What are the responsibilities and job description for the Social Worker, DCFS-Youth Justice Unit position at City of Kenosha?
JOB REQUIREMENTS: The Kenosha County Division of Children and Family
Services, a leader and innovator in child welfare, is seeking an
experienced Social Worker/Case Manager who has a passion for improving
the lives of children and families, strong organizational skills, sound
decision making, the ability to work independently and with their team,
and a passion for child safety. The Youth Justice Social Worker/Case
Manager, reporting to the Social Worker Supervisor, provides ongoing
supervision of delinquent youth, juveniles in need of protection and
service, and adjudicated school truants. This position conducts
assessments of youth and families, prepares court reports and other
court documents, creates case plans, makes recommendations for length of
supervision and services, monitors and supports youth\'s compliance with
court orders, maintains case records, performs home visits, and monitors
youth in out-of-home placements. This position requires attending
Juvenile Court hearings, refers families for services, and works
collaboratively with community stakeholders and service providers.
Duties include: Interview Juvenile Court involved youth and their
families to obtain relevant youth and family assessment information
Prepare a disposition report for the court, including youth and family
risks and needs and recommendations for length of supervision and
services needed Represent DCFS and provide testimony in court hearings
Develop treatment plans including specific types of services designed to
help youth reduce delinquent behavior, improve school attendance,
improve decision making, increase youth competency, and improve family
functioning Provide case management including regularly meeting with the
youth and family to continually assess the youth and family\'s needs,
monitoring activities and school attendance, promoting and supporting
successful completion of supervision (client contact occurs at home,
school, or other locations in the community) Prepare referrals for
services and determine through interviews, school visits, home visits,
and collateral information, the range of services needed Meet regularly
with service providers to ensure that services provided are consistent
with the court order and case plan expectations Develop permanency plans
and determine progress toward permanency goals for youth placed in
out-of-home care Maintain accurate, meaningful, and current case
records, reports, and other documents and correspondence, including all
required documentation in the Wisconsin State Automated Child Welfare
Information System Work collaboratively with schools and a variety of
service providers Perform other work as required or assigned Career
Advantages Competitive hourly rate No on-call after-hours
responsibilities Monday-Friday work schedule 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Opportunity to be a part of a great team Training to learn, grow, and
succeed Competitive benefits package including pension Opportunity for
advancement County issued cell phone and laptop Positive workplace
culture \*\*\*\*\* OTHER EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS: Experience
Minimum of two years relevant work and/or internship experience working
with children and families in juvenile justice/child welfare or similar
field; three or more years of experience preferred Experience working in
the court system Knowledge of the current principles and best practices
of social work Success Factors Knowledge of Wisconsin State Statute
Chapter 938 and state and local laws, regulations, and procedures
pertaining to delinquent and school truant youth Knowledge of
evidence-based practices and structured decision making in youth justice
Knowledge of adolescent development and the impact of trauma and
violence Knowledge of motivational interviewing practices Knowledge of
trauma-informed care and case management Knowledge of mental health and
substance abuse and its impact on families Skill in engagement, conflic
resolution, safety management, time management, interviewing,
assessment, and organization Skill in verbal and written communication,
active listening, public speaking, and documentation Ability to gather
and assess information and develop effective case plans and
recommendations Ability to make decisions independently, balancing the
interests of the youth and the community Ability to document case
management electronically Ability to verbally present case information
in court and in various staffing settings Ability to multi-task,
prioritize, and meet time requirements, adapting to unexpected changes
in schedule Ability to de-escalate hostile and defiant clientele while
providing information and referrals Ability to provide feedback to
collateral contacts regarding work expectations and duties Ability to
take accurate notes and details regarding assessment and youth contact
Ability to maintain confidential information Ability to respond to
crisis situations Ability to work respectfully in a diverse and
inclusive environment and remain professional and courteous at all times
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel Other Job Requirements
Valid driver\'s license, acceptable driving record, and access to an
insured vehicle for use in the performance of the job Transporting
clients in personal vehicles may be required Physical Demands 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. The Position
involves light physical demands, such as exerting up to 25 pounds of
force occasionally, and up to 10 pounds of force frequently Vision
standards required by Division of Motor Vehicles to operate a motor
vehicle Ability to visit families in their homes which may include
stairs \*\*\*\*\* APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: Other: To see the complete
job description and to apply for this position, please visit our
website, www.kenoshacountywi.gov/jobs, and click the \"View Open Jobs\"
button. Applications must be submitted no later than Friday, May 1,
2026, at 12:00 noon. Apply Online: www.kenoshacountywi.gov/jobs
Services, a leader and innovator in child welfare, is seeking an
experienced Social Worker/Case Manager who has a passion for improving
the lives of children and families, strong organizational skills, sound
decision making, the ability to work independently and with their team,
and a passion for child safety. The Youth Justice Social Worker/Case
Manager, reporting to the Social Worker Supervisor, provides ongoing
supervision of delinquent youth, juveniles in need of protection and
service, and adjudicated school truants. This position conducts
assessments of youth and families, prepares court reports and other
court documents, creates case plans, makes recommendations for length of
supervision and services, monitors and supports youth\'s compliance with
court orders, maintains case records, performs home visits, and monitors
youth in out-of-home placements. This position requires attending
Juvenile Court hearings, refers families for services, and works
collaboratively with community stakeholders and service providers.
