Social Worker (Adult Protective Services)

Waukesha County, WI • Waukesha, WI

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Waukesha County is recruiting for a full-time social worker for the Adult Protective Services (APS) Unit. APS is a unit within the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Waukesha County Health and Human Services. Waukesha County Adult Protective Services works with adults (18 years and older) with disabilities and elder adults (60 and older) in Waukesha County who are at risk and/or experiencing some form of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation. The primary role and responsibility of an Adult Protective Services Social Worker is to investigate and intervene in reports of abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation as guided by WI State Statutes (46.90, Ch 54, and Ch 55). The goal is to link persons at risk, or currently experiencing, abuse and neglect with protective services in the least restrictive means to promote their best possible quality of life. Social workers work with adult clients across the lifespan that present with a variety of risks to their health, safety and well-being to determine the most appropriate course of intervention to meet their individual needs. Every action taken by Adult Protective Services must balance the duty to protect the safety of a vulnerable adult with respecting a competent adult’s right to self-determination. Adult protective services social workers work closely with the court to provide legal protection of incompetent adults through a variety of court interventions including court ordered guardianships and protective placements into residential facilities.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university in sociology, social work, psychology, or a closely related field.
• A bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university plus one (1) year of professional social work experience.
• Social work certification from the State of Wisconsin within six (6) months of employment.
• Valid Driver’s License.
• Direct work with vulnerable adult populations including adults with developmental disability, adults with chronic mental health and/or substance abuse concerns; older or frail elderly; and persons with dementia.
• Case management and in-home assessments to vulnerable adults in the community.
• Skill in working with involuntary clients and/or clients with complex needs.
• Knowledge of social work skills for assessment, case planning, and documentation.
• Professional skills in communicating and collaborating with a variety stakeholders including law enforcement, court personnel, human services professionals and other community stakeholders.
• A professional value of providing strength based and trauma informed services to promote a person’s self-determination for service delivery.

Nice To Haves

• Court work, documentation, and testimony – with preference to those with experience and or knowledge of Wisconsin Stats 51, 54, 55, and 46.90.

Responsibilities

• Makes initial contact with and receives referrals of clients with a variety of problems which require social work assessment and/or intervention.
• Conducts assessments of client needs through interviews, collateral contacts and other investigations, develops a casework plan with clients, and performs agreed-upon and necessary casework services.
• Maintains a caseload involving clients with personal, family, or socio-economic problems and attends to the related protection and safety needs.
• Counsels, mediates, and provides intervention and case management services, coordinating the various social, community, and other services received by the clients.
• Informs clients of available programs and services to meet their individual needs and encourages participation in the most appropriate activities; or ensures participation in court-mandated services.
• Initiates and maintains contacts with the courts, schools, mental health, and community agencies to assist individuals and families in need of a variety of human services.
• Attends and participates in staff development programs, including in-service training, staff meetings, and professional seminars.
• Provides consultation to other social work personnel and paraprofessionals.
• Serves as a representative of the department to interested individuals, professionals, and community groups.
• Acts as a department liaison, providing casework direction and supervision to providers of contracted services.
• Prepares social histories and family assessments, reviews results and recommendations with supervisor and makes recommendations concerning case dispositions and testifies at court and administrative hearings as required.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with clients, families, caregivers, service providers, volunteers, community agencies, and the public.
• Prepares and presents oral and written reports.
• Maintains detailed case records and develops and prepares statistical reports as required.
• Performs emergency government duties as assigned in event of Waukesha County Emergency Government declaration.
• Performs other duties as required.

Benefits

• excellent health/dental/vision
• life insurance
• generous paid time off (vacation, 10 holidays, 3 floating holidays, ample accrued sick time that rolls over each year)
• an exceptional pension plan with employer match and lifetime retirement payment
• an optional tax advantaged 457 retirement savings plan
• pay for performance system
• performance-based merit increases
• non-base performance awards
• balanced work-life culture
• exceptional employee wellness program that offers a variety of programs and tools to help promote an employee's wellness and health, including an on-site health & wellness clinic
• professional development opportunities
• on-site fitness center
• free parking

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level