Social Worker (Sheriff)

Salary : $33.86 - $39.52 Hourly

Location : Madison, WI

Job Type : Full time (1.0FTE)

Job Number : 2025-00020

Department : Sheriff's Office

Opening Date : 02 / 14 / 2025

Closing Date : 2 / 28 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Central

FLSA : Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit : 2634

Description

The Dane County Sheriff's Office has a full-time (1.0 FTE) vacancy for a Social Worker position in Madison, WI.

The Eligibility List created may be used to fill future Social Worker vacancies over the next six (6) months. All are encouraged to apply.

Equity, Definition and Examples of Duties

COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND INCLUSION

As an employer, we strive to provide a work environment where diversity and differing opinions are valued, creativity is encouraged, continuous learning and improvement are fostered, teamwork and open / honest communication are encouraged, and meeting customer needs through quality service is a shared goal. All employees must be able to demonstrate multicultural competence - the awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to work with others who are culturally different from self in meaningful, relevant, and productive ways. Applicants from traditionally underrepresented populations including women, racial and ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.

DEFINITION

Under supervision of a Dane County Sheriff's Office Lieutenant, this position is responsible for assisting and advocating for incarcerated individuals, primarily those sentenced to the Dane County Jail. This position provides general case management and assists eligible residents in obtaining employment, child care, education, or apprenticeship positions and making arrangements for treatment as needed.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Assists in fostering and coordinating treatment, schooling, and programming for residents to reduce recidivism and address criminogenic needs. Advocates for jail residents from existing systems and services, providing jail diversion opportunities. Assesses the needs for programs. Identifies, develops and maintains direct contact with community groups, employers, and organizations to assist in program development. Work closely with residents, security staff, employers, community service providers, and the court system. Teaches skill-building classes, facilitates groups and works closely with the jail's re-entry coordinator.

Education, Experience and Special Requirements

Education, Training and Experience :

Applicants with a Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Social Work will be screened through. Applicants who are currently in their final semester of school and are obtaining a Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Social Work will be screened through. Applicants with any other major must possess a Social Work Certification from the WI Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) prior to applying.

Certifications / Licenses :

All individuals must possess a degree and a Social Work Certification from the WI Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) prior to the first day of employment. Candidates with a temporary certificate from the DSPS may be accepted, but must obtain permanent certification within one (1) year in order to pass probation (a training certificate will not be accepted). If any applicant does not possess a certification on the first day of employment the job offer will be rescinded and they will be terminated.

Special Requirements :

Must also be able to pass a background check in order to obtain and maintain security clearance for access to jail facilities. Requires a valid driver's license (or eligibility for), access to reliable personal motor vehicle transportation, and a good driving record. Weekends may be required dependent on the needs of program schedules.

Background Check Statement : Some positions may require a criminal background check which can include fingerprinting due to the nature of the job's responsibilities. Wisconsin's Fair Employment Law, s. 111.31 - 111.395, Wis. Stats., prohibits discrimination because of an arrest or conviction record. However, Dane County may disqualify an applicant if the position's responsibilities are substantially related to the applicant's criminal history (e.g., the nature of the crime and its relationship to the position, whether hiring, transferring or promoting an applicant would pose an unreasonable risk to the business, its employees, customers and vendors, etc.) Management reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

For Bilingual Positions :

• Provide services in both English and the required foreign language (e.g., Spanish, Arabic, Hmong, etc.).
• Applicants being considered for bilingual positions will be tested during the recruitment process prior to employment. This will primarily consist of passing an oral language proficiency assessment from English to foreign language and foreign language to English, but may require additional language testing, such as written translation, if it is an essential function of the job.
• If applicable, individuals may confirm with the Employee Relations Division whether results of bilingual language certifications / examinations they currently hold qualify them for the position's bilingual designation.

Physical and Environmental Work Requirements :

Ability to sit in one (1) place for extended periods of time; ability to view a computer monitor / screen for long periods; ability to lift 20-pound boxes with assistance and 10-15-pound boxes unassisted.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of the Wisconsin State Statutes pertaining to criminal codes and DOC 302 and 350; knowledge of the court system and process; knowledge of current social and economic problems and ways in which these problems affect families and individuals; knowledge of community resources and how to use them effectively; knowledge of human development and behavior; knowledge of family and community systems; effective oral and written communication skills; ability to relate to persons from a variety of ethnic and racial backgrounds in an unprejudiced and understanding manner; ability to recognize symptoms of emotional disabilities, alcohol and drug abuse and learning difficulties; ability to prepare and maintain complex records and reports; ability to participate effectively as a member of a team; ability to plan and organize work to effectively achieve program objectives; ability to understand and follow oral and / or written instructions; ability to use a computer to generate reports and complete forms; ability to organize and coordinate programs for jail residents; and ability to analyze the use of data in program planning. This social work position is geared specifically for correctional facilities and will require weekend hours. The position requires access to all areas of the facilities, so awareness and adherence to rules and regulations is mandatory for safety and security of all within the facility.

