SENIOR HUMAN SERVICES SUPERVISOR MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS UNIT

Welcome to La Crosse County — Where Your Work Truly Matters. Every day, our unique teams contribute to a vibrant, safe, and resilient community, supporting families, safeguarding natural resources, maintaining infrastructure, and delivering essential services that create real impact for the people who live, work, and visit our county.

Benefits

• Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) – one of the nation’s most respected pension programs.
• Countywide insurance plans plus growing access to local, no‑cost care options for everyday health needs.
• Two dedicated banks of vacation and sick time, with accrual beginning on the first day of employment.
• Ability to bank up to twice your annual vacation accrual.
• Build up to 150 sick days as a full‑time employee.

Overview

FLSA: Exempt. This is a supervisory and administrative position in the Integrated Support & Recovery Services (ISRS) Division of the Human Services Department. The role involves program management for short‑term and crisis services offered by ISRS, with considerable latitude to create, plan, and enhance programs in collaboration with the ISRS Division Manager, Assistant Division Manager, and other Human Services staff, within County and departmental policies and guidelines.

Essential Leadership Functions

• Act with Integrity and Build Trust – demonstrate mutual respect, humility, and honesty; speak up appropriately, even when viewpoints are unpopular; actively listen and remain open‑minded to diverse perspectives.
• Drive for Results – set clear goals and objectives to motivate self and others; seek new opportunities to improve processes and drive sustainable results; hold self and others accountable through consistent evaluation and monitoring.
• Develop Talent and Effective Teams – foster a collaborative environment that encourages knowledge sharing and growth; provide mentorship and support; recognize and leverage diverse strengths within the team.
• Lead with Vision and Strategy – understand and communicate a compelling vision aligned with organizational goals; develop and execute comprehensive strategies to achieve long‑term objectives; connect daily work to the bigger picture, inspiring meaningful contribution.
• Lead with Paradoxical, Critical, and Agile Thinking – navigate complex situations by considering multiple perspectives; adapt quickly to changes and uncertainties; make critical decisions using analytical skills, experience, and input from others.
• Build and Maintain Effective Relationships – communicate and collaborate effectively with stakeholders across the organization; influence others through coaching, consulting, and team‑oriented thinking; develop and sustain partnerships that create positive outcomes for all stakeholders.
• Cultivate Community Engagement and Provide Excellent Service – understand and address community needs and concerns; incorporate community perspectives into decision‑making; drive initiatives that create positive impacts beyond the organization.
• Demonstrate Emotional Intelligence – show self‑awareness and manage emotions effectively in challenging situations; seek and respond constructively to feedback; balance empathy with accountability when leading self and others.

Essential Job Functions

• Plan, develop, and operate comprehensive crisis‑related services, directing staff to meet program goals for Chapter DHS 34 Emergency Mental Health Service Programs; this includes on‑call and after‑hours work for a 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Unit.
• Collaborate closely with internal partners from other divisions to ensure crisis‑related needs for consumers across Human Services are met.
• Work with Adult Protective Services and County Counsel to serve consumers under Chapter 51.15 emergency detentions, commitments, protective placements, and guardianships.
• Coordinate with area law enforcement and hospital personnel regarding crisis and emergency detention dynamics.
• Fulfill program‑administrator requirements under DHS 34.21(4)(a) Emergency Mental Health Services standards.
• Partner with external agencies for crisis services such as stabilization and other community resources.
• Hire, supervise, train, coach, evaluate, discipline, and schedule departmental personnel; monitor staff compliance with departmental, County, and State rules and procedures.
• Oversee crisis budgets and grants, approve expenses, write grant applications, report data, manage contracted vendors, and seek feedback on grant utilization.
• Participate in community planning for crisis services alongside ISRS leadership, Clinical Director, Medical Director, and other Human Services managers.
• Review service‑provision procedures, policies, and client records to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations and certification requirements.
• Maintain courteous, cooperative, and respectful interactions with the public, clients, coworkers, supervisors, and public officials.
• Report to work as scheduled with minimal sick‑leave usage to build a protective sick‑leave balance.
• Physical demands: primarily seated desk work with frequent oral communication, keyboarding, reading, writing, and occasional lifting of files and office materials; intermittent standing, bending, reaching, and travel to meetings or sites; use of personal or rental vehicle for travel.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of services and programs for individuals with psychiatric disabilities, dual diagnosis (mental health and substance use), and their families.
• Working knowledge of the service system needed to address the needs of people in crisis.
• Understanding of causal factors related to crisis and the population served.
• Thorough knowledge of human growth and behavior, and social work principles and methods.
• Familiarity with federal and state laws and regulations relevant to crisis programs and services.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate a variety of service delivery systems to achieve program objectives effectively.
• Ability to relate positively to people and maintain effective working relationships, especially with professional and paraprofessional staff.
• Ability to supervise subordinate staff, including hiring, training, coaching, evaluation, discipline, scheduling, and work layout.
• Ability to navigate the agency’s administrative structure and cooperate with local officials, public, private, and voluntary personnel.
• Ability to present concise oral and written reports.
• Ability to compute and analyze statistical information.
• Ability to educate and present to diverse audiences on crisis‑intervention services.

Training, Experience, and Other Requirements

• Certification requirement per Chapter DHS 34: must be a Certified Independent Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, or a master’s‑level clinician with 3,000 hours of supervised practice (training license not acceptable).
• Minimum two years of relevant experience with demonstrated competency in direct services to persons with substance‑abuse and mental‑health problems, including program planning and administration.
• Strong preference for candidates with at least two years of supervisory experience.
• Must have a personal vehicle and a valid driver’s license, or other reliable means for travel to appointments and meetings.
• Must pass a criminal record check as required by Wisconsin Caregiver Law.

Related Job Functions

This job description is illustrative and does not encompass every duty or responsibility. The employee may be required to perform other duties as assigned or required.