Social Worker – Crisis

Application deadline: 2026-09-03

About the role

Join our team as a Social Worker within the Crisis Unit for the Human Services Department. This position assesses and ensures safety for consumers in crisis situations in Sauk County, monitors and coordinates care following psychiatric hospitalizations or crisis-related placements, participates in discharge planning, and serves as the agency’s court liaison. The role also involves providing time-limited case management services and facilitating access to mental health and/or substance abuse services.

Responsibilities

• Provide daytime mobile and/or telephone-based crisis assessment and response.
• Screen and assess for substance abuse, mental health, and psychosocial needs, including risk of self-harm, harm to others, vulnerability, or need for immediate voluntary/involuntary placement.
• Facilitate involuntary and voluntary admissions to hospitals, crisis stabilization beds, and detoxification facilities.
• Assist consumers with connecting to medical care and other community resources.
• Create and update crisis and safety plans, including intervention information, historical data, and prevention efforts to avoid unnecessary out-of-home placements or hospitalizations.
• Provide brief intervention and/or supportive counseling, including follow-up calls for consumers needing additional support.
• Provide crisis case management for consumers with urgent needs pending entry into Sauk County Human Services Programs or other community services.
• Assist with navigating insurance benefits and eliminating barriers to mental health or substance use care.
• Consult and coordinate with community partners (schools, law enforcement, medical/psychiatric hospitals, crisis staff, mental health clinics, and professionals) to facilitate an integrated treatment approach.
• Coordinate Chapter 51 involuntary emergency detention admissions and discharge plans.
• Obtain and evaluate information from crisis workers, law enforcement, and medical providers to advise corporation counsel on mental health, substance use, and developmental disability status.
• Advocate for the agency’s position at Chapter 51 court hearings; inform the court regarding client eligibility and service availability.
• Arrange and approve contracts for court evaluations, access mental health/substance use requests for court petitions, and facilitate the court process.
• Screen, evaluate, and advise clients in need of emergency intervention; act as a liaison with law enforcement when appropriate.
• Maintain statistics and track compliance with settlement and commitment orders following court intervention.
• Train and support law enforcement, medical professionals, and agency staff on Chapter 51 policies, on-call guidelines, and response processes.
• Attend individual and group crisis supervision.
• Complete accurate and timely documentation in the electronic health record.
• Participate in agency committees, program development, and evaluation.
• Engage in ongoing professional training and development.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or a related field.
• 2 years of related experience.
• Wisconsin State Social Work License or ability to obtain within six months of hire.
• Wisconsin State Motor Vehicle Operator’s License.

Preferred Qualifications

• Licensed Substance Abuse Counselor (SAC-IT, SAC, CSAC) in Wisconsin.
• ASAM Training and Experience.

Any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Schedule

Standard working hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am until 4:30 pm. Hours are subject to change, and additional hours may be required as needed.