Become a part of the Dane County Team!

We offer a wide range of benefits including fully paid dental and HMO health insurance premiums for full time employees / pro rated for part time employees. The County will also provide contributions towards POS health insurance premiums and short / long term disability. Additional benefits available include long term care, vision coverage, flex spending account and deferred compensation programs paid in full by the employee and a wellness program. For further details on insurance benefits visit

Bilingual Pay : Employees who work in bilingual designated positions receive an additional $2.00 per hour.

Undesirable Hours Premium Pay : Employees may receive undesirable hours pay of $2.00 for anytime worked between 6 : 00 p.m. and 6 : 00 a.m and for anytime on Saturday and / or Sunday. (not applicable with all employee groups).

Paid Parental Leave : Dane County also provides 12 weeks of paid parental leave for birth or adoption of a child.

Caregiver Leave : Dane County offers 80 hours of paid leave to care for an ill family member.

Telecommuting : Telecommuting allows employees to work remotely for all or part of their workweek. Dane County considers telecommuting to be a viable, flexible option when both the employee and the job are suited to such an arrangement. Dane County will permit telecommuting when it benefits the productivity of the employee and their department and if determined by employee's department that telecommuting is not detrimental to either the County or the employee.

Student Loan Forgiveness : If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, you may be able to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

WI Retirement System : Employees hired after 7-1-11 must be expected to work a minimum of 1200 hours annually to be enrolled in the Wisconsin Retirement System when hired.

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Dane County participates in E-Verify. For more information see the Notice of E-Verify Participation and Right to Work posters here" and then the 'here' links to this page :

Do you have a Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Social Work or are currently in your final semester of school and are obtaining a Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Social Work?

Please specify your degree.

Do you possess a Social Work Certification from the WI Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS)?

THIS IS NOT A QUESTION. NOTE TO APPLICANT : Your responses to the following graded questions will also be evaluated based on : (1) Clarity of information, (2) Proper spelling and grammar usage; (3) Conciseness of material; and (4) Organization of narrative. Applicants applying for Dane County jobs are strictly prohibited from using artificial intelligence-generated (AI-generated) content or tools in any part of the job application process. This includes but is not limited to resumes, cover letters, and responses to written or oral questions during the entirety of the recruitment process. Please refer to the introductory paragraph on the Dane County Career Opportunities page (titled : "Important! Applicant - Read This Section Before Applying!") where you accessed your application, for further details of the Dane County Job Applicant Artificial Intelligence Use Prohibited Policy (Paragraph #8). In your application you will be asked to disclose whether or not you used AI to complete any part of the job application process. Exceptions apply if you need to use AI as a health-related accommodation (details for submitting the request are provided in the policy). Otherwise, your application will be disqualified.

THIS QUESTION IS GRADED. Please describe your education, background and professional work experience in working with residents or former residents of a secure correctional facility or at risk-populations. Explain how your work has prepared you for this position. Describe your role(s), experience, and length of time working with residents or former residents of a secure correctional facility, or providing services for at-risk populations. Include the length of time you spent in each position discussed. Include any degrees, licenses or certifications.

THIS QUESTION IS GRADED. Please describe your training and experience in assessment / referral, treatment and facilitating group programs. Be specific about the extent or length of your knowledge, the content of your work and training, employer name. Describe any experiences providing these services to residents of correctional facilities, justice-involved or at-risk populations. Also, include any achievement or certifications you may have attained in this area and what documents such achievement.

THIS QUESTION IS GRADED. This position is responsible for fostering and coordinating treatment, education and programming for jail residents with the intent to reduce recidivism and address criminogenic needs. Successful candidates should have experience with the case management of and coordination of services for at risk individuals. Among other skills, case management requires up-to-date knowledge of resources, persistence in completing referrals on behalf of clients, consistency of performance, and creative problem-solving skills. Describe any knowledge, skill, or experience that has prepared you for this role. Provide two examples from your experience that display your ability to perform these functions, please include example of collaboration / communication with other agencies.

Did you use artificial intelligence (AI)-generated content or tools in any part of this position's job application process?

If you used AI-generated content or tools, do you have an approved request from Dane County's ADA Coordinator to do so?

If you used AI-generated content or tools to complete any part of the job application process, please list in which sections of the application process you did so, including responses to graded questions.

Required Question

Salary : $34 - $40