SOCIAL WORKER - YOUTH JUSTICE-LTE

La Crosse County • La Crosse, WI

2d

About The Position

La Crosse County is hiring a Youth Justice social worker for a limited-term employee position lasting six months. The role supports young people under age 18 involved with the justice system, focusing on their strengths, resilience, rehabilitation, and ability to remain in their communities. The social worker works with youth and their families to assess needs, develop and update case plans, coordinate services, and provide coaching and guidance related to social, emotional, educational, and health concerns.

The position provides services in accordance with Wisconsin statutes, court procedures, and applicable program requirements. It involves maintaining client records and documentation, preparing juvenile court documents and reports, attending and testifying at court proceedings when required, and collaborating with internal teams and external agencies. The employee participates in an on-call rotation, including nights, weekends, and holidays, and may perform other duties as assigned.

The role requires a relevant college degree and Wisconsin social worker certification, or an application for a temporary or training certificate with regular certification obtained within specified time limits. A valid driver's license and access to personal transportation or another reliable means of travel are required. The job involves substantial talking and hearing, significant sitting and computer use, some standing, walking, climbing, reaching, lifting and carrying, and occasional assistance with transferring or carrying clients. There may be a risk of physical attack or injury in unusual situations.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a major in Social Work or a related degree in Sociology, Psychology, or Criminal Justice.
• Wisconsin State certification as a Social Worker; applicants not certified at application must have applied for a temporary or training certificate and obtain regular certification within specified time limits.
• Must be available to work outside normal work hours and participate in on-call duties.
• Must have or obtain within one year 30 hours of Juvenile Court Intake training.
• Basic computer keyboarding skills for entering client data.
• Valid driver's license and access to personal transportation, or another reliable means of travel in city and rural areas.
• Knowledge of social welfare programs, human growth and behavior, social and economic problems affecting individuals and families, applicable public welfare laws and regulations, and community welfare and health resources.
• Knowledge of justice-involved youth behavior and adolescent development.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations, justice-involved youth, and their families.
• Ability to communicate clearly, organize work, use supervision appropriately, and participate meaningfully in training.
• Ability to invoke the judicial process and use statutory authority.
• Ability to make decisions with limited information under pressure.
• Ability to work respectfully and cooperatively with clients, the public, colleagues, supervisors, and public officials.

Nice To Haves

• At least one year of experience working with youth and families and familiarity with community resources available to them.
• Wisconsin Social Worker certification at the time of hire.
• Knowledge of eWISACWIS.

Responsibilities

• Provide social services in accordance with Wisconsin statutes, court policies, and applicable program guidelines.
• Accept requests and referrals for agency services.
• Use a family systems approach and strength-based practices to support families and their informal support networks.
• Assess needs and develop, implement, monitor, and modify case plans with youth and their families.
• Explain agency services and clients' rights and responsibilities.
• Arrange or provide services based on client assessments.
• Provide coaching, modeling, and guidance addressing social, emotional, educational, and health issues.
• Evaluate cases regularly and develop or update service plans.
• Maintain accurate, current case records and complete client-focused documentation on time, including legal documents for juvenile court.
• Prepare required correspondence, reports, and other records.
• Coordinate or participate in team meetings, committees, and task forces as assigned.
• Attend court proceedings and testify when required; provide dispositional reports within applicable timeframes.
• Perform duties under Chapter 938 of the Wisconsin Statutes and established court procedures.
• Collaborate with team members and internal and external agencies.
• Participate in the on-call rotation, including nights, weekends, and holidays, and respond to after-hours Youth Justice calls.
• Maintain client confidentiality, treat clients respectfully, and follow county conduct standards and NASW ethics.
• Maintain skills and competence through required meetings and continuing training.
• Assist and provide backup to other social workers as needed.
• Assist student interns assigned to the unit.
• Research data for grant writing related to youth justice programs as needed.
• Work nights, weekends, or during community emergencies or disasters when required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension program.
• Countywide insurance plans and access to local no-cost care options for everyday health needs.
• Vacation and sick time accrued beginning on the first day.
• Ability to bank up to twice the annual vacation accrual.
• Ability to build up to 150 sick days as a full-time employee.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level