Salary: $48,090.00 – $65,437.00 Annually
Location : Appleton, WI
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2302457
Department: DHHS Child Protective Services
Opening Date: 06/08/2023
Typical Work Hours/Shift:: Work hours are generally Monday through Friday between 8 am to 4:30 pm with flexibility to work evenings meet client needs. On call coverage is required for this position.
CORE VALUES
Invested in Serving
Devoted to positively impacting our communities
Better Together
Inspire unity by promoting collaboration, trust and respect
Create Progress
Encourage growth through innovation to advance and succeed
Support Through Compassion
Prioritize one another through communication, inclusion and transparency to bolster our community
Position Purpose
This is a professional position in our Foster Care, Kinship, Respite, and Family unit with primary responsibilities for foster care licensing with the potential to assist in other areas.
Social Work Specialist I-V provide professional social work services to individuals and families, helping them overcome personal, family, health, and economic problems.
Work hours are generally Monday through Friday between 8 am to 4:30 pm with the flexibility to work evenings to meet client needs. On-call coverage is required for this position.
Outagamie County Offers:
- Health, Dental, and Vision options start the 1st of the month following 30 days of employment.
- HSA (Health Savings Account) is available with employee/employer contributions or an FSA (Flexible Savings Account) is available.
- Life Insurance for Full-Time Employees (Paid for by the County)
- Short-term Disability (optional)
- Long-term Disability available for Full-Time Employees (Paid for by the County)
- Vacation, Comp Time, Sick Leave, Paid Holidays up to 12 days
- Continuing Education
- Retirement Options:
- Deferred Comp (Public Sector Retirement Savings Plan)
- Wisconsin Retirement System (retirement plan in which the county pays a portion and the employee pays an amount)
Outagamie County offers Benefit options and paid time off for team members that work 20+ or more hours per week.
Key Responsibilities
The following duties are most critical for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
- Assess reports to determine validity of the report and legal basis for involvement, observing and interviewing family members, and collateral contacts.
- Determines, through interviews, assessments, home visits, investigations, etc., the range of services needed by individuals, families, explaining the services and discussing the client’s rights and responsibilities.
- Recommends services from other resources, arranging for appointments and establishing connections with those providers to meet the clients’ needs.
- Maintains case histories, and completes appropriate paperwork, and data tracking according to department policy while maintaining client confidentiality by following HIPPA and Agency Confidentiality policies.
- Provides court related services including preparing and writing court reports, court conditions, testimony, and other related paperwork.
- Assisting clients in developing inner strengths and maximizing informal supports and resources.
- Foster client’s growth by interpreting attitudes and patterns of behavior; explaining and identifying new options and being strength based in the exchange.
- Monitors case plans and provides feedback to clients and other interested parties on follow-up actions required.
- Attend necessary trainings in association with this position.
- Provides on-call services as assigned.
Education/Certifications/Experience Requirements
- The Social Work Specialist Classification will be as follows:
- Social Work Specialist I: Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or a human services related field
- Social Work Specialist II: Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or a human services related field and an active Wisconsin social work certification.
- Social Work Specialist III: Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or a human services related field and an active Wisconsin social work certification with three years of experience, and 180 hours staff development activities.
- Social Work Specialist IV: Master’s Degree in Social Work and an active Wisconsin social work certification.
- Social Work Specialist V: Master’s Degree in Social Work and one year of experience with active Wisconsin social work certification.
Required or Preferred Skills
- Knowledge of and ability to apply social work principles and methods, including having a basic knowledge of human development, neurodevelopmental science, developmental psychopathology, treatment planning, AODA concerns and treatment, and how to work with vulnerable populations.
- Maintain objectivity and positive outlook while dealing with negative situations using tact and diplomacy while maintaining professionalism.
- Maintain accurate and complete records keeping up with grant reporting needs and agency documentation policies and maintaining confidentiality.
- Work independently making sound timely decisions and having the skill to determine when supervision is necessary.
- Manage time effectively keeping organized and prioritizing tasks in a manner that keeps up with all of the paperwork needs. This includes being punctual, reliable and dependable keeping with the Agencies work hours.
- Manage conflict through the use of motivational interviewing techniques, conflict resolution techniques and to promote open and transparent communication.
- Knowledge of and ability to use computer software and equipment including Outlook, Excel, The Clinical Manager, e-Wisacwis, copy machine, fax and dictation.
- Comply with all safety regulations including having a driver’s license and installing car seats.
- Communicate in English and understand and follow written and oral instructions. This includes having excellent writing skills.
- Ability to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects up to 20 pounds, understanding and utilizing proper body mechanics.
- Must have a valid driver’s license in State of Wisconsin and documentation of car insurance.
- May be required to work extra work hours as required and to perform other duties not normally assigned as required by supervisor/manager.
- Responds to Agencies/Divisions Emergency/Disaster Plan.
OUTAGAMIE 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 ENCOURAGES BOTH PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES AND INCUMBENTS TO DISCUSS POTENTIAL ACCOMMODATIONS WITH THE EMPLOYER.
Outagamie County offers Benefit options and paid time off for team members that work 20+ or more hours per week. Learn more today by visiting: https://www.outagamie.org/government/departments-f-m/human-resources/employee-benefits-booklet
OUTAGAMIE 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 ENCOURAGES BOTH PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES AND INCUMBENTS TO DISCUSS POTENTIAL ACCOMMODATIONS WITH THE EMPLOYER.
OUTAGAMIE COUNTY OFFERS A COMPREHENSIVE AND HIGHLY COMPETITIVE BENEFITS PACKAGE TO ITS EMPLOYEES.
LEVELS OF BENEFITS CAN VARY BASED ON EMPLOYMENT STATUS AND EMPLOYEE GROUP.
Medical Coverage
Outagamie County currently offers eligible employees a Low-Deductible Health Plan and a High Deductible Health Plan with a Health Savings Account (HSA). Each of these plans are available for single or family coverage at affordable rates.
Dental Coverage
Eligible employees may choose either single, limited family, or family coverage.
Vision Coverage
Outagamie County offers single, employee plus one, employee plus children, and family voluntary vision insurance for those that are benefit eligible. Vision insurance coverage provides an opportunity for employees to save money on routine vision exams, contacts, eyeglass frames, and lenses.
Life Insurance
Outagamie County provides group life insurance for full-time employees. The cost of this coverage is paid for in full by the County.
Voluntary Short-Term Disability Insurance
Short-Term Disability pays the employee a portion of his or her income for a specified period of time, as determined by the plan. The Short-Term Disability plan provides coverage for injuries and illnesses that occur outside of work. The premium for this coverage is paid entirely by the employee and is available to active employees that meet the hours threshold requirements.
Long-Term Disability Insurance
All regular, non-union full-time employees are eligible for long-term disability coverage. Premiums are fully paid by the County.
Wisconsin Retirement System
Wisconsin Retirement Program helps provide for financial security during retirement. Monthly annuity payments at retirement are calculated using years of creditable service, average earnings (based on three highest years of earnings), formula factors, age at retirement and selected annuity option.
The retirement plan consists of two parts: an employee-required portion and an employer-required portion. Outagamie County pays the employer portion, and employees are responsible for paying the employee-required portion, which is determined by the state each year. Enrollment is required for eligible employees. Eligibility is determined based on Wisconsin Retirement System plan rules.
Flexible Spending Account Plan
The Flexible Spending Account Plan saves money by allowing the employee to pay for certain medical related expenses and dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis, reducing annual taxable income resulting in Federal, State, Social Security, and Medicare tax savings.
Employee Assistance Program
Outagamie County has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The services offered as part of the County’s plan are a benefit provided at no cost to its employees and their immediate family members to help deal with life’s stresses. EAP consists of caring individuals who are certified counselors. They offer professional support and direction towards resolving problems or concerns. They can also help by referring the employee to another resource if assistance is needed beyond the EAP.
Paid Time Off
Outagamie County offers several paid time off benefits that include: vacation, personal holidays, national holidays, sick leave, bereavement leave and military leave.
Deferred Compensation
Deferred Compensation allows employees to set aside pre-tax earnings toward retirement. Employees can save up to 100% of their compensation, to a maximum of $20,500 annually, or as little as $10.00 per paycheck. The amount deferred reduces year-end state and federal income tax base. All the earnings will accrue tax-deferred until such time as the assets are withdrawn, generally at retirement, termination, or other special circumstances. There is also an after-tax 457 Roth contribution option.
Wellness Program
The Wellness Program promotes health and wellness of employees and their families by providing many services and benefits such as: a fitness facility, learning seminars, ongoing wellness activities, stress seminars, etc.
If you would like to learn more, please click below about benefits.
01
Please describe your experience serving children and families in a child welfare setting.
02
This position requires assessment and critical thinking around placement options for children, please describe your experience in this area.
03
This position requires excellent communication skills. Please describe your communication skills.
Required Question