Social Worker – Substance Abuse Professional
Calling all Social Workers!
Are you passionate about serving your community and eager to grow in a supportive environment? Join La Crosse County and take the next step in your career.
Embrace a full-time position with a work schedule that allows for work-life balance. We are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive work environment and offer the opportunity to become part of an organization that values all team members and respects diversity.
This entry level Social Worker position assists clients with environmental and supportive services designed to overcome financial, personal health or family problems. The primary job duties of the Social Worker – ISRS – Substance Abuse Professional is to: provide AODA assessment and/or counseling, conduct individual or family assessment to determine services needed, provide agency services when appropriate, refer clients for other community services when needed, provide short-term crisis case management services, facilitate AODA groups in the La Crosse County jail, and work collectively with other departments within La Crosse County to provide access to person-centered mental health and substance abuse services. Occasionally, services to clients may take the form of protective actions in their behalf or on behalf of the community.
Salary Range: $57,283 – $73,653
We offer:
A supportive, collaborative, inclusive, and diverse workforce.
Ample opportunities for career learning, development, and growth.
A culture of respect, teamwork, honesty, and integrity.
The chance to serve your community in a purposeful and meaningful way.
Flexibility with generous paid time-off benefits.
In addition, we provide excellent benefits, including:
The Wisconsin Retirement System
Great health insurance
Comprehensive dental coverage
Life insurance with disability options
Essential Job Functions
Demonstrates self-leadership, seeks out opportunities for personal growth and development, accepts feedback and demonstrates ability to learn and apply.
Shares ideas and demonstrates respect, humility, honesty, and open-minded thinking.
Demonstrates flexibility, acceptance of change, and emotional intelligence.
Takes initiative and demonstrates the ability to think critically and strategically.
Participates as a contributing member of the team and brings authentic self to discussions regarding all aspects of the work.
Demonstrates ability to build and maintain effective relationships.
Contributes positively to an inclusive workplace.
Provides social services per Wisconsin Statutes, court policies, and/or requirements of the program, state, or federal guidelines.
Work with a variety of funding sources and programs which include La Crosse Outpatient Clinic, Comprehensive Community Services, Medical Assistance and Social Security.
Provides AODA Assessment and/or counseling within the La Crosse County Outpatient Clinic and CCS programs.
Facilitates group AODA meetings within the La Crosse County Jail.
Accepts requests and referrals for agency services.
Conducts thorough assessments through interviews, home visits and collateral investigations to determine the range of services needed by these individuals and their families for preventative, remedial or rehabilitative services.
Explains the scope of the agency’s services and discusses the client’s rights and responsibilities in relation to the use of such services.
Arranges or provides for appropriate social services for clients based on assessments of needs.
Conducts regular case evaluations and develops and updates service plans accordingly.
Maintains case records containing pertinent, accurate and current information.
Prepares correspondence, reports and other records as required.
Fully completes required documentation in a timely fashion and in accordance with program requirements.
Coordinates or participates in care conferences, committees, and task forces as assigned.
Provides Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (AODA) intake, evaluation, individual/group/family counseling, and service coordination to those with substance abuse issues.
Provides case management to individuals with dual diagnosis who are under a mental health or AODA commitment.
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.
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.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
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.
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 achieve program objectives effectively.
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.
Training, Experience and Other Requirements
Requires 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).
Strong preference for minimum of one year of experience working with the same population of clients that are served by the unit in which the vacancy occurs, and familiarity with community resources available to them.
Requires basic computer keyboarding skills.
Must have valid driver’s license and access to personal transportation, or other reliable means for city and rural travel.
Requires 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.
Requires experience in direct counseling of persons with substance abuse issues, including assessment, diagnosis, and implementation of treatment services.
Must be currently certified as a Substance Abuse Counselor/Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor. Persons certified as Substance Abuse Counselor in Training may be considered, but if hired must obtain certification as Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor within three (3) years of hire.
Requires experience and knowledge in motivational interviewing, person-centered planning, and service delivery within recovery model.
Must complete provided MH/AODA Functional Screen training within 90 days of employment.
Deadline Note: