JSS - SOCIAL SERVICE SPECIALIST

Overview

This non‑exempt 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 other community members and stakeholders. Duties involve assisting individuals transitioning from incarceration or other justice‑system involvement back into the community, monitoring daily activities of participants who are court‑ordered to electronic monitoring, facilitating drug and alcohol testing, and interacting with agencies such as jail staff, community resources, and justice‑system partners. A strong preference is given to candidates who bring lived experience to the role.

Essential Leadership Functions

• Act with Integrity and Build Trust – demonstrate mutual respect, humility, and honesty; speak up appropriately; actively listen to diverse perspectives.
• Drive for Results – set clear goals, seek process improvements, hold self and others accountable.
• Develop Talent and Effective Teams – foster collaboration, provide mentorship, recognize diverse strengths.
• Lead with Vision and Strategy – communicate a compelling vision, develop and execute long‑term strategies, connect daily work to the bigger picture.
• Lead with Paradoxical, Critical, and Agile Thinking – navigate complex situations, adapt quickly, make critical decisions using analytical skills and input from others.
• Build and Maintain Effective Relationships – communicate and collaborate across the organization, influence through coaching, develop partnerships.
• Cultivate Community Engagement and Provide Excellent Service – understand community needs, incorporate perspectives, drive initiatives with positive impact.
• Demonstrate Emotional Intelligence – show self‑awareness, manage emotions, respond constructively to feedback, balance empathy with accountability.

Essential Job Functions

• Participant & Stakeholder Interaction: Maintains frequent contact with participants; communicates regularly with courts, law enforcement, community agencies, family members, and the public; provides customer service via phone, walk‑in, mail, and electronic communication; assists participants in accessing financial resources, housing, transportation, and court navigation.
• Monitoring & Equipment Support: Installs and explains GPS and Remote Breath monitoring devices; performs required physical contact; troubleshoots equipment; submits schedules; accesses GPS databases; reviews reports; documents significant events; observes participant alcohol and drug testing, documents observations, and delivers samples to the laboratory.
• Documentation & Recordkeeping: Gathers, organizes, and reports data; maintains case records, progress notes, correspondence, and routine paperwork; tracks participants, caseloads, and program activities.
• Assessment & Intake Support: Conducts risk and needs assessments; collects data for eligibility determinations; provides accurate information to individuals accessing JSS services; assists professional staff in delivering program services.

Physical Demands

• Walks and moves about the office and collection room; moves between desk and other county buildings, including the County Jail.
• Stands, reaches, and sits at a desk; uses hands and fingers for installing monitoring devices and handling urine collection containers.
• Uses hearing and near vision; performs data entry, word processing, and operation of office machines.
• Provides oral instructions to participants, callers, and department staff.
• Handles papers, manuals, and lifts files, copy paper, and other office materials.
• May be exposed to blood/body fluids.
• Work includes weekday hours and hours in the evening and on weekends during the day.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Effective communication with a variety of people; ability to establish good working relationships with County officials, related agencies, and employees.
• Operation of general office equipment (word processor, copying machines, etc.).
• Simple manual or machine computations.
• Aptitude for administrative operations and managing electronic monitoring equipment.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions of a specific nature.
• Reading, writing, and calculating release dates.
• Accurate data entry, basic word processing, email, and other computer programs.
• Handling confidential records with discretion.
• Independent judgment in task execution; ability to maintain a variety of records.

Training, Experience, and Other Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited high school or GED.
• Previous office or customer‑service experience with strong attention to detail and follow‑up skills.
• Experience using computer databases, web‑based programs, and other software.
• Strong preference for candidates who bring lived experience to the role.
• Preference for experience interacting with the criminal justice system.
• Experience supporting individuals with substance‑use disorders or mental‑health challenges is valuable.
• Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
• Patience, professional demeanor, and ability to multitask calmly.
• Flexibility to work weekday, weekend, holiday, and evening hours.

Benefits

• Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension program.
• Countywide insurance plans and growing access to local, no‑cost health‑care options.
• Two dedicated banks of vacation and sick time, with accrual starting on the first day.
• Vacation accrual up to 2× the annual rate.
• Build up to 150 sick days as a full‑time employee.

Schedule

Work includes weekday hours and hours in the evening and on weekends during the day. Availability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays may be required to meet client needs.