Initial Assessment Specialist
Introduction:
The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF), Division of Milwaukee Child Protective Services (DMCPS), Bureau of Initial Assessment is currently recruiting to fill several day shift Initial Assessment Specialist positions in Milwaukee, WI. DMCPS works with families to ensure the safety and well-being of children. With its many community partners, DMCPS provides services to families in crisis that help keep children safely in the home. When it is necessary, DMCPS looks to foster and adoptive families to provide appropriate temporary and permanent homes for children who cannot live with their parents.
DCF offers great benefits, personal growth opportunities and work-life balance as a State of Wisconsin employee; and the intrinsic reward associated with serving the children and families of Wisconsin.
This position is headquartered at our DMCPS Office (635 N 26th St, Milwaukee, WI 53233) and will have the option of working remotely for up to 5 days per week. This schedule may change based on training or operational needs. Employees will be required to report to DMCPS Office on their first day of employment. High speed internet access is required to meet the needs of remote work.
Come see why DCF is such a great place to work!
DCF is committed to the important work of helping children, youth and families become safer, more secure and progress down the road to true independence. For more information about DCF, visit our website at http://dcf.wi.gov/.
All state employees must report their COVID vaccination status, whether vaccinated or not and provide supporting documentation if vaccinated. Newly hired employees will be required to submit this information within their first two weeks of employment.
The State of Wisconsin continues to follow necessary health and safety protocols for COVID. Please visit Division of Personnel Management Coronavirus - COVID-19 (wi.gov) for the most up-to-date information. Guidance may be subject to change.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Initial Assessment Specialist in the Initial Assessment Bureau conducts assessments of alleged child abuse and neglect. This involves working with families under stress, including interviewing all household members and completing visits to the child's home and other locations to gather information about the presenting situation/alleged maltreatment. The Initial Assessment Specialist may be required to travel to locations located in high risk, disadvantaged or underserved neighborhoods. The Initial Assessment Specialist analyzes information gathered to make judgments about the safety of children and takes measures necessary to ensure children’s safety; prepares written and oral testimony for Children's Court appearances; maintains current documentation on caseloads; and works in close cooperation with other social service agencies, hospitals, clinics, courts and community resources in planning to meet the needs of children and families. This position is required to participate in 24-hour on-call rotation to ensure continuous provision of access and initial assessment services for children in the community.
For a complete copy of the position description, click here.
SALARY: The starting salary will be $25.10 per hour ($52,208 annually). The pay schedule/range is 12-64. A one-year probationary period may be required. This position may be eligible for:
· Overtime pay (hourly pay x 1.5 for working over 40 hours in a standard work week).
· Night/weekend differential of $0.80/hr. Night Differential=working before 6:00am and/or after 6:00pm.
· Position advancement after 14 months of service (includes a pay increase of $1.86/hr).
· On call rate of $125 per weekday shift and $150 per weekend shift. A reimbursement of $.51 per mile driven in your personal vehicle.
· Future increases will be in accordance with the Governor’s Comp Plan.
Job Details: Due to the nature of this job, additional hours and "on-call" hours will be required, including nights, weekends and holidays. You may also be required to use a personal vehicle during work hours. Employees may be expected to use a personal vehicle when state issued vehicles are unavailable
Final candidates may be required to allow DCF to conduct a security background check to determine whether the circumstances of any pending charges or convictions would be substantially related to the job being filled.
Applicants must be legally entitled to work in the United States (i.e., a citizen or national of the U.S., a lawful permanent resident, an alien authorized to work in the U.S. without DCF sponsorship.) The Department of Children and Families does not sponsor visas, either at time of hire or at any later time.
Qualifications:
You must possess a valid driver's license AND have the ability to meet the minimum State Department of Administration fleet standards listed below:
- Must have a valid driver's license
- Must have a minimum of two years licensed driving experience
- Must be 18 years of age or older
For more information on the fleet standards, please visit State of Wisconsin Fleet Vehicle Policy .
Minimally qualified applicants will have:
- Education or training in social welfare (which may include child and family development, family systems theory, child protective services, crisis intervention theory, dynamics of child abuse and neglect, etc.
- Experience creating (drafting) written reports.
- Experience handling competing priorities.
- Experience making unbiased decisions.
Well-qualified applicants will have:
- Education, training, or experience interpreting and applying child welfare laws and regulations.
- Education or training interviewing diverse populations (which may include families, parents, and children) to gather information and make recommendations.
- Experience handling stressful situations.
- Experience de-escalating situations.
HOW TO APPLY:
If you haven’t already done so, you will need to create an account and apply online. You must apply online to be considered for this position. Application materials will not be accepted if received in an e-mail, as a hard copy or a fax.
After you are logged in and are viewing the announcement, click “Apply Now.” You will be asked to provide your personal information, attach a resume and letter of qualifications, and then complete one assessment question, indicating your interest in consideration for this position. Online applications that do not include all of the requested materials will not be considered.
Your letter of qualifications and resume are very important parts of your application at DCF and are used during our evaluation process to determine your qualifications as they relate to the job. For instructions on developing your resume and letter of qualifications for your DCF application and what should be included in these materials, click here.
Submitted materials will be evaluated by one or more subject matter experts and qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next steps of the selection process, which includes a writing assessment, interview and reference checks.
Veterans with at least a 30% service-connected disability rating should contact the HR Specialist listed in this posting regarding eligibility for consideration under the non-competitive appointment process.
Permanent classified state employees who are eligible for consideration (transfer, voluntary demotion, or former employees as a reinstatement) must complete the application process to apply.
Deadline:
The deadline to apply is 11:59 PM on Wednesday, February 8, 2022. If you need assistance with the online application process, please contact, Debbie Ruelle at 414-343-5814 or via email at Deborahj.ruelle@wisconsin.gov.