Lead Social Worker/Case Manager (Children and Families Unit)

This full-time position provides lead support within the Children and Families Unit and handles Foster Care and Kinship Coordination duties for Burnett County. This includes supervising professional Unit staff and managing caseloads in Foster Care licensing, Kinship Coordination, and related permanency support services. The position assists the Unit Supervisor with leadership, program compliance, training, and reporting. The Lead Worker will participate in after-hours rotations in a supervisory role to support staff decision-making. The role may also support caseloads as assigned. Additional duties are performed as directed by the supervisor or in their absence.

Essential Functions of the Position:

Leadership and Unit Support

• Provides direct assistance to the Unit Supervisor with case assignments, work distribution, screening, and approval tasks.
• Acts as the leading training resource for onboarding new staff; supports training and staff development.
• Assists in monitoring the Unit’s performance to ensure benchmarks and standards are met.
• Supervises staff as assigned and provides feedback to the Supervisor regarding work performance.
• Supports the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and yearly reports and presents them to stakeholders as needed.
• Attends regional and statewide meetings to stay informed about program updates and ensure compliance.
• May carry additional caseloads to support the Unit, as needed.
• Serves in rotation with the Unit Supervisor for juvenile intake consultations.

Foster Care and Kinship Coordination / Subsidized Guardianship / Child Care

• Manages orientation, recruitment, and application processing for foster, kinship, and respite caregivers.
• Provides caregiver support through resource navigation, permanence planning, and training coordination.
• Coordinates and documents Subsidized Guardianship efforts and conducts annual reviews.
• Completes SAFE assessments and detailed licensing studies; maintains documentation in eWiSACWIS.
• Coordinates child placement, respite care, and licensing renewals.
• Acts as the Uniform Foster Care Rate setter; collaborates with the Fiscal Supervisor to approve rates and ensure billing accuracy.
• Completes intercounty, ICPC, and tribal home studies; collaborates with ICW partners on shared cases.
• Oversees subcontracting for Child Care Certification services, including monitoring and compliance.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Guidance and Counseling, Criminal Justice or closely related field.
• Current Social Worker Certification preferred.
• At least two years of experience as a county Child Welfare Social Worker/Case Manager.
• Ability to pass required background checks.
• A valid Driver's license required.

To Apply:

Download the required Burnett County employment application > Employment Section on www.burnettcountywi.gov, and email to Human Resources at [email protected] or call 715-349-2181, ext. 2135.