Intensive Support Services Specialist (LTE)

Marathon County•Wausau, WI

About The Position

Marathon County Social Services is hiring a Limited-Term Employee (LTE) Intensive Support Specialist to provide individual intervention and programming through its Youth Opportunity Center (Y.O.C.). The role supports youth involved with the Youth Justice system and their families, including youth navigating behavioral, emotional, or legal challenges. The specialist serves as a mentor, facilitator, and positive role model, delivering psychoeducation, recreational programming, structure, and accountability to help youth build resilience, strengthen prosocial behavior, reduce risk factors, and remain in the community without further law violations. The position also provides support and education to parents regarding their teens’ behaviors. Work assignments are divided between two programs according to program needs and where staff support is required. The specialist works with youth and families in collaboration with social workers, schools, community agencies, and other partners. The role requires initiative, creativity, impartiality, integrity, confidentiality, appropriate boundaries, confidence in group facilitation, and assertiveness. It involves handling confidential and sensitive information. The position requires 40 hours per week. Workdays are eight hours, with varied start and end times that may include starting at 8 a.m. or working until 6 p.m. The starting hourly rate is $29.53, plus Marathon County benefits.

Requirements

At least two years of experience working with at-risk youth.
Valid driver’s license, a driving record that meets County standards, and reliable transportation; a working vehicle must be available to transport youth when needed.
Ability to adhere to professional boundaries, ethics, confidentiality and privacy practices, and agency policies, procedures, and regulations.
Understanding of youth development, including adolescent behavior, risk factors, and strengths-based engagement.
Ability to interact and communicate effectively with social workers, families, schools, and community partners and build constructive professional relationships.
Ability to follow written and verbal instructions accurately and with attention to detail.
Effective written and oral communication skills.
Ability to document incident reports and maintain accurate, current records and files.
Ability to ask questions and actively listen to build rapport and understanding.
Familiarity with motivational interviewing techniques and de-escalation strategies.
Ability to remain calm and professional during crisis-related issues.
Ability to work independently, apply established guidelines and standards, and exercise sound judgment within program procedures.
Strong interpersonal communication skills, including empathy, trust-building, and professionalism with youth and families.
Ability to organize information and maintain current documentation.
Ability to contribute to a positive work culture, customer service, and teamwork.
Ability to maintain regular and predictable attendance, work extra hours as required, and adjust to the needs of youth, families, and the agency.
Proficiency in basic computer operations, including word processing, data entry, and electronic communication tools.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience working with youth and their families, particularly in delinquency, behavioral challenges, or mental health, is strongly preferred; professional or lived experience is welcomed.
An associate or bachelor’s degree from an accredited two- or four-year college or university in Social Work, Social Sciences, Sociology, Psychology, or a related field is preferred; all education levels will be considered.

Responsibilities

Provide ongoing support services to youth to promote rehabilitation and stability at home, in the community, and through Youth Opportunity Center attendance, based on treatment plans.
Redirect youth behavior and thinking errors using active listening, motivational interviewing, problem-solving strategies, and boundary setting.
Develop and deliver programming tailored to youth, including anger management, healthy decision-making, life skills, recreational activities, and treatment groups; create a monthly calendar of structured daily activities.
Communicate with parents and guardians about transportation and behavioral updates, and provide transportation when needed.
Connect children and families with community resources.
Support parents and youth through in-person, phone, and text contact.
Create individualized youth treatment plans in collaboration with the Social Worker.
Facilitate parent support or educational groups and provide individual parent support and education.
Coordinate with community agencies to arrange community service, educational presentations, and recreational opportunities.
Teach independent living skills, including food preparation and cooking.
Provide direct sight-and-sound supervision of youth.
Complete assignments given to youth by social workers and assist with schoolwork when needed.
Provide electronic monitoring services, including fitting GPS monitors, initiating monitoring with the monitor company, monitoring schedules and violations, maintaining equipment, and communicating with youth, families, referring social workers, and other contacts.
Administer urinalysis as requested by the social worker.
Communicate with schools about attendance issues and academic needs.
Participate in supervisory and team consultations about assigned cases.
Maintain accurate and timely electronic case documentation in Excel spreadsheets and eWiSACWIS; document attendance, activities, behavior, and matters requiring social worker attention.
Attend court as necessary.
Perform other duties as assigned.