Consider joining a dynamic team dedicated to serving our community. Polk County Community Services Division’s vision is “A Safe and Healthy Community for All”. We achieve this through Integrity, Accountability, Equity, Compassion, Empowerment, Prevention, Excellence, and Collaboration and Partnerships. Our team supports work-life harmony through flexible scheduling, remote work and excellent pay and benefits. 

Summary:

The Lead Social Worker will have specific responsibilities related to case management in the areas of Behavioral Health, Public Health, and/or Department of Children and Families. Duties include but are not limited to the following: case supervision, screening reports, approval of case work, on-call consultation, and assistance with onboarding new staff. Other duties include assessment, case planning, support to families, education, documentation, collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, referrals, case management, and resource development/support.

A Lead Social Worker may be assigned duties in any of the following departments: Children and Families, Behavioral Health, and Public Health.

Coordinate consumer intake: 
• Receive referrals, conduct interviews, and investigate to identify and assess needs, risk for recidivism, or need for intervention/service; 
• Develop, write, implement, and monitor strength-based individual and family service plans to correct/eliminate identified needs; 
• Determine appropriate resources and referrals to community-based care and services; and 
• Develop and implement safety plans to address vulnerabilities.
 **Some mandated service programs require 24/7coverage with on-call requirements
Determine and implement intervention services: 
• Assess risks to self and others, assess safety to self, others, and the community; 
• Intervene in crisis situations, including possible removal from home and/or placed in alternate care; 
• Coordinate and secure emergency services; and 
• Negotiate and resolve conflicts.
Provide client case management: 
• Collaborate and consult with others (professional staff and community agencies) regarding consumers, community services or programs; 
• Open and maintain consumer case records and files according to established standards and timelines, 
• Prepare necessary correspondence, required narratives, eligibility reviews and other incoming/outgoing communication about the consumer; 
• Provide information regarding case openings, closings, and denials; 
• Provide testimony or written recommendations in county or district court or in administrative appeal hearings regarding consumer cases; 
• Advise consumers of resources, rights and responsibilities under programs or services; and
• Develop, coordinate, and deliver program information to the general public, special interest groups and professional organizations. 
Marginal Duties and Responsibilities: Other duties as assigned and general office back-up and support.
Supervisory Responsibilities: Case supervision, quality assurance and/or approval of case workQualifications: 
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.
1. Master's degree with social work certification/licensure preferred.2. Bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work (BSW/MSW only), certified or licensed Social Worker by the State of Wisconsin with three years paid Social Work experience in a county human service organization and designated as Lead Worker by hiring authority.
3. Bachelor’s or master’s degree, certified Social Worker by the State of Wisconsin with five years paid Social Work experience in a county human service organization and designated as Lead Worker by hiring authority.
4. Must have a valid driver’s license.
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 
Competency Requirements:

• Self-Management - Assumes responsibility for successfully accomplishing work objectives and delivering results; sets highs standards of performance; organizes and plans for task accomplishment in a manner that maximizes efficient performance; considers a multitudes of diverse factors, their interrelationships, the perspectives of others, alternative course of action and their likely ramifications while establishing priorities to ensure timely completions of assigned work and fulfill responsibilities.
•  Integrity/Honesty - Contributes to maintaining the integrity of the organization; displays high standards of ethical conduct and understands the impact of violating these standards on an organization, self, and others; is trustworthy.
• Superior Customer Service and Community Relations - Anticipates and strives to meet the needs of both internal and external stakeholders (employees, contracted staff, residents, families, and other internal and external clientele). Delivers high-quality services; is committed to continuous improvement. Interacts with members of the public and key stakeholders in a manner to elicit positive response and participation. Presents information and /or represents the organization’s best interests.
• Communications – Delivers clear, effective communication and takes responsibility to assure others understand messaging; uses correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling; produces both verbal and written information that is appropriate for the intended audience.
• Interpersonal Relations – Develops and maintains effective relationships with others; relates well to people from diverse backgrounds and in different situations; shows understanding, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness; maintains a professional and courteousattitude with staff, consumers, and the community regarding Department confidentiality policies.
• Accountability - Assumes responsibility for successfully accomplishing work objectives and delivering results; sets high standards of performance for self and others.
• Judgment and Decision Making – Accurately assesses situations, seeks new information if necessary, and applies all available information to reach sound conclusions/formulate effective responses. Requires little guidance for responding to a wide range of complex situations with far-reaching and/or enduring consequences.
• Data Gathering and Analysis - Seeks or collects and synthesizes information from a variety of stakeholders and sources in an objective, unbiased manner to reach a conclusion, goal, or judgment.

Minimum Skills Assessment Requirements: Interviewing and assessment skills and the ability to formulate evidence-based recommendations are required. Exceptional oral and written communication skills are necessary.
Certificates/Licenses/Registrations: Must have a minimum certification as a Social Worker by the State of Wisconsin.Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.
Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing this position, employees will be exposed to various weather conditions, as well as conditions that would be found in consumer homes. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is moderate.