PUBLIC SAFETY SOCIAL WORKER
The Public Safety Social Worker is a social work professional embedded within the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office to respond to and provide assessment and navigation to individuals and families involved in incidents involving law enforcement and who are identified as requiring behavioral health assistance (i.e., mental health, child abuse and neglect, welfare checks, family troubles, missing children, runaways, sex offenses, hoardings, or other calls deemed necessary).
This position works directly with law enforcement officers, emergency medical services (EMS) responders, and crisis staff to evaluate and address resident’s needs for care coordination, community resources, and/or crisis intervention, with the goal to achieve stabilization in one’s residence with the aid of their natural supports and/or to establish immediate connection to community resources. The Public Safety Social Worker reports to the Behavioral Health Services Manager.
Kenosha County is committed to Diversity, Belonging and Inclusion and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
2025 Hiring Range: $33.53 - $38.10 per hour
Position Summary and Job Duties
- Respond to behavioral health related calls with police officers to provide on-site crisis intervention or de-escalation support to individuals in need
- Connect individuals or families to immediately needed community services and stay on scene until the responding agency arrives and provides all necessary handoffs
- Conduct follow-up visits, monitor progress, and provide ongoing support to individuals and families to ensure they continue to receive necessary services and support
- Engage with the community to build trust and improve relationships between residents, law enforcement, and behavioral health services; these providers may include but are not limited to: Crisis, Women and Children’s Horizons, Adult Protective Services, Children and Family Services
- Participate in community events and meetings to raise awareness of available services
- Assist with Pre-Trial detentions discharge needs
- Maintain accurate, meaningful, and current case records, reports, and other documents and correspondence, including all required documentation
- Participate in scheduled and requested staffing, debriefing, or training by Sheriff’s Office command staff or Behavioral Health Services administration
- Advocate for the needs of vulnerable populations and work to remove barriers to accessing services
- Perform other duties as assigned
Success Factors
Knowledge of:
- Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS); Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT); evidence-based best practices; and Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR)
- Mental health and substance abuse and how both impact individuals and families
- Current principles and best practices of social work
- Our community’s social and economic problems and their impact on residents
- Law enforcement and community service providers within and surrounding Kenosha County
Skill in:
- Crisis intervention and advanced communication skills used to deescalate aggressive individuals
- Engagement, conflict resolution, safety management, time management, interviewing, assessment, and organization
- Verbal and written communication and documentation
- Interpersonal and active listening skills
- Use of computer applications including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams
Ability to:
- Deal effectively with psychological and environmental problems arising in connection with social work, especially involving emotionally charged situations with individuals and families who have experienced trauma
- Give, receive, and act upon feedback from supervisor and Sheriff’s Office staff in an appropriate manner
- Provide feedback to collateral contacts regarding individuals and families supported
- Work independently and remain self-motivated without constant supervision
- Analyze information or situations, synthesize information and/or circumstances, and solve problems
- Multi-task in a fast-paced work environment, prioritize, and meet time requirements
- Remain composed and professional
- Maintain the confidentiality of all scope of work
- Follow HIPAA standards for all verbal and written communication.
- Adhere to professional ethics
- Maintain professional boundaries with residents and co-workers at all times
- Work respectfully in a diverse and inclusive environment
Job Requirements, Education, Training and Experience
Education and Experience
- Master’s Degree in social work, psychology, criminal justice, or related field
- 1 year of experience working alongside law enforcement or fire/EMS; 3 years of experience preferred
Licenses and Certifications
- Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record required
- State of Wisconsin Social Work Certification preferred
Other Job Requirements
- Background free of felony convictions
- Ability to access FBI/CIB portals and consent to be fingerprinted
- Ability to respond in person to the scene within approximately 90 minutes of notification, if off duty
- Ability to work variable shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays
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.
- Moderate physical demands, such as exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and up to 10 pounds of force frequently
- Frequent standing and/or sitting for extended periods of time; walking for extended periods of time; stooping, bending, climbing stairs; required to drive vehicle; and constant use of a computer
- Frequent repetitive motion and reaching
- Constant requirement to hear normal speech; constant hearing on telephone and radio; ability to hear faint sounds; constant talking on telephone/radio
- Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other devices and objects
- Potential contact with hostile individuals; exposure to emergency situations; may be exposed to trauma, grief and death; frequent public contact; decision-making and concentration
- Vision standards required by Division of Motor Vehicles to operate a motor vehicle
Selection Process
- Application Review - Qualifying
- Oral Interview - Qualifying
- Background Investigation - Qualifying
- Physical/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.
Applications must be submitted no later than Sunday, January 26, 2025.
To learn more about the Kenosha County Division of Behavioral Health Services, please visit: https://www.kenoshacounty.org/263/Behavioral-Health-Services.
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 NE13 (Min. $33.53 – Max. $42.67 per hour).
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, please visit: https://www.visitkenosha.com/
Thank you for your interest in employment with Kenosha County!
Kenosha County is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer.