Social Worker
Responsible for providing public protection to children, youth and families, as well as the public
through case management services within the Child & Youth Services Unit of Richland County
Health & Human Services. Perform social work duties to ensure safety of children, community,
and promote the wellbeing of families through child protection, youth justice and child welfare
practice.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or
all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
• Perform case management. Duties include home visits; client contacts (home, jail,
school); provider meetings; coordinating visits; developing and monitoring protective and
safety plans; service referrals; drug testing; coordination and communication with
professional partners; and review of collateral documentation such as medical records,
case plans, and law enforcement reports. Ensure children are in the least restrictive
setting.
• Perform initial assessments. Duties include responses with law enforcement; assessing
safety; taking custody when necessary; confrontational and hostile client contacts;
forensic interviewing; review of medical or forensic documentation including images,
videos and graphic disclosures of abuse or neglect.
• Prepare for and participate in court hearings. Duties include document preparation,
hearings, testimony, and follow-up to receive court orders or filings.
• Prepare, file and upload into database case documentation.
• Transport clients for appointments and out of home contacts. Travel to home visits.
• Perform Youth Justice activities including YASI screening, YES Program participation,
monitoring conditions, client contacts and supervision, and service referrals.
• Conduct home studies including kinship, licensing, and stepparent adoptions.
• Provide mentoring to new staff and interns.
• Maintain community connections and family relationships for children and youth when
serving families.
• Advocate for youth and their families who are being served.
• Assess family needs through evidence-based programs, utilization of mandatory
statutes, standards and practice guidelines to refer for needed services.
• Represents Richland County Health and Human Services to the community at large
through professional interaction, public speaking, media presentations, and participation
in community advisory groups.
• Comply with applicable federal and state laws, administrative rules, established agency
procedures and accepted professional standards.
• Participate in on-going training, maintaining contemporary knowledge to ensure
compliance with federal and state regulations.
• Maintain the confidentiality of client information and protected health information as
required by State and Federal regulations, including the Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability (HIPAA) Act.
• Maintain current knowledge of program requirements and best practices and participate
in continuing education opportunities.
• Participate in 24-hour emergency services coverage rotation. Respond to safety
concerns and crisis situations in a manner consistent with the on-call policy and in
coordination with law enforcement and other emergency service partners when serving
on-call duties.
• Participate in committees, trainings and meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned or apparent.
Minimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions
Bachelor’s degree in social work, Human Services, or relevant field with one-year relevant
experience; or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent
knowledge, skills, and abilities. Valid Driver’s License required. Ability to acquire Wisconsin
Social Worker Certification.
Physical and Mental Abilities Required to Perform Essential Job Functions
Language Ability and Interpersonal Communications
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, and have strong positive
customer service skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws, administrative rules, established agency
procedures and accepted professional standards.
• Knowledge of human and child development, child protective services, and youth justice.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply regulations, laws and policies.
• Experience and skill with computer data entry.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office software.
• Ability to prepare reports and records.
• Ability to be available on-call 24/7,
• Ability to work under limited supervision with general autonomy in determining how
objectives are achieved.
• Ability to use considerable analytical ability to select, evaluate and interpret data from
several sources including interpretation of guidelines, policies and procedures.
Physical Requirements
• Ability to exert moderate physical effort in sedentary to light work, involving stooping,
kneeling, and crouching. Ability to handle, finger, and feel. Ability to lift, carry, push, and
pull.
Working Conditions
• Work is performed in an office, community settings, and client residences. Headaches,
eyestrain, and other related occupational hazards reflect the most common potential for
injury.
• Work is light duty and sedentary with the ability to lift, carry or push up to 20 pounds.
• This position may be occasionally exposed to mental effort and stress as well as angry
or confused persons and offensive language.
• This position frequently performs work under high attention to detail and deadlines.
Special Requirement
As a post-offer pre-employment condition, a criminal background check must be completed and
passed. Richland County may disqualify an applicant if the position’s responsibilities are
substantially related to the applicant’s criminal history. Wisconsin’s Fair Employment Law,
s.111.31-111.395, Wis. Stats., prohibits discrimination because of an arrest or conviction record.
Management reserves the right to make employment contingent upon the successful completion
of the background check. The cost of the background check will be covered by Richland
County.
Richland County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with
disabilities and encourage both prospective and current employees to discuss potential
accommodations with the employer.
Deadline Note: