Lead Child Welfare Professional

Summary

This role serves as a critical link between unit staff and department leadership, providing day-to-day peer leadership, advanced guidance, and administrative support within the Child Protective Services (CPS) and Youth Justice (YJ) divisions. Under the general direction of the Social Work Supervisor, this position carries a modified (reduced) caseload while assisting with training, peer mentoring, quality assurance auditing, and case consultation. This role acts as a subject matter expert, assisting in the onboarding of new staff and stepping in to provide backup coverage or crisis support during complex, high-risk investigations or court proceedings.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily and in a timely manner. The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all inclusive. Other duties may be required or assigned.

Peer Leadership and Onboarding

Act as a peer mentor and primary point of contact for frontline Social Workers and Child Welfare Professionals on complex case dynamics, policy interpretation, and state standards.

Coordinate and deliver hands-on orientation, technical training, and shadowing opportunities for newly hired unit personnel.

Assist the Social Work Supervisor in monitoring daily workflows, reviewing incoming referrals, and recommending equitable case distributions based on staff experience and capacity.

Lead regular peer-to-peer case reviews and coordinate staff wellness check-ins to actively address and mitigate secondary traumatic stress and burnout.

Quality Assurance and Technical Support

Conduct routine database audits within the unit to ensure data integrity, timely documentation, and compliance with state and federal funding guidelines.

Assist in developing and updating internal standardized templates, job aids, and reference guides to streamline unit workflows and eliminate administrative redundancies.

Case Management and Crisis Intervention

Maintain a reduced caseload of highly complex, high-profile, or specialized cases requiring advanced skills.

Provide direct, on-scene backup support to staff during high-liability, volatile, or emotionally charged investigations and safety plan implementations.

Serve on the rotating emergency on-call schedule and provide advanced advisory support to on-call staff during critical incidents outside of standard business hours.

System Coordination and Liaison

Represent the agency in multi-disciplinary teams (MDT), and other regional public safety or social service coalitions.

Step in to temporarily manage unit operations and coordinate immediate emergency safety logistics in the temporary absence of the Social Work Supervisor.

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

Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Psychology, or a highly related human services discipline required.

Minimum of three years of progressive professional experience in child protective services, juvenile justice, or a closely related high-liability human services system.

Certified or Licensed Social Worker status through the State of Wisconsin is preferred.

Possession of a valid Wisconsin Drivers License with an acceptable driving record.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Deep working knowledge of Wisconsin Childrens and Juvenile Justice Codes (Chapters 48 and 938), state administrative standards, and eWiSACWIS software.

Demonstrated ability to provide calm, trauma-informed guidance and peer leadership during highly stressful, volatile, or crisis-level situations.

Excellent peer coaching, instruction, and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex regulations into clear instructions.

Superior technical writing skills with a proven track record of constructing legally sound court documents and case plans.

Technological Skills

High proficiency in a Windows environment utilizing the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).

Advanced user status in state-mandated social services reporting systems and county financial databases.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described herein 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 executing daily duties, the employee is regularly required to sit at a desk, talk to staff, hear public inquiries, and view digital displays. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk across county office spaces, and use hands to manage paperwork or operate computing machinery. The position requires routine travel; the employee must be capable of operating a motor vehicle safely across variable seasonal weather patterns to attend regional panels, conduct home visits, or respond to emergency scenes. The employee must occasionally stoop, kneel, or bend, and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds (such as case files or field supplies).

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described herein 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.

Work is primarily performed in a standard, climate-controlled office environment with a moderate noise level, subject to frequent desk distractions and internal conferences. The position introduces unique secondary field exposure, including travel into unmonitored home environments, courtrooms, or secure detention facilities that may involve contact with highly stressed, agitated, or volatile individuals. Strict adherence to department safety and field security protocols is required.

Compensation details: 29.11-34.24 Hourly Wage

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