Human Services Professional (Child Welfare Unit)

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Performs Access responsibilities by gathering pertinent, detailed information about allegations of maltreatment, the family, surrounding circumstances, and service needs.

Conducts thorough assessments of families by observing and interviewing families and collateral contacts to make recommendation on substantiation of child maltreatment and identify safety concerns.

Manages, identifies, and ensures child safety through continuous assessment, oversight, and adjustment of safety plans that are effective and least restrictive. 

Determines, through interviews, assessments, home visits, investigations, etc., the range of services needed by individuals and families, explaining the services, and discussing the client’s rights and responsibilities. 

Recommends services from other resources, arranging appointments, and establishing connections with those providers to meet the client’s needs.

Ensures direct service meets all Wisconsin legislative statutes and DCF standards, policy, and procedures.

Completes and documents all necessary paperwork in a professional and timely manner, including assessments, safety plans, court related reports, court conditions, and any other related paperwork. 

Functions as a Juvenile Court Intake Worker appointed by the Calumet County Court-Juvenile Division, including taking children into custody as necessary under Wisconsin Chapter 48 Children’s Code.

Provides court related services, including preparing and writing court reports, court conditions, testimony, and other court related paper work pertaining to juvenile court and child protection matters.

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

Maintains case records containing pertinent, accurate, and current information; prepares correspondences, reports, and other records as required; provides periodic case reviews.

Participates in unit and department-wide meetings, discussions, and trainings associated with the position.

Performs crisis on-call duties as assigned.

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 para-professional 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 mental health, AODA or child abuse and neglect; or 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 crises 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, State and County data systems software, including eWiSACWIS and The Clinical Manager systems; Internet; spreadsheet and word processing software.

Certificates, Licenses, 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 in the State of Wisconsin 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 listen. The employee is frequently required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to walk and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and 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 work environment is usually quiet.