Duties include: Interview Juvenile Court involved youth and their
families to obtain relevant youth and family assessment information
Prepare a disposition report for the court, including youth and family
risks and needs and recommendations for length of supervision and
services needed Represent DCFS and provide testimony in court hearings
Develop treatment plans including specific types of services designed to
help youth reduce delinquent behavior, improve school attendance,
improve decision making, increase youth competency, and improve family
functioning Provide case management including regularly meeting with the
youth and family to continually assess the youth and family\'s needs,
monitoring activities and school attendance, promoting and supporting
successful completion of supervision (client contact occurs at home,
school, or other locations in the community) Prepare referrals for
services and determine through interviews, school visits, home visits,
and collateral information, the range of services needed Meet regularly
with service providers to ensure that services provided are consistent
with the court order and case plan expectations Develop permanency plans
and determine progress toward permanency goals for youth placed in
out-of-home care Maintain accurate, meaningful, and current case
records, reports, and other documents and correspondence, including all
required documentation in the Wisconsin State Automated Child Welfare
Information System Work collaboratively with schools and a variety of
service providers Perform other work as required or assigned Career
Advantages Competitive hourly rate No on-call after-hours
responsibilities Monday-Friday work schedule 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Opportunity to be a part of a great team Training to learn, grow, and
succeed Competitive benefits package including pension Opportunity for
advancement County issued cell phone and laptop Positive workplace
culture \*\*\*\*\* OTHER EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS: Experience
Minimum of two years relevant work and/or internship experience working
with children and families in juvenile justice/child welfare or similar
field; three or more years of experience preferred Experience working in
the court system Knowledge of the current principles and best practices
of social work Success Factors Knowledge of Wisconsin State Statute
Chapter 938 and state and local laws, regulations, and procedures
pertaining to delinquent and school truant youth Knowledge of
evidence-based practices and structured decision making in youth justice
Knowledge of adolescent development and the impact of trauma and
violence Knowledge of motivational interviewing practices Knowledge of
trauma-informed care and case management Knowledge of mental health and
substance abuse and its impact on families Skill in engagement, conflic
resolution, safety management, time management, interviewing,
assessment, and organization Skill in verbal and written communication,
active listening, public speaking, and documentation Ability to gather
and assess information and develop effective case plans and
recommendations Ability to make decisions independently, balancing the
interests of the youth and the community Ability to document case
management electronically Ability to verbally present case information
in court and in various staffing settings Ability to multi-task,
prioritize, and meet time requirements, adapting to unexpected changes
in schedule Ability to de-escalate hostile and defiant clientele while
providing information and referrals Ability to provide feedback to
collateral contacts regarding work expectations and duties Ability to
take accurate notes and details regarding assessment and youth contact
Ability to maintain confidential information Ability to respond to
crisis situations Ability to work respectfully in a diverse and
inclusive environment and remain professional and courteous at all times
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel Other Job Requirements
Valid driver\'s license, acceptable driving record, and access to an
insured vehicle for use in the performance of the job Transporting
clients in personal vehicles may be required Physical Demands 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. The Position
involves light physical demands, such as exerting up to 25 pounds of
force occasionally, and up to 10 pounds of force frequently Vision
standards required by Division of Motor Vehicles to operate a motor
vehicle Ability to visit families in their homes which may include
stairs \*\*\*\*\* APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: Other: To see the complete
job description and to apply for this position, please visit our
website, www.kenoshacountywi.gov/jobs, and click the \"View Open Jobs\"
button. Applications must be submitted no later than Friday, May 1,
2026, at 12:00 noon. Apply Online: www.kenoshacountywi.gov/jobs