Social Worker (Children With Special Needs)

Description

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.

Example of Duties

• Makes initial contact with and receives referrals of clients with a variety of problems which require social work assessment and/or intervention.
• 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.
• Maintains a caseload involving clients with personal, family, or socio-economic problems and attends to the related protection and safety needs.
• Counsels and provides intervention and case management services, coordinating the various social, community, and other services received by the clients.
• 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.
• 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.
• Attends and participates in staff development programs, including in-service training, staff meetings, and professional seminars.
• Provides consultation to other social work personnel and para-professionals.
• Serves as a representative of the department to interested individuals, professionals, and community groups.
• Acts as a department liaison, providing casework direction and supervision to providers of contracted services.
• 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.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with clients, families, caregivers, service providers, volunteers, community agencies, and the public.
• Prepares and presents oral and written reports.
• Maintains detailed case records, and develops and prepares statistical reports as required.
• Performs emergency government duties as assigned in event of Waukesha County Emergency Government declaration.
• Performs other duties as required.
  

QUALIFICATIONS
Essential Knowledge and Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of social work principles and methods.
• Considerable knowledge of financial, health, mental health, and community resources.
• Considerable knowledge of the federal, state, and local rules, regulations, and statutes governing the delivery of human services.
• Considerable knowledge of social problems such as family disorganization, domestic violence, abuse and neglect, discrimination, disability, poverty, unemployment, aging; and their effect on the individual and their families.
• Considerable knowledge of human behavior, dynamics of groups and families, interpersonal relations, and social interaction.
• Working knowledge of social welfare programs, and the role of public human services agencies in providing services.
• Working knowledge of evidence-based practices and ability to integrate into case planning and practice.
• Working knowledge of confidentiality statutes and requirements, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996.
• Working knowledge of computerized department program software, including electronic health record, Internet access, and database, spreadsheet, and word processing programs.
• Ability to provide social treatment to clients with problems.
• Ability to interpret human services programs and explain programs and services available to clients, families, and stakeholders.
• Ability to respond appropriately in a crisis situation and provide skilled intervention to clients with severe problems.
• Ability to develop appropriate plan of services and to implement the plan with individual clients and their families.
• Ability to participate in multi-disciplinary decision making and services coordination as appropriate.
• Ability to utilize word processing, database, and spreadsheet programs.
• Ability to prepare, present, and maintain accurate records and reports.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, families, caregivers, services providers, volunteers, community agencies, and the general public.
• 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.
• Ability to plan and organize work effectively.

Minimum Qualifications

You must meet these minimum Training and Experience requirements:

• 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 with at least four courses in sociology, social work, or psychology, plus one year of professional social work experience.
• Social work certification from the State of Wisconsin within six months of employment.

Supplemental Information

General Unit Description:
Social Work staff in the Children with Special Needs Unit work with children who have been diagnosed with a variety of physical, developmental or mental health disabilities, and their families. The Children’s Long-Term Support (CLTS) waiver provides financial assistance for goods and services necessary to keep these children safely in a home/community setting. This position will require staff to know the CLTS Waiver rules and regulations and Medicaid Guidelines. It will also require an interest in learning about a variety of disabilities and the supports necessary to help caregivers maintain their child at home. Some work may be involved with children in an alternate care setting. Familiarity and/or proficiency with Chapter 938 & 48, and ability to navigate eWISACWIS would be preferred. Previous work experience handling crisis situations is desired. The ability to multitask and to be highly organized is an advantage. This position requires the ability for one to access an array of county and community services for clients.

Work Schedule:
40-hour workweek. Some evening hours required, reflecting the need to accommodate families’ schedules. Generally, M–F, 8:00a.m. – 4:30p.m., with scheduling flexibility because of evening hours.

Work Assignment Requirements:
This work assignment requires current social work certification from the State of Wisconsin upon hire.

Waukesha County's pay plans, group insurance programs, and other benefit policies comprise a package that is highly competitive and satisfies the needs of its employees. This is intended to give only a brief summary of the employee benefit package. Additional information will be provided at the time of hire. Benefits for part-time positions are pro-rated.

Vacation
2-weeks 1 – 2 years of service
3-weeks 3 – 9 years of service
4-weeks 10 – 16 years of service
5-weeks 17 or more years of service

Holidays
9 paid holidaysNew Year's DayMemorial DayIndependence DayLabor DayThanksgiving dayThe Day after ThanksgivingChristmas EveChristmas DayNew Year's Eve Day
Floating Holidays
2 paid floating holidays earned on February 1 and June 1

Sick Leave
12-days (96-hours) of sick leave granted immediately upon hire. Thereafter, 1-day earned per month, up to a maximum of 120-days

Funeral Leave
Up to 24-hours of leave with pay to attend the funeral of an immediate family member

Health Insurance
County pays 85% of premium and employee contributes 15% of the premium

Health Savings Account
Pre-tax savings account that can be used for qualifying medical expenses (e.g. office visit fees, co-pays, prescriptions, vision and dental). County contributes to health savings account based on HRA completion- $2,250 for family plan and $1,125 for single plan

Onsite Health and Wellness Clinic
Available to individuals who are enrolled in the County's health insurance plan including employees, spouses, and children ages 2+. Preventive care services are free. All dispensed prescriptions are $2. Dispensed available ACA preventative medications are $0 cost. Non-preventative care visits are $30. Physical therapy is $25 per visit. Clinic staffed with MD and Physician Assistant, Physical Therapists, and Health Coaches

Dental Insurance
Choice of two dental plans. Coverage begins on the first day of the month following 6-months of employment

Vision Insurance
Coverage begins on the first day of the month following 60-days of employment

Employee Wellness Activities & Program/Fitness Center
24/7 access to a wealth of health tools and information on the wellness portal. On-going education programs, fitness challenges and classes. On-site fitness center

Retirement Pension
As a full-time employee, you will automatically be enrolled in the Wisconsin Retirement System. This pension is administered by the State of Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds. You are required to pay the employee's share of contributions to the fund, while Waukesha County contributes the employer's share. Employees are vested in their portion of contributions immediately and after five years of creditable service for the employer contribution. To view employee/employer contribution rates, visit Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds' website and type in WRS Contribution Rates in the search box.

Part time employees are enrolled and required to pay the employee's share of contributions after working 1,200 hours of work in any 12-month period

457 Deferred Compensation
Optional program used to supplement retirement income. Pre-tax and Roth options available

Roth IRA
Optional post-tax program used to supplement retirement income

Life Insurance
Automatic coverage in life insurance at no cost to employee. Additional coverage for spouse and dependents available at the employee's expense

Dependent Care Reimbursement
Optional pre-tax account used for child and elder/care expenses

Retirement Health Savings Plan
Automatic enrollment in a retirement health savings plan. County makes contributions on behalf of employee

Long-term Disability Insurance
Automatic coverage in long-term disability. County pays 100% of monthly premiums

Employee Assistance Program
Voluntary program that offers free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services to employees and their family members who have personal and/or work-related problems. Unlimited access to a highly informative website with articles and tools to support you in a wide variety of your work/life needs

Tuition Reimbursement
Financial assistance for attending Job-related classes

Employee Discount Programs

• Dell products
• Cell service through US Cellular, AT&T Wireless, Sprint Wireless, Verizon
• Special licensing for a copy of Microsoft Office for home use

Pay for Performance
Employees are eligible for performance based merit awards with exceptional and commendable performance ratings