Social Worker (Youth Justice)

Waukesha County's Department of Health & Human Services is recruiting for a talented Social Worker to join its Youth Justice on-going unit. The purpose of Adolescent and Family Services’ is to serve individuals and families of Waukesha County by providing quality and professional services. We strive to use the many formal and informal supports within families and our community to keep children in their home whenever safely possible. We value collaboration and coordination with the families we serve, community professionals, and within our department to implement effective prevention and intervention strategies. We are committed to providing the appropriate level of intervention and protection, while encouraging youth and families to utilize their strengths toward independence and self-sufficiency whenever possible. While adhering to legal mandates, our work will be conducted in an atmosphere of respect, compassion, and confidentiality.  
 
Youth Justice Social Workers in the Adolescent and Family Division serve youth who have been referred for delinquent acts, truancy, and uncontrollability. Youth Justice Social Workers provide court monitoring, family work, risk and needs assessments, and case planning to youth and families on an ongoing basis. Here are some key values associated with youth justice on-going work:

1. Rehabilitation: The primary goal of the youth justice system, in addition to maintaining community safety, are skill development, restorative practices, and providing the resources necessary to build competencies to enable success in community settings. Youth Justice on-going services aim to identify the needs of the youth and provide appropriate interventions, such as counseling, education, or community service, to address underlying issues that may have contributed to their involvement in delinquent behavior.  
2. Best interests of the child: Youth Justice services prioritize the welfare and best interests of the youth. This involves considering factors such as the youth's age, developmental stage, family circumstances, and any special needs or vulnerabilities they may have.
3. Prevention of future delinquency: Youth Justice services focus on identifying risk factors and protective factors associated with the youth's behavior through the use of the Youth Assessment and Screening Instrument (YASI). The aim is to determine risk level, develop strategies to prevent future delinquent behavior and promote positive youth development.
4. Community safety: While rehabilitation is a central focus, Youth Justice services also focus on public safety. Interventions and dispositions are tailored not only to address the needs of the youth but also to protect the community from potential harm.
5. Accountability: Although the emphasis is on rehabilitation, youth are held accountable for their actions. Youth Justice services may involve discussions and services with and for youth about the consequences of their behavior and the importance of taking responsibility for their actions.

• Family Assessments/Engagement                                  
•  Safety Assessments/Interventions    
•  Counseling/Interventions                                                
•  Child Abuse/Neglect Assessments
•  Crisis Intervention                                                            
•  Case Documentation in eWiSACWIS
•  School Collaboration/Coordination/Intervention              
•  Referral and Collaboration with Providers and Community Resources
•  Written and Verbal Court presentation                            
•  Case Management/Service Coordination                        
•  Youth Assessment and Screening Instrument 
•  Family First Act/Family Find Initiative         

Under supervision, to perform professional work involving the delivery of social work services to individuals and families in need of counseling and referral services; and to perform other duties as required.  

1. Makes initial contact with and receives referrals of clients with a variety of problems which require social work assessment and/or intervention.  
2. Conducts assessments of client needs through interviews, collateral contacts and other investigations, develops a casework plan with clients, and performs agreed-upon and necessary casework services.  
3. Maintains a caseload involving clients with personal, family, or socio-economic problems and attends to the related protection and safety needs.  
4. Counsels, mediates, and provides intervention and case management services, coordinating the various social, community, and other services received by the clients.
5. Informs clients of available programs and services to meet their individual needs, and encourages participation in the most appropriate activities; or ensures participation in court-mandated services.
6. Initiates and maintains contacts with the courts, schools, mental health, and community agencies to assist individuals and families in need of a variety of human services.  
7. Attends and participates in staff development programs, including in-service training, staff meetings, and professional seminars.
8. Provides consultation to other social work personnel and para-professionals.
9. Serves as a representative of the department to interested individuals, professionals, and community groups.
10. Acts as a department liaison, providing casework direction and supervision to providers of contracted services.
11. Prepares social histories and family assessments, reviews results and recommendations with supervisor and makes recommendations concerning case dispositions, and testifies at court and administrative hearings as required.  
12. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with clients, families, caregivers, service providers, volunteers, community agencies, and the general public.  
13. Prepares and presents oral and written reports.  
14. Maintains detailed case records, and develops and prepares statistical reports as required.
15. Performs emergency government duties as assigned in event of Waukesha County Emergency Government declaration.  
16. Performs other duties as required.  
    
