JSS - SOCIAL SERVICE SPECIALIST

About La Crosse County:

At La Crosse County, we are committed to creating a vibrant, safe, and inclusive community. Guided by our Strategic Plan, we focus on economic growth, environmental stewardship, affordable housing, and robust public services that enhance the quality of life for all residents.

Why Join La Crosse County?

• Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS): A top\-rated pension program.
• Affordable Insurance Premiums: Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage.
• Generous Paid Time Off: Vacation, sick, and 10\+ paid holidays annually.
• Work\-Life Balance: Flexible schedules and wellness programs.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB):

At La Crosse County, we believe that diversity strengthens our community. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where all employees feel valued.

Overview

FLSA: Non\-Exempt This role provides office/clerical support, justice\-system and resource navigation, and extraordinary customer service to participants in the Justice Support Services Section of the Human Services Department as well as various other community members and stakeholders. Duties involve assisting individuals transitioning from incarceration or other justice\-system involvement back into the community through resource navigation and support, monitoring daily activities of participants who are court ordered to electronic monitoring and recording and reporting this information, facilitating drug and alcohol testing, and assisting. This role interacts with several agencies and persons, including jail inmates, community resources, and justice\-system partners. There is a strong preference for candidates who bring lived experience to the role.

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

Assists program clients with all aspects of case conditions that they are required to meet.

Maintains confidentiality of client\-related information, maintains respectful treatment of clients, and adheres to the La Crosse County Standards of Conduct in the Administrative Code (3\.08\).

Maintains skill and competence levels as policies and procedures change by attending department/staff meetings and by participating in continuing training as required and appropriate.

This role provides a variety of services including, but not limited to:

Frequent contact with participants and many external stakeholders (i.e. court, law enforcement, community agencies, family members, and the general public).

Arranges for or assists participants with a range of supportive services to facilitate reaching their goals, i.e. financial, housing, access to social and physical supports, physical navigation of courthouse and/or transportation to community resources.

Engages and facilitates relationships with community agencies. Hooks up GPS and Remote Breath devices for participants. Advises the participants of the program rules and the operation of the device. This function requires physical contact with participant.

Trouble\-shoots equipment issues, submits schedules, accesses GPS database, reviews reports and documents notable events. Observes participant alcohol and drug testing, documents notable events, and delivers samples to the lab for testing.

Gathers and organizes data and generates reports as assigned. Assists professional staff in delivery of services or functions.

Interviews clients to assist professional staff such as determining eligibility for services and providing referral information.

Assists in maintaining case records and reports.

Organizes and disseminate documents, reports and letters. Keeps basic records and routine supportive paperwork.

Tracks clients, caseloads or service programs. Conducts risk and needs assessments.

Receives referrals via phone, walk\-in, mail or computer and enter information in computer database. Gathers necessary data in order to provide options to people accessing JSS services.

Performs administrative duties: answers phone, takes messages, handles inquiries, and refers callers to appropriate personnel and/or resources. Completes progress notes and submits written correspondence to internal and external stakeholders, and uses various office equipment (i.e. computer, telephone, copier, and fax).

Physical demands: Walks and moves about the office and collection room. Moves from desk to other areas of county buildings including the County Jail. Stands and reaches. Sits at desk. Uses hands and fingers for installing monitoring devices and for holding and handling urine collection containers. Uses hearing and near vision. Uses fingering for data entry and word processing and other office machines. Uses oral communication to give clear instruction to participants, callers, and department staff. Handles papers and manuals, etc. Some time is spent standing and reaching to perform filing or other duties, and lifting files, copy paper and other office materials. Work includes weekday hours and hours in the evening and on weekends during the day. Tasks may involve exposure to blood/body fluids.

Related Job Functions

May require availability to work evenings and/or weekends to meet client needs.

This job description is not intended to encompass every job duty or responsibility but is only illustrative. This position is required to perform other duties as may be assigned or required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of persons, including jail inmates, and to deal with the public and to establish good working relationships with County officials, related agencies and other employees.

Ability to keenly observe activities of program participants.

Ability to operate general office equipment such as word processor and copying machines.

Ability to make simple computations either manually or by machine.

Aptitude for administrative operations.

Ability to manage different types of electronic monitoring equipment.

Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions of specific nature.

Ability to read, write and calculate release dates.

Ability to enter data accurately, perform basic word processing functions, use e\-mail and other computer programs.

Ability to work with confidential records and keep confidentiality.

Ability to use independent judgment in carrying out assigned tasks.

Ability to keep a variety of records.

Training, Experience and Other Requirements

Graduation from an accredited high school or GED.

Previous experience in an office setting or customer service position with proven record of handling attention to details accurately and follow\-up/thoroughness skills.

Experience using computer databases, web\-based programs and other computer software. Experience using GPS (global positioning) software is a plus.

There is a strong preference for candidates who bring lived experience to the role.

Preference for persons who have worked with the jail inmate population.

Experience working with persons who are chemically dependent or who have mental illness is helpful. Good interpersonal and verbal skills for dealing appropriately with jail inmates and the public.

Must be patient, have pleasant disposition and ability to multitask while displaying a calm demeanor.

Must have flexibility in availability for work which will include weekday, weekend, holiday and evening hours.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

La Crosse County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

If you need accommodations for a disability during the selection or interview process, please get in touch with Human Resources at jobs@lacrossecounty.org.

Application Process:

All applications must be submitted through our career website. Please ensure your application is complete and accurate,our hiring process highly values attention to detail.