SOCIAL WORKER - ISRS

Welcome to La Crosse County — Where Your Work Truly Matters Every day, our unique teams contribute to our vision of a community that is vibrant, safe, and resilient. Whether you're supporting families, safeguarding natural resources, maintaining infrastructure, or delivering essential services, your work here creates real impact for the people who live, work, and visit our county. What You’ll Gain by Joining Us • A Future You Can Count On: Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), one of the most respected pension programs in the nation. • Reliable, Affordable Coverage: Countywide insurance plans plus growing access to local, no-cost care options for everyday health needs. • Time Off That Works For You: You’ll have two dedicated banks of vacation and sick time, giving you the freedom to plan real downtime when you need it—and the peace of mind to take care of yourself when you’re under the weather. ◦ Start earning vacation and sick time your very first day ◦ Bank up to 2× your annual vacation accrual ◦ Build up to 150 sick days as a full time employee A Place Where Everyone Belongs We believe our workforce should reflect the community we serve. We’re committed to fostering a culture of respect, inclusion, and belonging—because diverse perspectives lead to better outcomes for everyone. Overview FLSA: Exempt This is the entry level Social Worker position in ISRS working with youth in Comprehensive Community Service (CCS) and Children's Long-term Support Waiver (CLTSW) programs. Under supervision, this employee assists clients with environmental and supportive services designed to overcome financial, personal health or family problems; conducts individual or family assessment to determine services needed; provides agency services when appropriate; and refers clients for other community services when needed. Services to clients may take the form of protective actions in their behalf or on behalf of the community. Essential Leadership Functions Act with Integrity and Build Trust • Demonstrate mutual respect, humility, and honesty in all interactions • Speak up appropriately, even when expressing unpopular viewpoints • Actively listen and remain open-minded to diverse perspectives Drive for Results • Set clear goals and objectives to motivate self and others to achieve outcomes • Seek new opportunities to improve processes and drive sustainable results • Hold self and others accountable through consistent evaluation and monitoring Develop Talent and Effective Teams • Foster a collaborative environment that encourages knowledge sharing and growth • Provide mentorship and support to help self and others reach full potential • Recognize and leverage diverse strengths within self and team Lead with Vision and Strategy • Understand and communicate a compelling vision that aligns with organizational goals • Develop and execute comprehensive strategies to achieve long-term objectives • Connect daily work to the bigger picture, inspiring self and others to contribute meaningfully Lead with Paradoxical, Critical, and Agile Thinking • Navigate complex situations by considering multiple perspectives • Adapt quickly to changes and uncertainties in the work environment • Make critical decisions using analytical skills, experience, and input from others Build and Maintain Effective Relationships • Communicate and collaborate effectively with stakeholders across the organization • Influence others through coaching, consulting, and team-minded thinking • Develop and sustain partnerships that create positive outcomes for all stakeholders Cultivate Community Engagement and Provide Excellent Service • Understand and address the needs and concerns of the community • Incorporate community perspectives into decision-making processes • Drive initiatives that create positive impacts beyond the organization Demonstrate Emotional Intelligence • Show self-awareness and manage emotions effectively in challenging situations • Seek and respond constructively to feedback, even in the face of setbacks • Balance empathy with accountability when leading self and working with others Essential Job Functions Demonstrates self-leadership, seeks out opportunities for personal growth and development, accepts feedback and demonstrates ability to learn and apply. Shares ideas and demonstrates respect, humility, honesty, and open-minded thinking. Demonstrates flexibility, acceptance of change and emotional intelligence. Takes initiative and demonstrates the ability to think critically and strategically. Participates as a contributing member of the team and brings authentic self to discussions regarding all aspects of the work. Demonstrates ability to build and maintain effective relationships. Contributes positively to an inclusive workplace. Provides social services per Wisconsin Statutes, court policies, and/or requirements of the program, state, or federal guidelines. Accepts requests and referrals for agency services. Conducts thorough assessments through interviews, home visits and collateral contacts, to determine the range of services needed by these individuals and their families for preventative, habilitative or rehabilitative services. Explains the scope of the agency's services and discusses the client's rights and responsibilities in relation to the use of such services. Arranges or provides for appropriate social services for clients based on assessments of needs. Conducts regular case evaluations and develops and updates service plans accordingly. Coordinates or participates in care conferences. Testifies in court as necessary or required. Inputs data in computer and uses various other computer programs, the internet, La Crosse County intranet, and email. Physical demands: Large percentage of time is spent talking and hearing. Approximately half the time is spent sitting and using near and far vision, low fingering and low (35 lbs.) carrying. A limited amount of time is spent standing, walking, climbing (using feet and legs), reaching, low to medium lifting and carrying. Occasionally transports/carries a child or assists in transferring an adult. Occasionally it is necessary to stoop, kneel, and bend/twist. There is the threat of physical attack or injury from clients in unusual situations. Uses automobile, telephones, copy machines, computer/keyboard, dictating equipment. In this public service position, employee is required to be courteous, cooperative and respectful at all times, with the public and clients. Also establishes and maintains a courteous, cooperative and respectful working relationship with other employees, supervisors and public officials. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Knowledge of the philosophy, history and development of social welfare programs. Basic knowledge and understanding of human growth and behavior. Knowledge of current and social economic problems and the way in which these problems affect families and individuals. Knowledge of laws, regulations and practices pertaining to federal and state public welfare programs. Knowledge of resources for community welfare and health, and ways in which these resources may be used by people in need. Ability to work with diverse population. Ability to relate to people in an unprejudiced and understanding manner with concerns for their circumstances and feelings. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively. Ability to plan and organize work to most effectively achieve program objectives. Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions. Ability to participate in, and appropriately use, available supervision. Ability to participate meaningfully in training provided by the agency, State Department, the University of Wisconsin Extension, and other resources. Comprehensive knowledge of the human services system. Knowledge of how to access area resources. Skill in written and oral communication. Ability to successfully facilitate groups and work well with diverse groups of people. Ability to focus on strengths, accurately listen, develop trust of team members, understand multiple perspectives, and intervene on ineffective team behavior. Ability to accept feedback without reacting defensively. Training, Experience and Other Requirements Requires graduation from an accredited college or university with a major in Social Work (or any related college degree such as Sociology, Psychology or Criminal Justice). Minimum of one year of experience working with the same population of clients that are served by the unit in which the vacancy occurs, and familiarity with community resources available to them. Requires basic computer keyboarding skills for entering data related to clients. For many positions, must have valid driver's license and access to personal transportation, or other reliable means for city and rural travel. Requires certification by the State of Wisconsin as a Social Worker. If not certified at the time of application for employment with La Crosse County, must have applied to the State of Wisconsin for a Temporary or Training Certificate and obtain regular Certification within specified time limits. Must have experience working with a variety of funding sources. All training and certification courses must be completed within specified timeframes as set forth by the State of Wisconsin. Requires good computer and keyboarding skills for inputting data, and for using various computer programs, including internet, intranet and e-mail. Equal Opportunity Employer We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Need an Accommodation? If you require a disability-related accommodation at any stage of the hiring process, reach out to Human Resources at — we're here to help. Ready to Apply? Submit your application through our online career site. Please double-check your materials before submitting them; complete applications help us move quickly and give every candidate fair consideration.