Lead Social Worker - Initial Assessment

Getactivewoodcounty; Wisconsin Rapids (WI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS)

Job summary

Wood County Human Services Department is seeking an experienced Initial Assessment Lead Social Worker to provide expert support in child protective services, coaching and guiding staff, and ensuring timely, safe investigations. The role emphasizes adherence to Wisconsin statutes and the Wood County Child Welfare Model of Practice.

The position carries a reduced caseload, with opportunities for professional development and on-site collaboration across departments to enhance family outcomes and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work required; MSW preferred for field supervision.
• Social Work Certification per Wisconsin Chapter 457.08 is required or eligible.
• Five years of experience with children and families in child welfare preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assess safety in alleged maltreatment cases using social work methods.
• Provide services to at-risk children and families; court preparation and testimony.
• Manage workload with required paperwork and court reports; maintain documentation per statutes.
• Collaborate with community systems (schools, courts, providers) to coordinate services.
• Participate in rotating paid on-call system outside normal hours.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Social Work

MSW preferred

Job description

Wood Countyis an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V).

WHO WE ARE:

The Wood County Human Services Department has great passion for helping the members of our community. As an employer, we strive to provide a work environment where diversity and differing opinions are valued, creativity is encouraged, continuous learning and improvement are fostered, teamwork and open/honest communication are encouraged, and meeting customer needs through quality services is a shared goal across all departments. If you have a background in Social Work and a passion to help the members of our community, please consider joining our team!

WHAT WE OFFER:

In addition to who we are, Wood County team members are offered competitive salaries, flexible schedules, and an excellent benefits, including:

• -Health Insurance - we offer low premiums and low deductibles, with excellent coverage!
• -Dental Insurance
• -Vision Insurance
• -Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) - Build your future, consistently recognized as one of the country's top public retirement plans.
• -457 deferred compensation plan
• -On-Site Training and Continuing Education Credits
• -Vacation and Sick Time - Start accruing for both on your first day!
• -Paid Holidays
• -Flexible Spending Account to set aside pre-tax dollars for childcare and medical expenses
• -Life Insurance
• -Short and Long-Term Disability
• -Wellness Incentive Plan
• -Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program

CURRENT OPPORTUNITY:

The Wood County Human Services Department, River Block location, has an opening for a full-time (.97FTE) Initial Assessment Lead Social Worker position. The Initial Assessment Lead Social Worker will serve as a specialist in Child Protective Services and will provide consultation and support to Initial Assessment social workers and case managers in making critical case determinations within the statutory time frame for children and families. This position will also carry a reduced Initial Assessment caseload as compared to other members of the Initial Assessment Team. The position will ensure safety while upholding statutes, standards and the Wisconsin Child Welfare Model of Practice. The work is performed under the immediate direction of the Access and Initial Assessment Supervisor with additional oversight.

GENERAL FUNCTION:

This Social Worker position responds to reports of child maltreatment by assessing for child safety, completing safety assessments, identifying risk factors and evaluating the need for services in an effort to ensure child safety and enhance family functioning. In addition to carrying an Initial Assessment caseload, and in consultation and collaboration with the Access and Initial Assessment Supervisor, will provide coaching, modeling and ensure appropriate interpretation, application and implementation of policies, procedures and statutes to ensure comprehensive investigation of child maltreatment. The Initial Assessment and Lead Social Worker will ensure all documentation of information, decisions and actions taken are entered in a timely manner. The position will ensure all case records are prepared in accordance with agency, state and federal policy guidelines. The position will also model, coach, train observe and provide feedback to workers to develop and enhance their knowledge, skill and abilities related to the provision of mandated social worker services.

SUPERVISES:

No direct supervisory responsibility.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Essential Functions (70%)

1. Use Social Work Methods, principles, strengths-based approaches, and interviewing techniques to assess for safety in cases of alleged maltreatment. The social worker will need to establish rapport with the parents and family to obtain adequate information to identify any potential safety threats or risk factors and determine if formal interventions are warranted. The social worker must develop a cooperative working relationship with other community systems involved with treatment of the child and his family and assist the family in obtaining services as needed.
2. Provide services to children at risk of abuse and neglect and their families. Court preparation and testimony is required
3. Manage workload to assure adequate compliance with required paperwork through Court Reports and eWiSACWIS documentation per Wisconsin State Statutes, Child Protective Services Access and Initial Assessment Standards, Child Protective Services Safety Intervention Standards and internal processes.
4. Function as a team member with staff throughout Human Services, school personnel, placement providers, court officials, volunteers, law enforcement, and treatment and service providers.
5. Participate in a rotating paid on-call system to respond to emergent situations outside of traditional business hours, including weekends and holidays.
6. Responsible to know and practice the Safety policies of the County. Perform all job tasks in a safe and prescribed manner.
7. Must be familiar with and exemplify the Wood County Core Values and serve with courtesy and respect in accordance with the Wood County Code of Conduct.

This position will further be responsible for the following duties:

1. Train and coach new and existing staff and interns. Provide individual field training for assigned staff/interns, which includes but is not limited to consultations and training involving abuse or neglect of children and adolescents, documentation, interviewing, court, maltreatment and effects of maltreatment, safety, protocols and procedures, navigating Child Protective Services Access and Initial Assessment Standards, Safety Standards, Ongoing Services Standards, Wisconsin Statutes, and the initial assessment process in a positive and supportive manner, exemplifying the Wisconsin Child Welfare Model for Practice as well as the agency’s mission and vision. (10%)
2. Provide backup access screening and approvals for supervisor. (10%)
3. Provide technical guidance around investigative and assessment activities, cover court hearings as needed, assist in supervising safety in case consultation, monitor revisions of Protective Plans as required. Review case records and provide feedback to social workers/case managers. Ensure all documentation, decision and actions taken are entered in a timely manner. (5%)
4. May participate in a rotating on call system to support staff in making decisions related to child safety and CPS matters outside of normal business hours.
5. Assist the supervisor with developing administrative issuances and protocols, performance measures, and other strategic process improvements. (3%)
6. Conduct community education training for outside community agencies and present community education and awareness. Create PowerPoint presentations, organize and facilitate trainings. (2%)

Other Job Duties

1. Attend Department staff meetings, appropriate training and education, and supervisory conferences.
2. Represent the County in a professional manner to all clients, professionals and community members when doing County’s business.
3. Demonstrate the ability to critically think by constructively utilizing training and education provided along with administrative consultation.
4. Any other duties as may be assigned.

Job Qualifications:

EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum qualifications of a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Master’s Degree preferred for field supervision of Title IV-E MSW students, or a directly related field and possession of, or eligibility for, Social Work Certification in accordance with Wisconsin Chapter 457.08 is required. Five years of experience working with children and families in an area related to child welfare preferred.

Also required is the ability and proficiency in the use of a ten key calculator and entering data into a computer terminal, consistent with established Department standards. Basic, everyday living skills are needed, as is the ability to understand and follow oral and written directions. Reading, writing, adding and subtracting is needed to maintain files and necessary budgeting procedures. Demonstrated ability to deal with the public in a professional and courteous manner, and to work with professional staff as part of a team. This position requires travel to and from off-campus sites and the transport of clients. Individuals may use personal vehicles or other means of reliable transportation.

Basic everyday living skills, the ability to understand and follow directions (agency manuals, etc) and reading and writing (for reports) is necessary. Ability to communicate orally and in writing with individuals and groups.

Basic office equipment used – computer terminal, printing equipment, dictation equipment, telephone, copy machine, FAX machine.