Social Service Specialist-Family and Children's Services

Embrace a full-time position with a work schedule that allows for work-life balance. We are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive work environment and offer the opportunity to become part of an organization that values all team members and respects diversity.

This position serves as a liaison between the client/customer and the designated service function of the Human Services Department, while performing social services work. Employees are selected and supervised by a Human Services Department Section Manager or Supervisor, or designee. This role requires regular evening work and occasional or possible weekend shifts. Core hours for this position are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday hours being 11:00am-7:30pm with Wednesday and Friday hours being 8:00am - 4:30pm. The schedule will regularly fluctuate to meet the clients' needs.

Wage Range: $20.72 - $25.49

We offer:

• A supportive, collaborative, inclusive, and diverse workforce.
• Ample opportunities for career learning, development, and growth.
• A culture of respect, teamwork, honesty, and integrity.
• The chance to serve your community in a purposeful and meaningful way.
• Flexibility with generous paid time-off benefits.

In addition, we provide excellent benefits, including:

• The Wisconsin Retirement System
• Great health insurance
• Comprehensive dental coverage
• Life insurance with disability options

Demonstrates self-leadership, seeks out opportunities for personal growth and development, accepts feedback and demonstrates ability to learn and apply.
 
Shares ideas and demonstrates respect, humility, honesty, and open-minded thinking with both coworkers and families served.
 
Demonstrates flexibility, acceptance of change and emotional intelligence.
 
Takes initiative and demonstrates the ability to think critically and strategically.
 
Participates as a contributing member of the team and brings authentic self to discussions regarding all aspects of the work.
 
Demonstrates ability to build and maintain effective relationships.

Contributes positively to an inclusive workplace.
 
Maintains confidentiality of client-related information, maintains respectful treatment of clients, and adheres to the La Crosse County Standards of Conduct in the Administrative Code (3.08).
 
Maintains skill and competence levels as policies and regulations change by attending department/staff meetings and by participating in continuing training as required and appropriate.
 
This role provides a wide variety of services including, but not limited to: 

• Provides supervised visits and parent education to monitor family progress, both in the community and/or within the family’s natural setting.
• Works with professional staff to analyze interactions with families and contribute to case decisions by providing input and documentation.
• Assists children, youth and families with daily living skills. 
• Provides services within the parameters of individual case plans to enhance the lives of the families served, i.e. transportation, visitation, mentoring, etc.
• Gathers, analyzes, and organizes data and generates reports as assigned.

Physical Demands: Good percentage of time is spent talking and listening, and using a computer.  An intermittent amount of time is spent standing, walking, climbing, bending, reaching, lifting and carrying (up to 35 lbs). Frequent travel to clients' homes and/or provider agencies using personal travel. Frequently carries a child. May require outdoor activities under various conditions.  Uses automobile, telephone, copy machines, computer/keyboard, dictating equipment. There is the threat of physical attack or injury from clients in unusual situations.

RELATED JOB FUNCTIONS

This job description is not intended to encompass every job duty or responsibility but is only illustrative.  This position is required to perform other duties as may be assigned or required.

• Knowledge of agency services and community resources.
• Knowledge of needs and behavioral patterns of clients being served, with an emphasis on child development and parenting skills. 
• Ability to demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills and written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to be flexible and stay organized.
• Ability to use computer, e-mail, internet and certain computer software programs.
• Ability to maintain courteous, cooperative and respectful working relationships with clients, other employees, management and the community stakeholders.
• Ability to participate in meaningful training or educational opportunities provided by the agency, State or other resources.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with a need to multitask and adapt to changes.
• Ability to effectively work with diverse populations.
• Ability to learn and apply state program standards.

• Requires a combination of experience and/or education in the Human Services field.
• Have and maintain valid driver's license, good driving record, access to personal transportation and meet the minimum insurance requirements of the County, or other reliable means for county-wide travel.
• Requires regular evening work and occasional or possible weekend shifts. Core hours for this position are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday hours being 11:00am-7:30pm with Wednesday and Friday hours being 8:00am - 4:30pm. The schedule will regularly fluctuate to meet the clients needs.
• Requires successful completion of a criminal record check.

Salary : $21