Social Worker/Case Worker - Crisis

Join Our Team at Dunn County

At Dunn County, we're more than just a local government – we're a community of dedicated professionals united by our core values and committed to serving our residents. Our culture is built on five fundamental principles that guide everything we do:

Our Core Values in Action

• Dedication - We demonstrate unwavering commitment to those we serve, ensuring that every decision and action is focused on enhancing the quality of life for Dunn County residents.
• Professionalism - Excellence is our standard. We maintain the highest levels of competence while fostering an environment of courtesy and respect in all our interactions and responsibilities.
• Ethics - Integrity is non-negotiable. We pride ourselves on consistently acting with honesty and transparency, building trust through ethical decision-making in every aspect of our public service.
• Betterment - Innovation drives us forward. We're committed to continuous improvement, constantly seeking ways to enhance our services and the value we deliver to our community.
• Collaboration - Together we achieve more. We foster an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are valued, and teamwork is essential to achieving our shared goals.

Job Summary

• Conduct insightful assessments and screenings
• Offer compassionate options counseling
• Connect clients with life-changing referral services
• Investigate complex cases with keen attention to detail
• Manage and coordinate a wide range of social support services

Pay is dependent upon qualifications. The salary range for those meeting Case Worker requirements is $27.78 to $36.42 per hour, with anticipated starting pay between $27.23 and $29.32. The salary range for those meeting Social Worker requirements is $61,693 to $80,954 annually, with anticipated starting pay between $61,693 and $65,146 annually.

Primary Responsibilities

The following duties are primarily performed and which are essential for this position. Employees are expected to be able to perform each of these job duties satisfactorily and successfully to be qualified for the position. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Provides assistance over the phone or in person to the public during all business hours. This assistance may be answering questions about the community and/or county programs, assistance in accessing supports to meet basic needs, addressing concerns and frustrations with service delivery and processes, providing linkage to resources and services, and facilitation and support through emotional and traumatic situations.
• Receives phone, in-person or electronic reports, referrals and requests for services and resources.
• Makes consumer referrals; maintains contact with other agencies/organizations; coordinates services with a variety of providers and family members.
• Completes accurate and timely record keeping including case notes, assessments, treatment plans, crisis plans, court recommendations, and billing activities.
• Attends staff training and other meetings as required.
• Completes responsibilities within statutory or administrative rule timelines and meets any monthly productivity documentation or billing goals.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Receives reports of child abuse and neglect and conducts initial assessment.
• Conducts juvenile court intake conferences and makes child custody decisions
• Provides service facilitation and compliance monitoring aimed at protecting child and community safety through voluntary and court-ordered interventions.
• Certifies Kinship providers and licenses foster homes.
• Provides information and testifies in court proceedings as necessary
• Provides after-hours on-call child protective service and juvenile intake coverage.

• Provides long-term care and other options counseling to consumers concerning elderly or disability benefits
• Assists consumers in the application for a variety of benefit
• Conducts investigations of elder/vulnerable adult abuse and/or neglect
• Prepares guardianship and protective placement reports, and recommendations and provides court testimony.
• Performs functional screening for publicly funded long-term services.
• Provides information and testifies in court proceedings as necessary

• Position fulfills requirements of Service Facilitator as outlined in Wisconsin Administrative Code DHS 36 (CCS) or of a Service Coordinator as outlined in the Wisconsin Medicaid Home and Community Based Waiver Manual (CLTS)
• Provides CCS and/or CLTS community services per Wisconsin statutes, court policies, and/or requirements of program, state, or federal guidelines
• Provides services in support of recovery concepts and practices.
• Explains the scope of services and discusses consumer’s rights and responsibilities in relation to the use of services
• Performs functional screening for publicly funded services.

• Position fulfills the requirements of a case manager as outlined in Wisconsin DHS 63.12.

