SOCIAL WORKER - COMMUNITY RESPONSE

La Crosse County•La Crosse, WI

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Under supervision, this employee assists clients with environmental and supportive services designed to overcome financial, personal health or family struggles; conducts individual or family assessments to determine services needed; provides agency services when appropriate; and refers clients for other community services when needed. Services to clients may take the form of protective actions in their behalf or on behalf of the community. The social worker in this position will work alongside an established Community Response Program (CRP). Community Response focuses on preventing child maltreatment and strengthening family functioning. This is achieved by providing families with access to services that families need and assisting them in accessing formal systems and informal resources to meet those needs. This position aims to provide children with safe, stable and nurturing environments through service linkages, case advocacy, connections to both formal and informal resources and skill-building for parents/caregivers. The focus will be on families in La Crosse County who were diverted by child protective services (CPS) following a report of alleged child maltreatment. The intent of this position is to reach families that are not actively involved in the child welfare system in an effort to reduce re-referrals to CPS, strengthen families, and prevent child maltreatment. By intervening before family circumstances rise to the level of threatened or actual maltreatment, risk factors can be addressed, and protective factors promoted to prevent child abuse and neglect. The successful candidate for this position will be highly creative, demonstrate a skill for relationship-building and effective program coordination. Under the direction of the Community Programs and Prevention Supervisor, the Community Response Social Worker collaborates with law enforcement, school representatives, community partners, residents, and others to provide prevention/early intervention services at the community level. Within this role, the Community Response Social Worker: provides assistance to children, youth, and families; serves as a referral source and liaison to the Department regarding child welfare and service needs; works with others to develop and coordinate neighborhood and community-based resources to strengthen families and communities; develops special projects or initiatives designed to address client or resident needs; acts as a community referral source and resource person.

Requirements

Knowledge of the philosophy, history and development of social welfare programs
Basic knowledge and understanding of human growth and behavior
Knowledge of current social and economic problems and the way in which these problems affect families and individuals
Understanding of youth, family and community systems, community resources and their effective use, and department services, policies and practices
Knowledge of laws, regulations and practices pertaining to federal and state public welfare programs
Knowledge of resources for community welfare and health, and ways in which these resources may be used by people in need
Ability to work with diverse populations and relate to people in a culturally sensitive way
Ability to work autonomously yet partake in and appropriately use supervision
Ability to work primarily in a community setting
Ability to relate to people in an unprejudiced and understanding manner with concerns for their circumstances and feelings
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively
Ability to plan and organize work to most effectively achieve program objectives
Ability to prepare and maintain necessary reports
Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions
Ability to participate in, and appropriately use, available supervision
Ability to participate meaningfully in training provided by the agency, State Department, the University of Wisconsin Extension, and other resources
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a major in Social Work (or any related college degree such as Sociology, Psychology or Criminal Justice)
Basic computer keyboarding skills for entering data related to clients
Valid driver's license and access to personal transportation, or other reliable means for city and rural travel (for many positions)
Certification by the State of Wisconsin as a Social Worker
If not certified at the time of application for employment with La Crosse County, must have applied to the State of Wisconsin for a Temporary or Training Certificate and obtain regular Certification within specified time limits

Nice To Haves

Minimum of one year of experience working with the same population of clients that are served by the unit in which the vacancy occurs
Familiarity with community resources available to the client population

Responsibilities

Act with Integrity and Build Trust
Demonstrate mutual respect, humility, and honesty in all interactions
Speak up appropriately, even when expressing unpopular viewpoints
Actively listen and remain open-minded to diverse perspectives
Drive for Results
Set clear goals and objectives to motivate self and others to achieve outcomes
Seek new opportunities to improve processes and drive sustainable results
Hold self and others accountable through consistent evaluation and monitoring
Develop Talent and Effective Teams
Foster a collaborative environment that encourages knowledge sharing and growth
Provide mentorship and support to help self and others reach full potential
Recognize and leverage diverse strengths within self and team
Lead with Vision and Strategy
Understand and communicate a compelling vision that aligns with organizational goals
Develop and execute comprehensive strategies to achieve long-term objectives
Connect daily work to the bigger picture, inspiring self and others to contribute meaningfully
Lead with Paradoxical, Critical, and Agile Thinking
Navigate complex situations by considering multiple perspectives
Adapt quickly to changes and uncertainties in the work environment
Make critical decisions using analytical skills, experience, and input from others
Build and Maintain Effective Relationships
Communicate and collaborate effectively with stakeholders across the organization
Influence others through coaching, consulting, and team-minded thinking
Develop and sustain partnerships that create positive outcomes for all stakeholders
Cultivate Community Engagement and Provide Excellent Service
Understand and address the needs and concerns of the community
Incorporate community perspectives into decision-making processes
Drive initiatives that create positive impacts beyond the organization
Demonstrate Emotional Intelligence
Show self-awareness and manage emotions effectively in challenging situations
Seek and respond constructively to feedback, even in the face of setbacks
Balance empathy with accountability when leading self and working with others
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
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
Provides prevention/early intervention services to children, youth and families: meets with families and support networks to develop relationships and build trust; provides preventive early intervention and crisis response as appropriate; connects people to resources; utilizes the discretionary fund and other resources to address the minor emergency needs of clients; interfaces with child protective services, other Human Services departments and community partners as needed
Engages in collaborative activities with appropriate parties: works with agency representatives and others to identify needs and develop strategies to address them; coordinates services and interventions with other agencies and service providers; identifies gaps and barriers to service delivery
Performs departmental public relations and liaison duties: interprets the Department's role and responsibilities to community residents and service providers; consults with county workers and others regarding community resources; provides information to the Department, and other stakeholders regarding community needs as appropriate; serves on Department and community committees as directed
Adheres to Departmental reporting and training requirements: submits quarterly data reports and program documentation as needed; seeks out and participates in appropriate training opportunities
Explains and discusses options with clients regarding problem solving challenges that arise for them; utilizes both funded programs and other services that are available for individuals in the community
Makes home visits to assess client's needs and offers the client services and/or program options as applicable
Provides social services per Wisconsin Statutes, court policies, and/or requirements of the program, state, or federal guidelines
Accepts requests and referrals for agency services
Conducts thorough assessments through interviews, home visits and collateral investigations, to determine the range of services needed by these individuals and their families for preventative, remedial or rehabilitative services
Explains the scope of the agency's services and discusses the client's rights and responsibilities in relation to the use of such services
Arranges or provides for appropriate social services for clients based on assessments of needs
Conducts regular case evaluations and develops and updates service plans accordingly
Maintains case records containing pertinent, accurate and current information. Prepares correspondence, reports and other records as required
Fully completes required documentation in a timely fashion and in accordance with program requirements
Coordinates or participates in care conferences. Participates in committees and task forces as assigned
Testifies in court as necessary or required
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)
Adheres to approved social worker principles, methods and practices, including the National Association of Social Worker's (NASW) code of ethics
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
Reports to work when scheduled, with minimum use of sick leave. Employee is expected to build up sick leave balance for income protection for unexpected illness
In this public service position, employee is required to be courteous, cooperative and respectful at all times, with the public and clients. Also establishes and maintains a courteous, cooperative and respectful working relationship with other employees, supervisors, and public officials
Assists and provides back up to other Social Workers as necessary or required
May present public sessions of programs that promote prevention, wellness, or educational information to the general public
May be required to work nights, weekends, or during community emergencies and/or disasters, when work may vary from normal job responsibilities
Performs other duties as may be assigned or required