Coordinates or participates in family team meetings to bring both informal supports and formal service providers together to discuss how best to support the parent in making the necessary changes to ensure safety of their child.

Provides social services per Wisconsin Statutes, court policies, and/or requirements of the program, state, or federal guidelines.

In preparation for court hearings, writes court reports and permanency plans. May have to testify or provide information during court hearings. Maintains case records containing pertinent, accurate and current information.

Fully completes required documentation in a timely fashion and in accordance with program requirements.

Conducts ongoing safety and case evaluations to develop and update treatment plans to promote the child's safety, well-being, and permanency to lead to case closure. Permanency is achieved through reunification, transfer of guardianship or a termination of parental rights/adoption.

Maintains skill and competence levels as policies and regulations change by attending department/staff meetings and by participating in continuing training as required and appropriate.

Maintains confidentiality of client-related information, maintains respectful treatment of clients, and adheres to the La Crosse County Standards of Conduct in the Administrative Code (3.13).

Adheres to approved social worker principles, methods, and practices, including the National Association of Social Worker's (NASW) code of ethics.

Performs after hours on-call and intake duties, which includes working nights, weekends, and holidays on a rotating basis.

Reports to work when scheduled, with minimum use of sick leave. Employee is expected to build up sick leave balance for income protection for unexpected illness.

In this public service position, employee is required to be courteous, cooperative and respectful at all times, with the public and clients. Also establishes and maintains a courteous, cooperative and respectful working relationship with other employees, supervisors, and public officials.

Physical demands: Large percentage of time is spent talking and hearing. Approximately half of time is spent sitting and using near and far vision, low fingering. A limited amount of time is spent standing, walking, climbing (using feet and legs), reaching, low to medium lifting and carrying (up to 35 lbs). Occasionally transports/carries a child or assists in transferring an adult. Occasionally it is necessary to stoop, kneel, and bend/twist. There is the threat of physical attack or injury from clients in unusual situations. Uses automobile, telephones, copy machines, computer/keyboard, dictating equipment.

Related Job Functions

Assists and provides back up to other Social Workers as necessary or required.

May be required to work nights, weekends, or during community emergencies and/or disasters, when work may vary from normal job responsibilities.

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 and Abilities

A person in this position must have a high level of resiliency to receive negative feedback and not take it personally.

Ability to be organized and able to prioritize the workload.

Ability to think critically and be able to articulate your thoughts.

Knowledge of the philosophy, history and development of social welfare programs.

Basic knowledge and understanding of human growth and behavior.

Knowledge of current social and economic problems and the way in which these problems affect families and individuals.

Knowledge of laws, regulations and practices pertaining to federal and state public welfare programs.

Knowledge of resources for community welfare and health, and ways in which these resources may be used by people in need.

Knowledge of eWISACWIS.

Knowledge of Child Protective Services Access and Initial Assessment and Ongoing standards and Chapter 48 of the Wisconsin Statutes.

Knowledge of Administrative Codes HFS 38, HFS 54, HFS 12, DCF 56 and DCF 58.

Knowledge of the dynamics of child abuse and neglect, child development and family systems.

Knowledge of trauma-informed care and parenting practices.

Knowledge of motivational interviewing.

Knowledge of Safety Assessment and Planning for Child Protective Services.

Knowledge of specific threats to child safety, assessment and safety planning.

Ability to work with diverse populations.

Ability to relate to people in an unprejudiced and understanding manner with concerns for their circumstances and feelings.

Ability to communicate clearly and effectively.

Ability to plan and organize work to most effectively achieve program objectives.

Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.

Ability to participate in, and appropriately use, available supervision.

Ability to participate meaningfully in training provided by the agency, State Department, the University of Wisconsin Extension, and other resources.

Ability to work closely with law enforcement, medical and court system personnel.

Ability to analyze information and prioritize duties according to urgency.

Ability to work in a fast paced environment with a need to multitask.

Training, Experience and Other Requirements

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a major in Social Work (or any related college degree such as Sociology, Psychology or Criminal Justice).

Minimum one year of experience working with children and families where child abuse or neglect was present, and familiarity with community resources.

Experience in investigation, forensic interviewing, and working with law enforcement personnel in child abuse and neglect cases.

Experience providing services, support and guidance within the trauma-informed care framework. Excellent facilitation, teaming and mediation skills evidenced by examples of successful work with persons and/or entities having differing backgrounds, beliefs, work practices, etc.

Good computer and keyboarding skills for entering data, using various computer programs, using the internet, intranet and email.

Valid driver's license and access to personal transportation, or other reliable means for city and rural travel. Certification by the State of Wisconsin as a Social Worker. If not certified at the time of application for employment with La Crosse County, must have applied to the State of Wisconsin for a Temporary or Training Certificate and obtain regular Certification within specified time limits.

Must be certified, or willing to obtain certification, as a juvenile intake worker in the State of Wisconsin with powers to take children into physical custody per Chapter 48.

Must be available and willing to participate in on-call rotation, which includes working nights, weekends and holidays on a rotating basis.