Case Manager / Social Worker I/II - Initial Assessment

POSITION SUMMARY: 
This position is responsible for providing child protective services through the intake and initial assessment process for children and families referred to the child welfare system. Duties include assessing reports of alleged child abuse and neglect, conducting safety and family assessments, evaluating risk, completing forensic and family interviews, providing crisis intervention, engaging families, coordinating with law enforcement and community partners, and determining the need for ongoing services or case closure. The position works with children, parents, caregivers, collateral contacts, and service providers to ensure child safety while making timely, objective, and well-documented decisions in accordance with Wisconsin statutes, administrative codes, and agency policy. 
  
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:  
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be required and assigned. 

• Works to engage clients, families, natural supports, and relevant community partners (e.g. schools, courts, healthcare providers) in collaborative problem-solving and service planning.  
• Conducts timely assessments of client needs, including crisis evaluations, and develops goal-oriented, time-limited-service plans.  Engages community resources as needed.
• Supports safety and stability of vulnerable populations by working to protect children, elderly, and at-risk adults, preserve family units, and prevent unnecessary out-of-home placements.
• Advises consumers when services are either not available or inappropriate.
• Explains the consequences of non-compliance with court orders to clients who are involuntarily referred, monitors client utilization of services, and informs the court of consumer's adherence to court orders.
• Coordinates access to services, monitors service delivery and client progress, and terminates services when goals are attained.
• Coordinates services and educates consumers on navigating community resources, avoiding duplication of effort, and ensuring effective use of available resources.
• Maintains comprehensive case records, prepares documentation, and completes required assessments and reports.
• Develops and maintains professional knowledge and skills to enhance the programs and services provided.
• May facilitate treatment and/or other related, indicated services with groups of clients.
• May provide community outreach and education to promote public awareness of available services and support systems.
• May work across supervision areas within Health and Human Services as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES   
This section details the essential competencies required to perform the job effectively, including a mix of technical knowledge, practical skills, and personal attributes. 

• Familiarity with federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, and Wisconsin Statutes applicable to delivery of social services.  
• Knowledge of community resources, alternative care options, public services, and social programs available to individuals and families. 
• Knowledge of human development and behavior, family and group dynamics, and mental, physical and social dysfunctions.
• Ability to provide effective and respectful services to individuals from diverse backgrounds, including demonstrating cultural awareness and sensitivity to the needs of diverse populations.  
• Ability to effectively engage, support, and assist individuals experiencing stressful, emotional, or crisis situations.  
• Knowledge of social work principles, case management practices, interviewing techniques, and supportive counseling methods.  
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare accurate, clear, concise reports, correspondence, case notes, and other documentation. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, families, coworkers, community partners, and the general public. 
• Technical proficiency in the use of relevant software applications, databases, standard office equipment, and other technology tools necessary to perform the duties of the position. 
• Ability to understand and effectively carry out verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to apply ethical judgment and maintain confidentiality regarding case files, reports, and conversations in accordance with open records laws and applicable state and federal laws, regulations, and professional standards. 
• Strong organizational and time management skills, including the ability to prioritize work, meet deadlines, adapt to changing priorities, and perform detailed work accurately with minimal supervision. 

LANGUAGE SKILLS   
This section outlines the communication abilities necessary for effective performance.  These skills reflect the need to interact with the public, colleagues, and other stakeholders in a clear, professional, and effective manner. 

• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing, with a wide range of individuals, including the public, colleagues, and supervisors.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply information from complex documents such as laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and reports.
• Ability to engage with the public, handle inquiries, resolve conflicts, and build positive relationships with a diverse population.
• Ability to explain complex or technical information in a clear, understandable manner.
• Ability to listen actively and accurately understand verbal instructions or concerns.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS 

• Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations and interpret numerical information related to assessments, documentation, reports, and service planning. 

REASONING ABILITY 
This section outlines the cognitive skills required to perform the job effectively.  This includes the ability to apply logic, make decisions, solve problems, and understand complex information.  

• Ability to identify and define problems, collect and evaluate information, establish facts, exercise sound professional judgment, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to make decisions that are sound, well-informed, and timely, even in stressful situations.
• Ability to analyze situations, consider various perspectives, anticipate potential issues, and make recommendations or decisions based on logical reasoning.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex information, including Department, County, State, and federal laws, regulations, policies and procedures; recognize patterns; and understand the implications of actions or decisions.
• Ability to think conceptually and understand the relationships between ideas that are not immediately obvious.

PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: 
The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions or as otherwise required by law.  Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee’s supervisor.   

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly involves sitting, frequently involves standing and performing fine motor skills and repetitive motions, and occasionally involves walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching above shoulder level or below the waist.
• Visual ability to perform tasks such as reading documents, operating vehicles, using computer screens, or working with detailed data.
• Ability to communicate and exchange information effectively with others, with or without reasonable accommodation.  

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

• Work settings may include office environments, clients' and service providers' homes, detention centers, correctional facilities, treatment and residential facilities, health care centers, schools, courts, remote locations, County work sites, and various community locations.
• Frequent travel may involve exposure to inclement weather conditions, unsanitary conditions in homes, communicable illnesses and diseases and unsafe environments.
• May involve interaction with individuals who are hostile, aggressive, abusive or violent, posing potentially threatening conditions.
• Ability to work the allocated hours of the position, including an on-call rotation for after normal business hours as assigned, per division.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
 
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS 
  
Case Manager 

• Bachelor's degree in psychology, sociology, criminal justice, or other human service program. 
• Previous practical experience preferred.
• Appointment is conditional upon successful completion of a caregiver and criminal background check.

Social Worker I  

• Bachelor's degree in social work or closely related field.
• State of Wisconsin Social Worker Certification.
• Additional experience, training, or certifications may be required for the specific Division assigned.
• Appointment is conditional upon successful completion of a caregiver and criminal background check.

Social Worker II  

• Bachelor's degree in social work or closely related field.
• State of Wisconsin Social Worker Certification.
• Additional experience, training, or certifications may be required for the specific Division assigned.
• Two (2) years’ previous experience as a Social Worker.
• Appointment is conditional upon successful completion of a caregiver and criminal background check.