Social Worker

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position: Social Worker Department: Health and Human Services

Pay Grade: 11 FLSA Status: Exempt
Direct Supervisor: Social Services Manager Publish Date: September 2024

Purpose of Position:

The Social Worker in this position will be assigned work in the Social Services unit of Buffalo County Department of
Health and Human Services. Duties are assigned based on agency need, worker experience, and worker qualifications.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

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

• Provides case management services to individuals experiencing mental health concerns, substance abuse

concerns, children with long term support waiver needs, youth justice/delinquents, child welfare, child protection
services for families, Adult Protection and Elder Abuse, Guardianships, WATTS, and Protective Placements.
Case management services include:

o Assess eligibility, complete functional screens, complete initial assessments, prepare applications, and
provide ongoing case management services for clients in programs such as Comprehensive Community
Services (CCS), Community Support Program (CSP) ,Children’s Community Options Program (CCOP),
Community Recovery Services (CRS), Children’s Long Term Support Waiver (CLTS-W), Youth Justice,
Child Welfare, Child Protection, , Adult Protection, Elder Abuse Investigations and Services, Protective
Placements, WATTS Reviews, and Guardianships.

o Assessing service needs, including case management and plans. Arranging, authorizing, and monitoring
services including the client’s progress and the need to increase or decrease services.

o Establishing goals and outcomes with the client, evaluating the effectiveness of services provided, and
determining with the client when it is appropriate to discharge from services.

o Completing BCDHHS internal paperwork needed for services including forms such as Financial
Information Forms, Monthly Billing Forms, etc.

o Make client contacts as dictated by the programs listed above. All case documentation shall be completed
within the time frame required by the specified program.

• Arranges service with the most appropriate provider. This includes contracting with new providers and/or setting

up services through existing contracted providers to coordinate the best possible outcome for the client.

• Refers all clients potentially eligible for financial or medical assistance to the Economic Support Specialist in the

Western Region for Economic Assistance Consortium (WREA) and/or Disability Benefit Specialist in the Aging
and Disability Resource Center (ADRC). He/she will continue to work with the WREA Consortium/ADRC to verify
financial eligibility and to verify cost shares and other programs that assist the client in funding.

• Refers all clients to other potential/collaborative services available, as appropriate. Examples of the services that

may be appropriate are Women, Infant and Children (WIC), Public Health, Children with Special Health Care
Needs, SSI, Badger Care, Day Care Assistance, Children’s Waiver, etc.

• Works closely with Law Enforcement, District Attorney Office, Corporation Counsel, Circuit Court Judge, and

attorneys in collaboration for assessment and service needs of clients. This includes preparation of court
documentation and necessary reports including requesting petitions for such things as Mental Health
Commitments, Alcohol and Other Drug Commitments, Child in Need of Protection and Service, Juvenile in Need
of Protection and Services, Youth Justice, Protective Placement, Adult Protection, Elder Abuse Protection,
Guardianships, and assistance in necessary restraining orders for protection of individuals as appropriate.

• Attends seminars, workshops, and training sessions as mandated by BCDHHS and program requirements, aiding

in the education of programs and state statutes. This includes Social Work Certification training hours including
ethics and boundaries training mandated by the Department of Safety and Professional Services.

• Covers on call services as this position may be on call as agency needs require performing all agency-related

work after hours, on weekends, and on holidays. On call duties include:

o Juvenile Intake under Chapter 938 and Child Protection under Chapter 48.
o Assisting Law Enforcement with emergency situations under Chapter 51 and Chapter 55.

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o Handling family or individual crises including emergency food, shelter, fuel, and domestic abuse.
o Assuring the appropriate documentation, referral, and follow up.

Minimum Training, Experience, and Qualifications Required to Perform Essential Job Duties:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, Wisconsin Social Worker Certification (permanent or temporary) or qualify for a

Social Work Training Certificate. Certified Social Worker preferred.

• Must obtain Wisconsin Social Worker Certification within the first two years of employment and maintain the

ongoing certification.

• A minimum of one year’s experience in working with the identified population of hire/assignment. For example, if

assigned to work with individuals with mental health needs, the minimum experience of the social worker will be
one year of experience working with persons living with mental illness. If the target population is Child Protection,
the Social Worker will have at least a minimum of one year experience in working with children and / or families.

• Valid driver’s license.
  

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described herein are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the
essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform
essential duties.

This is largely a sedentary role; however, some filing is required. This would require the ability to move files, open filing
cabinets and bend or stand, as necessary. Needs to frequently communicate about confidential matters with a variety of
individuals in a variety of settings and must be able to exchange accurate information. Must be able to apply established
protocols in a timely manner.

Work Environment:

This job mainly operates in a professional office environment. This job routinely uses standards office equipment such as
computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. At times, this position requires you to go out in the field to make
home visits. Occasionally deals with agitated people. Exposure to hazardous materials and extreme heat/cold is relatively
low.



Nothing in this position description limits management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at
any time. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.
The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a
logical assignment to the position. The position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the
employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the
position change.

Employee Acknowledgement:

I have received, reviewed, and fully understand this position description. I further understand that I am responsible for the
satisfactory execution of the essential duties and responsibilities as well as skills and abilities described therein.
Furthermore, I understand this document will change over time, as necessary, and this document superseded all prior
descriptions. I understand I may be asked to perform duties and handle responsibilities that are not specifically addressed
in my position description, from time to time. I understand that this does not constitute an employment agreement.