEDULED TIME OFF: Accrued based on straight-time hours paid each pay period. All accrued scheduled time off hours are available for use, subject to approval of your supervisor. As a full-time employee you earn scheduled time off equivalent to the following:

10 days per year after 1 year of Walworth County Service

15 days per year after 5 years of Walworth County Service

20 days per year after 15 years of Walworth County Service

• certain positions may be considered for additional Scheduled Time Off (STO) based on continuous related experience per Ord. Sec. 15-515 (e)

PERSONAL TIME OFF: Employees will receive 64 hours of personal time off as a lump sum at the beginning of each year (pro-rated for pt and newly-hired employees). At the end of each calendar year, an employee may request to move remaining personal time off hours to the extended sick leave bank. If no request is made, any remaining hours shall be paid out on the employee's last pay date of the calendar year.

EXTENDED SICK LEAVE BANK: Used for time off of work for more serious health conditions that require three or more consecutive days off or when on an approved leave of absence.

HOLIDAYS: Ten paid holidays each year. A p-t employee would receive pro-rated holiday pay based on positions budgeted FTE.

INSURANCE: Employees hired into a .75 FTE or higher position are eligible for Health, Dental, Life, Vision, Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability insurance benefits on the first of the month following 30 days of service provided you complete enrollment forms within 30 days of hire. Employees hired into a .50 FTE or higher position are eligible for all benefits listed below except Health insurance. Employees hired into a .49 FTE or less position are eligible to participate in Short-Term Disability only.

Health Insurance: You can choose Tier 1 or Tier 2. Tier 1 is a standard co-pay plan. Tier 2 is a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA). The County will contribute an amount approved by the County Board, payable as a lump sum to your HSA for Tier 2. You may also elect to contribute to your HSA up to the IRS maximum. You may elect either family or single coverage. The monthly premium will be split between the County and the employee.

Dental Insurance: You may elect either family or single coverage. The county shall pay 100% (single or family) of the premium for a full-time and 50% (single or family) of the premium for a part-time employee enrolled in dental insurance.

Life Insurance: The County provides you with term life insurance in an amount equal to $25,000. You have the option of purchasing additional coverage for yourself, spouse and/or dependent children.

Short-Term Disability Insurance: The County provides you with Short-Term Disability Insurance with premiums paid by the employer.

LTD Insurance: The County provides you with Long Term Disability Insurance. The monthly premium is 0.83% of your insured monthly wages. The County shall pay 67% of the premium & the employee shall pay 33% of the premium.

Vision Insurance: You may elect to participate in Vision insurance. The employee electing coverage shall pay 100% (single or family) of the premium for vision insurance.

WISCONSIN RETIREMENT: You are covered under the Wisconsin Retirement System if you are expected to work a minimum of 1200 hours per year for a period of one year or more. The WRS provides you with separation, disability or retirement benefits upon termination. The payment is split between the county and employee, as prescribed by state law. Employees expected to work less than 1200 hours per year will not receive this benefit.

TAX-SHELTERED BENEFITS: You may elect to participate in the following tax-sheltered benefits:

Deferred Compensation (S457 plan)

Medical Spending Account (S125 plan)

Dependent Care Plan (S125 plan)

Health Savings Account (S223 plan)

WORKERS COMPENSATION: You are covered by Workers Compensation for any illness or injury arising out of your employment. Medical expenses and compensation for lost time are paid from the workers' compensation plan. In addition, the County will supplement the workers' compensation lost-time payment for up to 1 year, making you whole on a "net-check" basis.

DIRECT DEPOSIT: You are required to participate in direct deposit of your paycheck to a banking institution of your choice.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: You and your family are encouraged to use the Employee Assistance Program for help in addressing confidential family and financial matters. EAP services are provided through Curalinc. Please call 888-881-5462 for help.