Human Services Professional (Family Services Unit)

Under the general direction of the Family Services Supervisor, provides client assessment and case management service to clients in the area of child welfare and Juvenile Court. Performs related duties as required.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Completes an individualized client and family needs assessment on cases referred for services, including problem identification, eligibility determination and plan development, implementation and monitoring.

Assesses level and type of dysfunction in families and recommends appropriate services.

Functions as a member of a team to develop hypothesis, intervention and predictions to treat dysfunctional and high-risk families.

Provides counseling, case management and coordinative services to assist clients in gaining and retaining access to services necessary to maximize their level of functioning.

Makes recommendations to the Court on disposition of child protection and juvenile delinquency charges.

Writes court reports, testifies in Court and follows up on court-ordered services.

Takes children into custody as necessary under Chapter 48 and Chapter 938.

Supervises juveniles placed on formal court supervision or Deferred Prosecution Agreements. Supervises ongoing Child Protective Services (CPS) cases on formal court supervision or Informal Dispositional Agreements.

Completes assessments for the Court as appropriate and follows up on court-ordered services.

Provides voluntary services to children and families, as well as participates in Coordinated Services Teams and Comprehensive Community Services programs.

Conducts home studies for kinship care.

Assists other Agency staff in determining appropriateness of specialized services to supplement a client case plan.

Completes preliminary authorizations for purchased services provided on behalf of assigned cases.

Locates and assists in the development, recruitment, licensing or certification of resources necessary to implement case plans.

Refers or coordinates client case plan with other agencies providing services to meet client needs.

Provides community education, consultation, and intervention regarding Department services.

Maintains case records containing pertinent, accurate and current information; prepares correspondence, reports and other records as required.

Performs crisis on-call duty.

It is unlikely an employee will perform all the duties listed on a regular basis, nor is the list exhaustive in the sense it covers all the duties an employee may be required to perform. The examples are merely indicative, not restrictive.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Provides direction to professional and paraprofessional staff.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor's Degree in Social Work or a related human services field from an accredited college or university. At least two years of experience in child protective services ongoing case management, youth justice, mental health or AODA; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Language Skills

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, consumers and the general public. Ability to communicate tactfully, clearly, concisely, and accurately with clients.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Computer Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of client management systems; Internet; spreadsheet and word processing software.

Certificates, Licenses and Registrations

State of Wisconsin Juvenile Intake Certification within 6 months of hire required, unless exempt.

Child Welfare Professional Development Plan completed within two years of hire required, unless exempt.

Valid driver’s license and documentation of car insurance.

Access to reliable transportation.

Other Skills and Abilities

Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in the application and interpretation of Department policies and regulations.

Knowledge of and ability to apply social work principles and methods, including having basic knowledge of human development, conflict resolution techniques, community based human services delivery system, and resources available in the community.

Knowledge and understanding of federal laws, State Statutes, administrative rules, and understanding of programs and services available.

Ability to satisfactorily perform the following functions or demonstrate the following skills including: establish therapeutic relationship with clients; make independent timely decisions; establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, co-workers, other agencies, and the public; and provide complex services in accordance with principles common to the specialty of the employee.

Ability to write concise assessments and court reports and meet deadlines for paperwork and court work. Ability to initiate and utilize relationships to effect change.

Ability to effectively use materials from other disciplines, such as human development, medical, and law enforcement, to work with complex social work situations.

Demonstrates the ability to interpret, support, and uphold the standards and ethics and boundaries of the social work profession.

Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise sound judgement in confrontational and stressful situations, and follow instructions to complete tasks and to work closely with the supervisor and others.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is frequently required to walk, often requiring walking at off-site locations which may include stairs, uneven surfaces, and slippery surfaces. The employee is occasionally required to taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and must be able to occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here 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.

The noise level in the office environment is usually quiet. The position requires travel to and work in off-site locations where the noise level may become loud. Due to community-based setting of work, the environment and exposure to hazard may vary.