• Provides follow-up and linkage to services for consumers who access crisis services through Dunn County DHS Behavioral Health crisis programming.
• Serves as a liaison between crisis services, law enforcement, DHS, hospital staff and other community stakeholders to continually improve crisis services.
• Develops crisis plans and alert forms for consumers at high risk of need for crisis intervention.
• Attends Chapter 51 hearings and provide recommendations and testimony regarding treatment and placement.
• Facilitate access of families or other interested associates of mental health consumers to court action via Three Party petitions
• Monitor consumer compliance with settlement agreements and commitment orders.

Minimum Qualifications

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field.
• Minimum of two (2) years previous experience in Human Services or Social Work.

• Upon hire, obtain and maintain Functional Screener Certification
• Successful passing of the Continued Skills Test, administered bi-annually
• Certified Social Worker or possess a social worker training certificate
• Valid driver’s license or the ability to travel between work locations.
• Prior to hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.

• Knowledge of local and state regulations, rules, policies and procedures pertaining to specific program assignments.
• Knowledge of the fundamentals, principles, techniques and trends in social services in family systems/dynamics, child development, individual/family therapy, counseling, intervention, chemical dependency, abuse, neglect, family violence and aging and disability benefits/needs.
• Knowledge of interviewing, assessing, counseling and evaluating.
• Knowledge of community resources and needs.
• Knowledge of case management and record keeping requirements.
• Skill in assessing general client issues and making necessary referrals to others inside or outside of the department, as warranted.
• Skill in applying professional judgement, discretion and decision making in developing strategies and plans to best meet client needs and concerns within relevant and applicable requirements, regulations, rules, policies and procedures.
• Skill in investigating, interviewing and gathering information and documentation needed in making assessments and evaluations concerning client emotional/physical needs, issues and concerns.
• Skill in assessing, evaluating and developing individual service plans for clients and coordinating consumer services.
• Skill in conducting and preparing court studies, preparing court documents and testifying in court concerning actions, findings and recommendations.
• Skill in conducting child, elderly or vulnerable adult abuse/neglect investigations.
• Skill in performing intake assessments.
• Skill in planning, coordinating and monitoring services provided.
• Skill in documenting and maintaining required case management activities and requirements.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to follow Dunn County policies and procedures.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and professional working relationships.
• Ability to manage time effectively, manage multiple projects, and complete work within established deadlines.
• Ability to work the allocated hours of the position.

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with other staff members, supervisors, and community members in written and verbal form.

• Ability to read, interpret, and communicate policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; etc.
• English skills (oral, written and comprehension) sufficient to effectively communicate with all internal and external customers.

• Ability to understand and effectively carry out verbal and written instructions.
• Must have ability to work accurately with attention to detail.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and concise records and reports.

• Ability to make arithmetic computations using whole numbers, fractions and decimals.
• Ability to compute rates, ratios and percentages.

Physical and Work Environment

The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions or as otherwise required by law. Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee’s supervisor or Human Resources.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Physical effort will typically require infrequent exertion of objects weighing up to 25 pounds and/or regular, but not continuous, exertion of objects weighing up to 10 pounds.
• Work requires continuous sitting, talking and listening and frequently requires using hands to key, handle or feel. This work occasionally requires standing, walking and reaching with hands and arms.
• Work has standard vision requirements.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities.

• Work is inside and outside of an office setting.
• Work frequently requires travel to clients, agencies or provider locations.
• Work may involve exposure to poor housing/housekeeping conditions.
• Work may involve interactions with clients that are unpleasant such as clients that are hostile, violent, angry, upset or uncooperative.
• Work may involve interaction with clients with chemical/emotional illnesses.
• Potential risks and hazards can be minimized through professional training, judgement, county risk management procedures and ability to adjust schedules, locations and appointments.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Dunn County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

By applying for this position, you acknowledge that you have read our job posting in its entirety and meet the basic requirements outlined above. Dunn County looks forward to reviewing your application.