What are the responsibilities and job description for the Social Worker - Child Welfare Resources (Full-time through 2026) position at Portage County, WI?
The Portage County Health & Human Services department is currently hiring a full-time Social Worker for the Child Welfare Resources section. Please Note: This position is currently funded for up to 40 hours a week and is eligible for benefits, vacation and sick leave accrual. Effective January 1, 2027, the position hours will decrease to 18.5 hours per week and will no longer be eligible for benefits, vacation and sick leave accrual.
Pay range starts at $31.65 / hr
Summary of Position:
This position specializes in developing, implementing, and monitoring Safety and Protective Plans in accordance with Wisconsin Children’s Code (Chapter 48), Wisconsin’s Child Protective Services Safety Intervention Standards, Wisconsin’s Child Protective Services Access and Initial Assessment Standards, and Wisconsin Department of Children’s Ongoing Services Standards. The in-home safety caseworker works closely with assigned CPS staff to provide intensive and short-term services to children at risk for removal from their home. The purpose of this position is to increase parental protective capacities, decrease out-of-home placements, help families develop formal and informal supports and reduce maltreatment to children. This position works non-traditional hours including evenings and weekends and may include unexpected crisis hours.
What are the primary job duties?
Provides Child Welfare Services Regarding Child Abuse and Child Neglect.
- Develops, implements, and monitors comprehensive Protective Plans or Safety Plans in conjunction with the CPS worker.
- Arranges to meet face to face with the family within 24 hours of assignment.
- Arranges to meet at least weekly with the CPS caseworker to ensure the Protective or Safety Plan controls identified danger threats.
- Meets frequently with families to provide and monitor the services that control the family’s specific identified danger threats.
- Arranges and facilitates a Family Team meeting upon assignment and then as requested by the family or CPS.
- Arranges and facilitates all Safety Management Meetings to ensure the CPS caseworker, supervisor, and any safety service providers share a thorough understanding of threats to child safety.
- Documents all contacts made by each provider and ensures all documentation, family information, and family involvement in the program remains confidential and is documented in eWiSACWIS.
- Reassesses safety and if needed, immediately develops, implements and monitors a new Protective Plan or Safety Plan when there is a change in family or household condition.
- Bachelor’s degree in social work or any other human services field required.
- Certification or eligible for certification in Wisconsin as a social worker preferred.
- Two years’ experience in the child protective services within the last five years preferred; one year experience in the juvenile court system within the last five years required, or Masters of Social Work Degree with an emphasis in Child Welfare.
Portage County offers a GREAT benefit package, which includes the following;
- Vacation - available on day one!
- Health insurance- your choice of two health plans- (Health Savings Account associated with a High Deductible Health Plan with a County contribution or a PPO Co-pay plan)
- Wellness incentive plan offered with health insurance enrollment! Earn up to $600 per year!
- Flexible spending account
- Dental insurance
- State of Wisconsin Retirement Plan - County contribution of 7.2%!
- Paid holidays
- Paid sick leave
- Life insurance- premium paid by the County (must work a minimum of 30 hrs/wk)
- Long term disability insurance- premium paid by the County (must work a minimum of 30 hrs/wk)
- EAP (Employee Assistance Plan) - paid by the County
- 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan
- Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program
Portage County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Salary : $600