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Social Worker Supervisor - Ongoing Services Unit

Kenosha County
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SOCIAL WORKER SUPERVISOR

Ongoing Services Unit

Kenosha County is seeking a candidate who is passionate about fulfilling our mission to promote the safety and well-being of the child, family, and community by providing services to children, youth, and families that are delivered in a respectful, culturally competent manner and are intended to maximize the strengths and empower individuals.

Experienced supervisors and social workers who are passionate about promoting the safety and well-being of children, families, and the community are encouraged to apply for this outstanding career opportunity with Kenosha County’s Division of Children and Family Services.

Supervisors in child welfare play a pivotal role in translating and fulfilling their agencies' missions and values. Effective supervision enhances staff performance and retention and can lead to improved outcomes for children and families. Kenosha County offers other benefits in this position such as:

  • Monday through Friday work schedule – no after hours or weekends other than for special events
  • Positive workplace culture and opportunities
  • County issued cell phone and laptop
  • Leadership training and career development
  • Kenosha County is located along the shores of Lake Michigan and less than an hour away from Milwaukee or Chicago.  Kenosha has a lot to offer in recreation, the arts, commerce, education and more.

2025 Hiring Range:  $76,859 - $91,499 annually

 

Position Summary and Job Duties

The Ongoing Services Unit Supervisor, under direction of the Children and Family Services Manager, is one of two supervisors providing leadership and co-supervision to the 14 social workers in the unit.

This position will provide supervision, direction and guidance to staff providing ongoing services to families that have experienced child abuse and neglect. In addition, this position will review and approve court documentation, including court reports, case plans, permanency plans and safety assessments, analysis and plans. This supervisor ultimately guides and supervises social workers in achieving permanent safe homes for children.

The supervisor assures that all state standards and statutes are followed by social work staff. This position is also responsible for hiring staff, conducting employee performance evaluations and overall staff development. In addition, this position develops cooperative relationships between the Division, the Courts, other County offices, service agencies, schools and other key community stakeholders.

  • Lead, supervise, and assign cases to Ongoing Services Unit social workers, ensuring caseload coverage
  • Ensure that all state statutes and standards are followed, ensuring safety, permanence and well-being for children and their families served in the Ongoing Services Unit 
  • Review and approve protective plans, safety assessments, safety plans, and all court documentation
  • Determine the need for ongoing support and services to children and families who may need court intervention and placement of children into foster care
  • Review and approve permanency plans, case plans, dispositional reports
  • Provide guidance, support, and direction to social work staff as they assess child safety, respond to crisis situations, case plan, create permanency plans, and ensure service provision
  • Ensure casework meets state standards, statutes, and reporting requirements while maintaining quality, timeliness, and compliance
  • Provide leadership and guidance in concurrent case planning, case planning and permanency goals
  • Represent DCFS in multidisciplinary staffings or in the community, as needed
  • Collaborate with other community stakeholders and serve as a member of multi-disciplinary teams focused on ensuring safety, permanence and well-being for children and their families
  • Assure compliance with Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 48, The Wisconsin Indian Child Welfare Act, Child Protective Services Safety Intervention Standards and Wisconsin’s Ongoing Services Standards
  • May provide testimony in court hearings
  • Hire, onboard, and oversee the development and supervision of training plans for all new employees
  • Conduct employee performance evaluations and seek educational opportunities to develop staff knowledge, skills and effectiveness
  • Monitor purchase of service contracts, performance, and program budgets
  • Provide coverage in all DCFS units
  • Perform other duties as required or assigned

Success Factors

Knowledge of:

  • Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 48 and 938 and the Wisconsin Indian Child Welfare Act
  • Child Protective Services Access and Initial Assessment Standards
  • Child Protective Services Safety Intervention Standards
  • Ongoing Services Standards
  • Mandated reporting laws
  • Community resources, group dynamics, child development, and signs of child abuse and neglect
  • The impact of trauma and the impact of parental substance abuse, mental illness, and domestic violence on parental protective capacities.

Skill in:

  • Sound decision making and critical thinking
  • Strong leadership, management and supervision, planning, coordination, facilitation, and organization
  • Grant and report writing
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
  • Engagement, conflict resolution, safety management, time management, interviewing, and assessment
  • Effective verbal and written communication, presentation, public speaking and documentation
  • Interpersonal and active listening skills

Ability to:

  • Speak in a large group setting clearly and concisely
  • Provide effective leadership through direct supervision, performance monitoring, case consultation, and feedback on expectations and duties; delegate tasks and ensure completion
  • Work and make decisions independently, balancing the interests of the youth and the community
  • Multi-task, prioritize, and meet time requirements
  • Adapt to unexpected changes in schedule and respond quickly and appropriately to crisis situations
  • Adhere to professional ethics and remain professional and courteous at all times
  • Read and interpret data
  • Use eWiSACWIS and other electronic data tracking systems
  • Conduct performance evaluations
  • Create a culture of employee engagement
  • Promote inclusivity and effectively engage with a diverse workforce and consumer base
  • Work respectfully in a diverse and inclusive environment

Job Requirements, Education, Training and Experience

Required Education and Experience

  • Bachelor’s Degree, from an accredited college or university, in social work or a related field
  • 3 – 5 years’ work experience in child protective services/child welfare/foster care
  • 2 years’ experience in a supervisory role, or in a role of team leadership and decision-making
  • Knowledge of the current principles and best practices of social work
  • Or any combination of education, training, and experience which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the job

Preferred Education and Experience

  • Master’s Degree, from an accredited college or university, in social work or a related field
  • 5 or more years’ work experience in child protective services/child welfare
  • 2 or more years’ work experience as a supervisor
  • Wisconsin Social Worker Certification or ability to obtain within two years of employment

Other Job Requirements

  • Valid driver’s license and auto insurance
  • Access to a personal vehicle to commute between County buildings and meeting locations

Benefits

  • Health, dental, and vision insurance effective first of month following 30 days of employment with the ability to reduce premium contribution through participation in a wellness program
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Paid Time Off
  • Volunteer Paid Time Off
  • Twelve Paid Holidays
  • Retirement Plan:  Participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System which includes county-paid life insurance
  • Tuition Reimbursement

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 moderate physical demands, such as exerting up to 40 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

Selection Process

  • Application Review - Qualifying
  • Oral Interview - Qualifying
  • Background Check - Qualifying
  • Physical Examination/Drug Screen - Qualifying

If you require accommodations at any point in the selection process because of a disability, please notify Human Resources in advance for arrangements.

To learn more about the DCFS Ongoing Services Unit, please visit:  http://www.kenoshacountywi.gov/250/-Child-Family-Services

Applications must be submitted no later than Sunday, May 4, 2025.

 

Kenosha County is a Wisconsin Retirement System participating employer.  Your participation is required, which includes an employee contribution.

The pay grade for this position is E10 (Min. $76,859 – Max $106,139 annually).

This position is located in Kenosha County, a growing community along the shores of Lake Michigan and less than an hour away from Milwaukee and Chicago.  To see why Kenosha County is a great place to live, work, and play, visit:  https://www.visitkenosha.com/

Thank you for your interest in employment with Kenosha County!

Kenosha County is an equal opportunity employer.