Do you have a background in social work and the passion to help members of our community? Portage County has a full-time Social Worker position available.

Portage County offers a robust benefit package for this position. Benefits include;

• State of Wisconsin Retirement Plan

• Health insurance- your choice of two health plans- (Health Savings Account associated with the High Deductible Health Plan with a County contribution and a Traditional PPO plan)

• Vacation

• Paid holidays

• Sick leave

• Flexible spending account

• Life insurance- premium paid by the County

• Long term disability insurance- premium paid by the County

• Dental insurance

• 457B Deferred Compensation Plan

This position provides dispositional services to a complex caseload of child welfare cases involving child abuse/neglect, substitute care for children. It also includes services for step parent adoptions and independent living skills training for teens in foster care. It provides counseling/case management service to parents and children/adolescents and services to the Juvenile and Family Courts regarding these clientele.

Primary duties include:

• Provides Child Welfare Services Regarding Child Abuse and Child Neglect.

1. Provides dispositional services in accordance with Chapter 48 Wisconsin Statutes and state department regulations.
2. Completes assessments, court reports, testifies at hearings, and makes recommendations regarding dispositions.
3. Develops, implements, and monitors comprehensive and coordinated case services treatment plans.
4. Consults with agency, school officials, court, law enforcement, District Attorney’s office, public defender, and other assigned attorneys.
5. Files legal petitions and testifies in court.
6. Provides 24-hour juvenile court intake services.
7. Completes necessary documentation in the eWISACWIS computer system.

• Provides Substitute Care Services to Families.

1. Assesses need for substitute care services (foster home, group home, residential center) for children.
2. Evaluates and legally implements appropriate substitute care resources for respective child's treatment needs.
3. Evaluates substitute care during placement period.
4. Provides ongoing counseling and support to the foster parents, natural family, and child during placement.
5. Consults with other professionals regarding substitute care placement developments and refers cases for supervisory consultation at own discretion.

• Completion of Step Parent Adoption Studies.

1. Interviews the family.
2. Completes court reports.
3. Forwards necessary forms to the state.

• General Duties

1. Dictates case narratives and required forms.
2. Attends staff meetings.
3. Attends required training seminars.
4. Performs related duties as assigned by supervisor.
5. Maintains client confidentiality.
6. Completes required agency paperwork and forms.

Education/Experience/Certification:

• Bachelor degree in social work or any other human services field required.
• Certification or eligible for certification in Wisconsin as a social worker preferred.
• Two years experience in the child protective services within the last five years preferred; one year experience in the juvenile court system within the last five years preferred, or Masters of Social Work Degree with an emphasis in Child Welfare.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Knowledge of court policies and the Children's Code (Chapters 48, and 938) and Chapter 767.

Knowledge of specialized social work practices and methods.

Knowledge of advanced counseling theories and techniques.

Knowledge of state Division of Community Services and county procedures.

Knowledge of community resources.

Knowledge of a wide variety of social, emotional, and physical behavior needs.

Ability to communicate clearly in oral and written form.

Ability to respond appropriately and effectively in crisis situation.

Ability to assess client's problems and determine service delivery needs.

Ability to relate to people with a wide variety of service needs.

Ability to relate and work with co-workers and organizations.

Ability to maintain regular, consistent and reliable attendance.

Ability to successfully pass a criminal background check.

Must be a licensed driver and have access to an insured vehicle.

Transport clients in personal vehicle as required.

Must be available for 24-hour on-call.