Social Worker (Youth Justice) - Waukesha County

Waukesha County's Department of Health & Human Services is recruiting for a talented Social Worker to join its Youth Justice on-going unit. The purpose of Adolescent and Family Services’ is to serve individuals and families of Waukesha County by providing quality and professional services. We strive to use the many formal and informal supports within families and our community to keep children in their home whenever safely possible. We value collaboration and coordination with the families we serve, community professionals, and within our department to implement effective prevention and intervention strategies. We are committed to providing the appropriate level of intervention and protection, while encouraging youth and families to utilize their strengths toward independence and self-sufficiency whenever possible. While adhering to legal mandates, our work will be conducted in an atmosphere of respect, compassion, and confidentiality.  
 
Youth Justice Social Workers in the Adolescent and Family Division serve youth who have been referred for delinquent acts, truancy, and uncontrollability. Youth Justice Social Workers provide court monitoring, family work, risk and needs assessments, and case planning to youth and families on an ongoing basis. Here are some key values associated with youth justice on-going work:

1. Rehabilitation: The primary goal of the youth justice system, in addition to maintaining community safety, are skill development, restorative practices, and providing the resources necessary to build competencies to enable success in community settings. Youth Justice on-going services aim to identify the needs of the youth and provide appropriate interventions, such as counseling, education, or community service, to address underlying issues that may have contributed to their involvement in delinquent behavior.  
2. Best interests of the child: Youth Justice services prioritize the welfare and best interests of the youth. This involves considering factors such as the youth's age, developmental stage, family circumstances, and any special needs or vulnerabilities they may have.
3. Prevention of future delinquency: Youth Justice services focus on identifying risk factors and protective factors associated with the youth's behavior through the use of the Youth Assessment and Screening Instrument (YASI). The aim is to determine risk level, develop strategies to prevent future delinquent behavior and promote positive youth development.
4. Community safety: While rehabilitation is a central focus, Youth Justice services also focus on public safety. Interventions and dispositions are tailored not only to address the needs of the youth but also to protect the community from potential harm.
5. Accountability: Although the emphasis is on rehabilitation, youth are held accountable for their actions. Youth Justice services may involve discussions and services with and for youth about the consequences of their behavior and the importance of taking responsibility for their actions.

These values guide the decision-making process during youth justice involvement and shape the interventions and dispositions that are recommended for youth who come into contact with the youth justice system.
 
Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Family Assessments/Engagement                                  
•  Safety Assessments/Interventions    
•  Counseling/Interventions                                                
•  Child Abuse/Neglect Assessments
•  Crisis Intervention                                                            
•  Case Documentation in eWiSACWIS
•  School Collaboration/Coordination/Intervention              
•  Referral and Collaboration with Providers and Community Resources
•  Written and Verbal Court presentation                            
•  Case Management/Service Coordination                        
•  Youth Assessment and Screening Instrument 
•  Family First Act/Family Find Initiative         

 
Work Schedule     
 40-hours a week, Monday through Friday 8AM to 4:30PM, with the ability to flex your schedule when it is necessary to work evenings to meet family needs. We can offer remote work up to 50% of a pay period after certain requirements are met.
 
Work Requirements
Social Workers in the Adolescent and Family Division are responsible for meeting with their clients in a variety of settings including the office, client homes, schools, and community locations. Social Workers are responsible for transporting themselves, and at times clients, to these appointments and are expected to have some daily driving responsibilities, generally not exceeding two hours per day. Social Workers must have the ability to respond to crisis and be flexible in their schedules. Social Workers must be able to communicate via email, telephone, and in-person and be able to document their work per requirements.

Waukesha County offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits package including excellent health/dental/vision, life insurance, generous paid time off (vacation, 10 holidays, 3 floating holidays, ample accrued sick time that rolls over each year), an exceptional pension plan with employer match and lifetime retirement payment plus an optional tax advantaged 457 retirement savings plan. Amongst many other benefits, employees are recognized and valued through a pay for performance system. Successful candidates will be eligible for performance-based merit increases and non-base performance awards. Employee well-being is promoted through a balanced work-life culture and through an exceptional employee wellness program that offers a variety of programs and tools to help promote an employee's wellness and health, including an on-site health & wellness clinic.

Prior to hiring, the successful candidate will be subject to work/education/certification reference(s) verification, a criminal background and driver's license check.