HSS Team Lead with Outagamie County DHHS Children Youth and Families

Reporting to a Children, Youth and Families Division Supervisor, the Human Services Specialist (HSS) Lead provides direct or indirect client services and support. The Human Services Specialist Lead assists the HSS and Home Consultant (HC) supervisors with the assignment of tasks to the HSS and HC staff. This position will work with the child protection case managers/social work staff (CM/SW) to perform related lead duties in both intake and ongoing units to ensure that all of the required paperwork and tasks related to case management are completed in designated child protection cases.

Work hours are generally Monday through Friday between 8 am to 4:30 pm with flexibility to work evenings meet client needs. 

The position does offer the opportunity to apply to work remotely one day per week upon approval from the leadership team.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package for this role:
https://www.outagamie.org/government/departments-f-m/human-resources

 Key Responsibilities:

The following duties are most critical for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Maintain knowledge of Federal and State rules, regulations, and Administrative Codes that impact Child Protective Services including; Wisconsin State Statue Chapter 48, Wisconsin Child Protective Service Access, and Initial Assessment and On-going Standards.
• Provide quality assurance over certain legal Children in Need of Protection and/or Services (CHIPS), Termination of Parental Rights (TPR), and Transfer of Guardianship files.
• Assist the HSS and HC supervisors in training HSS and HC staff in various areas including TPR or TOG packets, discovery, educational passports, quality assurance tracking, and supervised visitation calendaring and follow up.
• Assist supervisors in  determining case assignments and overseeing the HSS/HC’s work
• Review case files of families being referred for TPR or TOG providing a summary of past history and pertinent and relevant information in the case management of the current file as directed by the supervisor or manager.
• Completes final review of TPR and TOG paperwork prior to submission to the assigned social worker and supervisor.
• In cases of trial preparation by social workers for a TPR legal process, assist in the organization of all discovery and evidence.
• Review court orders, attachments and notifications for accuracy.
• Obtain releases of information signed by case participants and update annually as needed in designated cases.
• Respond to Discovery requests including redacting records as needed and working with the CM/SW and system support to ensure the timely dissemination of Discovery to the District Attorney's office.
• Receive and document reports of abuse and neglect through the Access function.
• Enter accurate information and data into the Electronic Wisconsin Automated Child Welfare Information System (e-Wisacwis).
• Navigate CARES, KIDS and Accurint to find relevant case participants and to report on paternity.
• Review, assign, and supervise parenting time/family interactions.
• Monitor and review work of the HSS and HC to ensure work is completed accurately and timely.
• Provides timely feedback on HSS and HC performance to the assigned supervisor.

 Education/Certifications/Experience Requirements:

• High School diploma or equivalent is required.
• Bachelor’s degree or Associate's Degree in Human Services or related field preferred. Three to four years of experience with the respective target group preferred.
• Experience with services to persons involved in the child welfare system.
• Valid Wisconsin Driver's license and use of own vehicle.  Ability to transport oneself and others from location to location in an efficient, safe, and expedient manner.

 Required or Preferred Skills:

• Ability to communicate effectively with clients and family members, community agencies and service providers, psychiatrists, physicians, and other medical professionals, attorneys, HSS, HC, CM/SW, school personnel, and others verbally and in writing.
• Skill in organization including paperwork, time management and prioritization of crisis demands.
• Displays a high level of initiative, effort and commitment towards completing assignments efficiently and accurately.  Works well in independent project development and adapts easily to multiple projects, assignments and deadlines.
• Ability to adhere to professional ethics and standards and maintain confidentiality and accountability.
• Knowledge of and demonstrated ability to conform to goals, policies, and procedures of the Department as well as the Outagamie County Work Rules and Terms of Employment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, other county and agency employees, the courts, and the general public.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide, calculate decimals and percent’s, and make use of the principles of descriptive statistics.  Ability to interpret and analyze complex data with a high degree of accuracy.
• Ability to comprehend and interpret a variety of documents including client charts, medical, accident, and other reports; psychological evaluations and other assessment reports, school records, professional literature, policy and procedure manuals, diagnostic manuals, etc.
• Ability to assist in the preparation of a variety of documents including client records, referrals, court reports, intake and assessment records, case notes, individual treatment plans, letters and other correspondence, etc.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office, Word, and Excel; Knowledge of eWisacwis and TCM.
• Knowledge of community resources and programs available within the County.
• Ability to operate a variety of office equipment including personal computer, photocopier, calculator, and telephone.