SOCIAL WORKER - COMMUNITY RESPONSE

Overview

FLSA: Exempt Under supervision, this employee assists clients with environmental and supportive services designed to overcome financial, personal health or family struggles; conducts individual or family assessments to determine services needed; provides agency services when appropriate; and refers clients for other community services when needed. Services to clients may take the form of protective actions in their behalf or on behalf of the community.

The social worker in this position will work alongside an established Community Response Program (CRP). Community Response focuses on preventing child maltreatment and strengthening family functioning. This is achieved by providing families with access to services that families need and assisting them in accessing formal systems and informal resources to meet those needs. This position aims to provide children with safe, stable and nurturing environments through service linkages, case advocacy, connections to both formal and informal resources and skill-building for parents/caregivers. The focus will be on families in La Crosse County who were diverted by child protective services (CPS) following a report of alleged child maltreatment. The intent of this position is to reach families that are not actively involved in the child welfare system in an effort to reduce re-referrals to CPS, strengthen families, and prevent child maltreatment. By intervening before family circumstances rise to the level of threatened or actual maltreatment, risk factors can be addressed, and protective factors promoted to prevent child abuse and neglect.

The successful candidate for this position will be highly creative, demonstrate a skill for relationship-building and effective program coordination. Under the direction of the Community Programs and Prevention Supervisor, the Community Response Social Worker collaborates with law enforcement, school representatives, community partners, residents, and others to provide prevention/early intervention services at the community level. Within this role, the Community Response Social Worker: provides assistance to children, youth, and families; serves as a referral source and liaison to the Department regarding child welfare and service needs; works with others to develop and coordinate neighborhood and community-based resources to strengthen families and communities; develops special projects or initiatives designed to address client or resident needs; acts as a community referral source and resource person.

Essential Leadership Functions

Act with Integrity and Build Trust

• Demonstrate mutual respect, humility, and honesty in all interactions

• Speak up appropriately, even when expressing unpopular viewpoints

• Actively listen and remain open-minded to diverse perspectives

Drive for Results

• Set clear goals and objectives to motivate self and others to achieve outcomes

• Seek new opportunities to improve processes and drive sustainable results

• Hold self and others accountable through consistent evaluation and monitoring

Develop Talent and Effective Teams

• Foster a collaborative environment that encourages knowledge sharing and growth

• Provide mentorship and support to help self and others reach full potential

• Recognize and leverage diverse strengths within self and team

Lead with Vision and Strategy

• Understand and communicate a compelling vision that aligns with organizational goals

• Develop and execute comprehensive strategies to achieve long-term objectives

• Connect daily work to the bigger picture, inspiring self and others to contribute meaningfully

Lead with Paradoxical, Critical, and Agile Thinking

• Navigate complex situations by considering multiple perspectives

• Adapt quickly to changes and uncertainties in the work environment

• Make critical decisions using analytical skills, experience, and input from others

Build and Maintain Effective Relationships

• Communicate and collaborate effectively with stakeholders across the organization

• Influence others through coaching, consulting, and team-minded thinking

• Develop and sustain partnerships that create positive outcomes for all stakeholders

Cultivate Community Engagement and Provide Excellent Service

• Understand and address the needs and concerns of the community

• Incorporate community perspectives into decision-making processes

• Drive initiatives that create positive impacts beyond the organization

Demonstrate Emotional Intelligence

• Show self-awareness and manage emotions effectively in challenging situations

• Seek and respond constructively to feedback, even in the face of setbacks

• Balance empathy with accountability when leading self and working with others

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.

Provides prevention/early intervention services to children, youth and families: meets with families and support networks to develop relationships and build trust; provides preventive early intervention and crisis response as appropriate; connects people to resources; utilizes the discretionary fund and other resources to address the minor emergency needs of clients; interfaces with child protective services, other Human Services departments and community partners as needed.

Engages in collaborative activities with appropriate parties: works with agency representatives and others to identify needs and develop strategies to address them; coordinates services and interventions with other agencies and service providers; identifies gaps and barriers to service delivery.

Performs departmental public relations and liaison duties: interprets the Department's role and responsibilities to community residents and service providers; consults with county workers and others regarding community resources; provides information to the Department, and other stakeholders regarding community needs as appropriate; serves on Department and community committees as directed.

Adheres to Departmental reporting and training requirements: submits quarterly data reports and program documentation as needed; seeks out and participates in appropriate training opportunities.

Explains and discusses options with clients regarding problem solving challenges that arise for them; utilizes both funded programs and other services that are available for individuals in the community.

Makes home visits to assess client's needs and offers the client services and/or program options as applicable.

Provides social services per Wisconsin Statutes, court policies, and/or requirements of the program, state, or federal guidelines.

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. Participates in committees and task forces as assigned.

Testifies in court as necessary or required.

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 (3.08).

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.

Reports to work when scheduled, with minimum use of sick leave. Employee is expected to build up sick leave balance for income protection for unexpected illness.

In this public service position, employee is required to be courteous, cooperative and respectful at all times, with the public and clients. Also establishes and maintains a courteous, cooperative and respectful working relationship with other employees, supervisors, and public officials.

Physical demands: Large percentage of time is spent talking and hearing. Approximately half the time is spent sitting and using near and far vision, low fingering and low (35 lbs.) carrying. A limited amount of time is spent standing, walking, climbing (using feet and legs), reaching, low to medium lifting and carrying. Occasionally transports/carries a child or assists in transferring an adult. Occasionally it is necessary to stoop, kneel, and bend/twist. There is the threat of physical attack or injury from clients in unusual situations. Uses automobile, telephones, copy machines, computer/keyboard, dictating equipment.

Related Job Functions


Assists and provides back up to other Social Workers as necessary or required.

May present public sessions of programs that promote prevention, wellness, or educational information to the general public.

May be required to work nights, weekends, or during community emergencies and/or disasters, when work may vary from normal job responsibilities.

This job description is not intended to encompass every job duty or responsibility but is only illustrative. This position is required to perform other duties as may be assigned or required.

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. Understanding of youth, family and community systems, community resources and their effective use, and department services, policies and practices.

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 and relate to people in a culturally sensitive way.

Ability to work autonomously yet partake in and appropriately use supervision.


Ability to work primarily in a community setting.

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 most effectively achieve program objectives.

Ability to prepare and maintain necessary reports.

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 for entering data related to clients.

For many positions, 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.