Family Support Specialist

Job Posting End Date:

08-24-2026

Worker Sub-Type:

Regular

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Position Summary:

The Marathon County Social Services Department has an immediate opening for a Full-time position that will provide diverse support services for families requiring assistance with parenting issues as well providing supervised visitation in various settings.  Position provides program support for Social Workers with the goal of maintaining the child at the home with their parents or supporting reunification.  Services are provided in a variety of locations but predominantly in the family's home and require considerable direct contact.  Timely and thorough written case documentation is required.  Duties include, jointly, parent education through an established evidenced based curriculum as well as supervision of parent-child visitations and evaluations of caretaking abilities to ensure safety in the home and providing supervised visitation services with an emphasis that will focus on ensuring child safety, child/parental skill acquisition, improved family functioning, parent coaching, increase parent/child interactions and community engagement for support and sustainability once the child and/or community are no longer unsafe.

This position teams closely with Social Work staff, community professionals, schools, and foster parents.  A person must have an ability to engage families and develop knowledge in the areas of parenting, AODA and mental health issues, and community resources. This position will require availability on weekdays to include evening hours, as well as weekends (Saturday and Sunday).

As an employee of the Department of Social Services and Marathon County, you will play a crucial role in managing and safeguarding confidential and sensitive information. This position requires a high level of impartiality, integrity, neutrality, and confidentiality. As an employee of the Department of Social Services and Marathon County, you will play a crucial role in managing and safeguarding confidential and sensitive information. This position requires a high level of impartiality, integrity, neutrality, and confidentiality.

Examples of Work Performed:

The following duties are typical of this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required or assigned.

• The following duties are typical for this position.  These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive.  Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Provides supervised visitation and parent education to families being served by Social Services.

• Engages families, assesses needs related to skill training, provides parenting education utilizing an evidence-based curriculum, demonstrates resource enhancement and develops a supportive relationship with families. Teaches and provides support through demonstration, modeling, written materials, videos and parent groups. Establishes connections for families with necessary resources, and uses listening, interviewing and problem solving techniques.

• Provides client transportation.

• Coordinates services for customers with other agency staff as necessary through phone contacts or home visits.

• Operates a computer to produce reports, correspondence, and other typed material.

• Accurately documents all client contacts timely in Electronic Wisconsin State Automated Child Welfare Information System (eWiSACWIS)

• Tracking of program participants and outcomes in spreadsheet developed to closely monitor case participants, services provided, length of involvement and successful/completion of program.

• Conducts announced and unannounced home visits to assure safety for children.

• Administers urinalysis as requested by the social worker.

• Provides court testimony when required.

• Maintains regular and predictable attendance, works extra hours as required.

• Assists social work units with administrative tasks as needed.

• Performs related work as directed and other duties as assigned.

• Provides services in an office setting, in a community setting, or in the home of a biological parent, guardian, or foster family.

Qualifications:

• An Associate’s Degree minimum, Bachelor’s Degree preferred, from an accredited two-year or four-year college or university in social work, social science, sociology, psychology or other related field.  One year experience working with children and families in an area related to child abuse, neglect, and/or delinquency preferred. 

• A valid driver's license and a driving record that meets County standards; OR ability to obtain reliable transportation as needed.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of functions and services provided by the Social Services Department.

• Knowledge of available community child care and other resources.

• Knowledge of child development and positive parenting techniques, including child discipline.

• Ability to follow and understand written and oral instructions.

• Ability to work independently, apply standards and criteria, and exercise judgment in accordance with established program procedures.

• Ability to conduct basic interviews by listening, observing, gathering facts, and recording facts accurately.

• Ability to deal with customers in an empathetic manner, establish effective working relationships with customers, and respond meaningfully to their needs.

• Ability to effectively work with other agency staff and members of the community.

• Ability to organize and maintain information and keep records and file documentation current.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

• Skill in operating a computer to complete data entry and word processing tasks.

Compensation: Starting pay $22.55 per hour + Marathon County benefits

Physical Requirements:

Low Physical Requirements - Job involves minimal physical exertion or movement. This job typically requires prolonged sitting, limited walking, or minor lifting. Job tasks may require working with a computer or in an office setting with occasional movement

All physical requirements are described with the intent to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job.

Selection Procedure:

The selection of the successful candidate may be made by assessment of education and work experience, oral interview, review of references, and/or other job-related selection procedures. Depending on position requirements, the selected candidate may be required to satisfactorily complete post-offer assessments, including but not limited to education verification, background checks, driver license verification, physical examination, psychological assessment, and drug screening paid for by the County.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Marathon County is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against based on age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information or protected veteran status.

Special Accommodations:

Marathon County will make arrangements to furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and services where necessary and reasonable to afford an individual with a disability the opportunity to participate in the recruitment process. Please notify the Employee Resources Department office or phone (715) 261-1451 to request special accommodations prior to the application deadline.

Notice to Applicants:

Wisconsin Statutes, Sections 19.36 (7), 64.09 (5), and 64.11 (7) require public employers to treat the following items as a public record: Each applicant’s application, records, recommendations, and qualifications except as provided in Section 19.36 (7), Wis. Stats. that allows the identity of an applicant to remain confidential if the applicant requests in writing that the County not provide access to this information.  If you choose not to have this information become a public record, you must make such a request in writing to the Employee Resources Department. If you become a finalist for the position, your identity may be disclosed as required by law