Intensive Support Services Specialist (LTE)

County of Marathon•Wausau, WI

About The Position

Marathon County Social Services is hiring an Intensive Support Specialist to provide individual intervention and programming through its Youth Opportunity Center (Y.O.C.). The Limited-Term Employee (LTE) position provides ongoing support to youth involved with the Youth Justice system and their families. Serving as a mentor, facilitator, and positive role model, the specialist delivers psychoeducation and recreational programming to help youth build resilience, reduce risk factors, strengthen prosocial behavior, and remain in the community without further law violations. The role also provides structure and accountability and supports parents through education and assistance with teen behaviors. Assignments may span both the Youth Opportunity Center and intensive support programs, according to program needs and where staff support is needed. The specialist works with youth and families facing behavioral, emotional, legal, or other challenges, and coordinates with social workers, parents and guardians, schools, and community agencies. The role requires initiative, creativity, impartiality, integrity, confidentiality, professional boundaries, confidence in group facilitation, and assertiveness. Work includes direct supervision and programming, parent support, transportation when needed, electronic monitoring, urinalysis at a social worker’s request, case documentation, and court attendance as needed. This is a 40-hour workweek with an eight-hour workday and varied start and end times, potentially including starts at 8 a.m. or work until 6 p.m. The starting hourly rate is $29.53, plus Marathon County benefits. The job combines desk work with moderate physical activity, including engaging youth in activities such as walking, biking, basketball, raking, shoveling, and gardening, and driving and maneuvering an eight-passenger van.

Requirements

At least two years of experience working with at-risk youth.
Valid driver’s license, driving record meeting County standards, and reliable transportation.
A working vehicle available for transporting youth to activities, appointments, or other required engagements when needed.
Ability to maintain professional boundaries and follow ethics, confidentiality, privacy practices, department policies, procedures, and regulations.
Understanding of youth development, including adolescent behavior, risk factors, and strengths-based approaches.
Ability to communicate and interact effectively with social workers, families, schools, and community partners and build professional relationships.
Ability to accurately follow and understand written and verbal instructions, with attention to detail.
Effective written and oral communication skills, including incident reporting and accurate documentation.
Ability to ask questions, listen actively, build rapport, and communicate empathetically and professionally with youth and families.
Familiarity with motivational interviewing techniques and de-escalation strategies.
Ability to remain calm and professional during crisis-related situations.
Ability to work independently, follow established guidelines and program procedures, and exercise sound judgment.
Ability to organize and maintain information and keep records and files current.
Ability to contribute to a positive work culture, customer service, and teamwork.
Proficiency in basic computer operations, including word processing, data entry, and electronic communication tools.
Ability to work varied start and end times and extra hours as required.

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 working with youth is encouraged.
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 individualized programming, 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 logistics and behavioral updates, and provide transportation when necessary.
Connect children and families with community resources and support them through face-to-face, phone, and text contact.
Create individualized treatment plans in collaboration with the Social Worker.
Facilitate parent support or education groups and provide individual parent support and education.
Coordinate with community agencies to schedule 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 from social workers with youth and assist with schoolwork when needed.
Provide electronic monitoring services, including placing GPS monitors, supplying information to the monitoring company, monitoring schedules and violations, maintaining equipment, and communicating with youth, families, social workers, and other involved parties.
Administer urinalysis when requested by a social worker.
Communicate with schools about attendance issues or academic needs.
Participate in supervisory and team consultations about assigned cases.
Maintain accurate and timely electronic case documentation in Excel spreadsheets and eWiSACWIS; document incidents, attendance, activities, behavior, and issues requiring a Social Worker’s attention.
Attend court as deemed necessary.
Perform other assigned duties.
Maintain regular and predictable attendance and work extra hours as required, with flexibility to meet the needs of youth, families, and the agency.