    

QUALIFICATIONS
Essential Knowledge and Abilities

1. Considerable knowledge of social work principles and methods.  
2. Considerable knowledge of financial, health, mental health, and community resources. 
3. Considerable knowledge of the federal, state, and local rules, regulations, and statutes governing the delivery of human services.
4. Considerable knowledge of social problems and family systems concerns such as family disorganization, addiction, domestic violence, abuse and neglect, discrimination, disability, poverty, unemployment, aging; and their effect on the individual and their families.  
5. Considerable knowledge of human behavior, dynamics of groups and families, interpersonal relations, and social interaction.
6. Considerable knowledge of trauma informed care principles and the impact of wellness/health on cognitive functioning.
7. Working knowledge of social welfare programs, and the role of public human services agencies in providing services.
8. Working knowledge of evidence-based practices and ability to integrate into case planning and practice.
9. Working knowledge of mediation and dispute resolution skills.
10. Working knowledge of confidentiality statutes and requirements, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996.  
11. Working knowledge of computerized department program software, including electronic health record, internet access, database, spreadsheet, and word processing programs.
12. Ability to provide social treatment to clients with problems.
13. Ability to interpret human services programs and explain programs and services available to clients, families, and stakeholders.
14. Ability to respond appropriately in a crisis situation and provide skilled intervention to clients.   
15. Ability to propose alternate dispute resolutions in high-conflict situations.
16. Ability to develop appropriate plan of services and to implement the plan with individual clients and their families.  
17. Ability to participate in multi-disciplinary decision making and services coordination as appropriate.  
18. Ability to utilize word processing, database, and spreadsheet programs.
19. Ability to prepare, present, and maintain accurate records and reports.  
20. Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.  
21. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, families, caregivers, service providers, volunteers, community agencies, and the general public.
22. Ability to effectively interact with sensitivity with persons from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, ethnic, and professional backgrounds, and persons of all ages and lifestyles.
23. Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work effectively.

You must meet these minimum Training and Experience requirements:

1. a. A bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university in sociology, social work, psychology, or a closely related field.
   OR
   b. A bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university plus one (1) year of professional social work experience.
2. Social work certification from the State of Wisconsin within six months of employment

About Us:
Waukesha County prides itself on operating in a business-like manner and is recognized as a leader delivering high quality services with competence and skill. With our vision of "Leading the Way", we value teamwork and collaboration, ethics and diversity, communication, efficiency and cost savings, innovation, and the wellbeing of our staff and the citizens we serve. Employees are provided professional development opportunities and encouragement to learn and practice continuous improvement and LEAN principles as we regularly ask ourselves "Is there a better way?"

WCDHHS Mission/Vision/Values: 
We enhance quality of life while assuring critical needs are met. The vision of Waukesha County Department of Health and Human Services is a connected, resilient community where everyone thrives. We achieve this though values that include Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, Engaged Workforce, Innovation, and Self-Determination.  

Location:
Located in the City of Waukesha, our campus offers an on-site café and fitness center, free parking, and easy access to interstate highway systems. Waukesha County offers a perfect blend of urban and rural living where one can enjoy the benefits of quiet rural lake communities or opt for nearby attractions that the greater Milwaukee area offers including vast beach and park systems, public markets, performing arts, music festivals, and sports including the Milwaukee Admirals, Brewers, Bucks, Wave, Marquette University Golden Eagles and the UW-Milwaukee Panthers Basketball programs.
 
EEO/AA:
Waukesha County is committed to equal opportunity and nondiscrimination in employment and adheres to all Federal, State and County Equal Employment Opportunity laws, policies, plans, rules, regulations and ordinances. The County recognizes and accepts its important leadership role in providing for equal employment/service opportunities for minorities, women, and persons with disabilities. It is the express policy of Waukesha County to promote equal employment opportunity among all who are employed by Waukesha County and who seek employment with Waukesha County.