ACCESS Initial Assessment Specialist – Second Shift

The Vision of the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families is that all Wisconsin children and youth are safe and loved members of thriving families and communities. In conjunction with the Department’s Vision, the Division of Milwaukee Child Protective Services (DMCPS) is committed to Safe Children and Healthy Families in Milwaukee County.

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and families in Milwaukee County? Do you want to work in a dynamic and supportive environment that offers comprehensive training and professional development opportunities? If so, you might be interested in applying for the position of Second Shift Initial Assessment Specialist-Access Section at the Division of Milwaukee Child Protective Services (DMCPS), in Milwaukee, WI.

To further learn about the specific work that an Initial Assessment Specialists does, we highly recommend that you watch the 20-minute video which features actual child welfare staff who share their perspective on the work. Please click on the link below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Si-JX61LkDo&ampfeature=youtu.be.

DCF is a great place to work! We foster a workplace that cultivates positive staff morale and a welcoming and inclusive work environment that integrates equity and inclusion values. DCF supports our employees through comprehensive training on the models we use in our work such as trauma informed practice, as well as opportunities to grow through professional development opportunities. We value all our employees and believe we are successful because of their dedication and work. As an employee of the State of Wisconsin, you will also have access to great benefits , personal growth opportunities, work-life balance as a State of Wisconsin employee, the Well Wisconsin Program, an inviting office atmosphere, access to an employee assistance program, the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, and an office which is conveniently located near Downtown Milwaukee, the Deer District, and the Summerfest grounds.

Location Details:

This position is headquartered at our DMCPS Office (635 N 26th St, Milwaukee, WI 53233). The first 2 to 6 months will be a training period, based on experience with child protective services. This training includes both Access Onboarding and shadowing, in addition to Professional Development Training. The hours for each comprehensive training may vary based on the training schedule. The Access on-boarding and shadowing are scheduled during second shift, whereas the Professional Development training require that you attend in office for up to 5 days a week with typical hours from 8 am to 5 pm. The training will include classroom and field training.

After the training period, employees will have the option of working on in a hybrid (remote and/or in office) schedule up to 95% of the time. This schedule may change based on training or organizational needs. Employees will be required to report to the DMCPS office on their first day of employment. Personal access to high-speed internet is required to meet the needs of hybrid work when you are not at the office building.

Don’t miss this opportunity to join the DMCPS team and make a positive impact in the lives of children and families in Milwaukee County. Apply today!

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/ .

The State of Wisconsin continues to follow necessary health and safety protocols for COVID-19. Please visit Division of Personnel Management Coronavirus – COVID-19 (wi.gov) for the most up-to-date information. Guidance may be subject to change.

The primary responsibilities of the Initial Assessment Specialist in Access include receiving reports of alleged child abuse and neglect from a variety of community reporters via telephone, letter, fax, and email from a variety of reporters such as law enforcement and schools. Gather and analyze information from reporters utilizing an assessment model. Provide information to the reporters, collateral contacts and other professionals about the responsibilities associated with Child Protective Services. Provide appropriate community resource referral information to reporters and collateral contacts. This position may provide consultative services and intervention services to clients and members of their families to aid them in achieving a more satisfactory adjustment of their specific problems or situation. Participate in 24 hour on call rotation for the after-hours program as indicated by the Division of Milwaukee Child Protective Services policies and procedures to ensure continuous provision of access and Initial Assessment services within Milwaukee County.

For a complete copy of the position description, click here.

Typical 2 nd shift hours may be between 2:00PM and 10:30PM. Hours may vary based on the needs of the position in assessing child safety. Due to the nature of this job, additional hours may be required to ensure child safety before a shift is ended.

The classification title for this position is Initial Assessment Specialist. The starting salary is $26.11 to $29.11 per hour ($54,308 to $60,548 annually), depending on qualifications. Pay for current State of WI employees will be based on the compensation plan in effect at the time of the appointment. The pay schedule/range is 12-64. A one-year probationary period may be required. This position includes:

• Overtime pay (hourly pay x 1.5 for working over 40 hours in a standard work week), when position necessitates.
• Night/weekend differential of $0.80/hr. Night Differential=working before 6:00am and/or after 6:00pm.
• Eligibility for position advancement to Senior level after 14 months of service (includes a pay increase).
• “On call” rate of $125 per weekday shift and $150 per weekend/holiday shift, in addition to hourly pay for any hours worked during the shift. “On call” includes rotational and voluntary sign ups by staff.
• A reimbursement of $.51 per mile driven in your personal vehicle.
• Future increases will be in accordance with the Governor’s Compensation Plan.

Due to the nature of the position, 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.

Minimally qualified applicants will have:

Well-qualified applicants will have:

• Experience, training and/or education in social welfare, social science, or related field (which may include law enforcement, emergency medical or fire services, child and family welfare, counseling, psychology, health education, behavioral health, etc.).
• Experience writing and interpreting information orally to clients or customers.
• Experience handling competing priorities.

Well-qualified applicants will have:

• Associate Degree or higher in social welfare, social science, or related field (which may include law enforcement, child and family welfare, counseling, psychology, health education, behavioral health, etc.).
• Experience working in a call center environment.
• Experience conducting interviews, and gathering, synthesizing and analyzing information to form a conclusion or make a recommendation. Experience handling stressful situations.
• Experience making unbiased decisions.
• Experience using case management database, such as EWISACWIS.

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. Online applications that do not include all of the requested materials will not be considered.

Both a resume and letter of qualification are required. If both documents are not submitted during the application process, your application will be disqualified. 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 step of the selection process, which includes an oral interview and writting sample assessment.

The State of Wisconsin is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer seeking a diverse and talented workforce. Veterans, women, people of color, LGBTQIA+, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities.

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.

The deadline to apply is 11:59 PM on May 20 th , 2024 . 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.

Please see the Commonly Asked Questions for general wisc.jobs user information and technical assistance.

The anticipated start date for this position is July 29, 2024.