PUBLIC HEALTH SOCIAL WORKER 1

The City of Milwaukee is proud to employ a diverse workforce dedicated to delivering exceptional service to its residents. If you have a passion for being a part of an inclusive team of public servants, please consider the following opportunity.

The Public Health Social Worker 1 (PHSW) functions as part of a multi-disciplinary case management team that focuses on the psychosocial needs of families.

NOTE: On a weekly basis, applications received will be reviewed and the names of qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring department for immediate further consideration.

Case Management  

• Provide direct consultation to help clients identify concerns, consider effective solutions, and find reliable resources.
• Work in collaboration with internal public health nurses, doulas, fatherhood specialists, public health educators, community-based agencies and other MHD teams in providing social service referrals to MHD clients.
• Refer clients to specialists, such as childcare, financial assistance, food stamps, health insurance coverage, alcohol and drug rehabilitation, mental health counseling and domestic violence treatment.
• Develop and maintain supportive and trusting relationships with clients and other members of the family unit to promote independent and empowered action by families.
• Provide ongoing home visits and phone contact based on family needs, as prescribed by Empowering Families protocols and the respective evidence-based home visitation model.
• Act as an advocate for families regarding needed resources from governmental, community, and private agencies.
• Maintain records and prepare reports of services and activities.
• Function as a member of the multidisciplinary team, working in a dyad comprised of a public health nurse and public health social worker; participate in case briefing sessions with other team members.
• Develop and implement case management and care plans for resolution of assessed client/family needs; document social work case management within designated databases according to MHD’s policies and Medicaid requirements.
• Complete developmental screening and assessment of clients’ physical, social, psychological, and environmental health status.
• Provide consultation for primary, secondary, and tertiary health problems.
• Provide parenting education and evidence-based curriculum to families customized to their identified goals and needs.
• Teach prevention and promote the adoption of healthy behaviors, including safe sleep, home safety, social support and maternal child health.
• Support or facilitate parent/family group activities held intermittently throughout the year.    

Community Linkage and Advocacy  

• Attend program meetings, training sessions, and community meetings; participate in the orientation and on-going training for EFM.
• Serve as a liaison with hospitals, government services, and community agencies for social service needs of mothers and infants.
• Represent the MHD and its policies and strategies in the community.
• Develop relationships between the MHD and the community to enhance advocacy for clients and their needs.   

Program Evaluation  

• Evaluate and provide assistance to determine the effectiveness of particular services and home visiting interventions.
• Participate in data collection, quality improvement projects, program evaluation and preparation of reports pertinent to objectives of the program.
• Assess community needs for input into MHD programs. 

• Must carry a mobile device during business hours.
• Must be willing to occasionally work outside of standard business hours (evenings and weekends) as required by the needs of the department.
• Travel outside the City of Milwaukee, occasionally overnight or weekends, for training purposes or to participate in meetings as a representative of the City.
• Must respond to an emergency or a broad-impact event.
• Pre-Employment Vaccination and Screening Requirements:
  • Annual TB Test
  • Annual Covid-19 and Influenza vaccinations
  • Pre-employment immunity verification required for MMR, Varicella, and Hepatitis B
    • If not immune, vaccination or an approved exemption is required.
    • Vaccination series only needs to be done once.
• Required pre-employment tests include:
  • Physical Exam with 25 lb. lift test
  • Vision Exam
  • Audio-Gram
  • Drug Screen - Non DOT

1. Bachelor’s degree in social work from an accredited college or university.
2. Valid Social Worker certification or Temporary Social Worker certification issued by the State of Wisconsin at time of appointment.  
3. A valid Social Worker certification must be maintained throughout employment.
   NOTE: Applicants must list their certificate number and effective dates on the supplemental questionnaire portion of the online application and attach a copy of their valid State of Wisconsin certificate to the online application (or temporary certificate information if applicable).   
   
4. Valid driver’s license and possession of a properly insured vehicle for use on the job at time of appointment and throughout employment.  Private Auto Allowance May Be Paid Pursuant to Section 350-183 of The Milwaukee Code. 

NOTICE: Please do not attach your academic transcripts to your employment application. The hiring department will verify candidates’ education as part of the background screening process prior to extending any job offers.

• Master’s degree in Social Work from an accredited college or university.
• Experience in home visitation, maternal and child, and/or Public Health.
• Ability to provide interpretation for Spanish, Burmese, Karen, Rohingya, Swahili, or Hmong speaking clients.

Technical  

• Knowledge of best practice in the field of social work, including healthy family and social relationships.
• Knowledge of contemporary theories of child development issues, practices, and trends.
• Knowledge of social services agencies and other resources.
• Knowledge of the social determinants of health.
• Knowledge of and ability to work with computers, including word processing, database, project management, and spreadsheet applications, and case management information systems. 
• Ability to read and interpret work-related documents.  

Interpersonal and Communication  

• Interpersonal skills, including the ability to maintain effective working relationships with clients, multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary staff, other agencies and the public.
• Ability to work cooperatively, effectively and fairly with coworkers and citizens whose backgrounds may differ from one’s own. 
• Ability to manage emotional or difficult client situations.
• Ability to provide services in a culturally sensitive manner.
• Ability to write clearly and informatively, including reports, business correspondence and procedural manuals.
• Ability to speak clearly and persuasively in order to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients and the general public.  

Judgment and Time Management  

• Ability to independently plan, organize, and prioritize work to achieve objectives within deadlines.
• Problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgement. 
• Ability to appropriately handle sensitive information and to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Honesty, integrity, professionalism, and the ability to serve as an effective steward of City resources.

The current salary range (2FN) is $64,841-$73,907 annually, and the resident incentive salary range for City of Milwaukee residents is $67,435-$76,863 annually. Appointment above the minimum is possible based upon level of experience and other qualifications and is subject to approval. 

BENEFITS

The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program that includes the following:

• Wisconsin Retirement Systems (WRS) Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Health and Dental Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Comprehensive Wellness Program
• Onsite Clinic Services
• Onsite Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative Work Schedules
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Group Life Insurance
• Tuition Benefits
• Paid Vacation
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
• Flexible Spending Arrangement
• Commuter Value Pass

THE SELECTION PROCESS will be job-related and will consist of one or more of the following: an evaluation of education, experience, and/or responses to supplemental questions; a written or performance test, a structured interview, or other assessment methods. The Department of Employee Relations reserves the right to call only the most qualified candidates to structured interviews and performance examinations. Structured interviews may include written exercises. Selection process component weights will be determined by further analysis of the job.

THIS IS A CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT. Applications will be accepted and interviews held during 2026 as often as required to meet the needs of the City. Qualified applicants will be notified by email of the date, time, and place of the examination. Unless otherwise required by law, the City of Milwaukee will not provide alternative test administration. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the job selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee. Employment may be possible immediately following the examination if positions are vacant at that time. The names of successful candidates will be placed on the eligible list in a rank determined by the final grade without reference to the date of the examination. The names of candidates who pass all phases of the selection process may remain on an eligible list resulting from a continuous examination for up to six months.

• Applications and further information can be accessed by visiting www.jobapscloud.com/MIL.
• If you would like assistance completing an application, please contact the Department of Employee Relations at (414) 286-3751 or staffinginfo@milwaukee.gov. 
• The Department of Employee Relations is in City Hall, 200 E. Wells St, Room 706, Milwaukee, WI 53202.

EEO Code = 208          

The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.