Job Description

Welcome to La Crosse County — Where Your Work Truly Matters

Every day, our unique teams contribute to our vision of a community that is vibrant, safe, and resilient. Whether you're supporting families, safeguarding natural resources, maintaining infrastructure, or delivering essential services, your work here creates real impact for the people who live, work, and visit our county.

What You’ll Gain by Joining Us

• A Future You Can Count On: Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), one of the most respected pension programs in the nation.
• Reliable, Affordable Coverage: Countywide insurance plans plus growing access to local, no-cost care options for everyday health needs.
• Time Off That Works For You: You’ll have two dedicated banks of vacation and sick time, giving you the freedom to plan real downtime when you need it—and the peace of mind to take care of yourself when you’re under the weather.
• Start earning vacation and sick time your very first day
• Bank up to 2× your annual vacation accrual
• Build up to 150 sick days as a full time employee

A Place Where Everyone Belongs

We believe our workforce should reflect the community we serve. We’re committed to fostering a culture of respect, inclusion, and belonging—because diverse perspectives lead to better outcomes for everyone.

Overview

FLSA: Exempt. This is a supervisory and administrative position in the Integrated Support & Recovery Services (ISRS) Division of the Human Services Department. This position involves program management as it relates to the short-term and crisis services offered by the Integrated Support and Recovery Services Division. Employee in this position has considerable latitude in the creation, planning and enhancement of programs in conjunction with the ISRS Division Manager, ISRS Assistant Division Manager and other staff of the Human Services Department, within general County and departmental policies and guidelines.

Essential Leadership Functions

Act with Integrity and Build Trust

• Demonstrate mutual respect, humility, and honesty in all interactions
• Speak up appropriately, even when expressing unpopular viewpoints
• Actively listen and remain open-minded to diverse perspectives

Drive for Results

• Set clear goals and objectives to motivate self and others to achieve outcomes
• 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 to help self and others reach full potential
• Recognize and leverage diverse strengths within self and team

Lead with Vision and Strategy

• Understand and communicate a compelling vision that aligns with organizational goals
• Develop and execute comprehensive strategies to achieve long-term objectives
• Connect daily work to the bigger picture, inspiring self and others to contribute meaningfully

Lead with Paradoxical, Critical, and Agile Thinking

• Navigate complex situations by considering multiple perspectives
• Adapt quickly to changes and uncertainties in the work environment
• 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-minded thinking
• Develop and sustain partnerships that create positive outcomes for all stakeholders

Cultivate Community Engagement and Provide Excellent Service

• Understand and address the needs and concerns of the community
• Incorporate community perspectives into decision-making processes
• 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, even in the face of setbacks
• Balance empathy with accountability when leading self and working with others

Essential Job Functions

Plans, develops and operates a variety of comprehensive and coordinated services and directs staff to meet program goals in the following service areas: Chapter DHS 34 Emergency Mental Health Service Programs.

This position requires on call and after traditional business hours work as the Mental Health Crisis Unit operates 24/7, which includes nights, weekends, and holidays.

Collaborates closely with internal partners from other divisions to ensure that crisis-related needs for consumers across Human Services are met. Collaborates with Adult Protective Services unit and Corporation Counsel to ensure that consumers are appropriately served when they are under Chapter 51.15 emergency detentions, commitments, protective placements and guardianships.

Collaborates closely with area law enforcement and hospital personnel regarding crisis and emergency detention dynamics. Fulfills requirements as program administrator as required under DHS 34.21(4)(a) of Emergency Mental Health Services Programs standards. Collaborates closely with external partners regarding crisis services such as stabilization or other community services.

Hires, supervises, trains, coaches, evaluates, disciplines, and schedules the layout of work of departmental personnel. Monitors and assures staff compliance with all relevant departmental, County and State rules or procedures.

Responsible for general oversight of crisis budget(s) and grants, including approval of expenses. Ownership of grants includes writing applications, data reporting, oversight of contracted vendors and budgets, and seeking feedback from Human Services staff and community partners on effective utilization of grant funds.

Participates in overall community planning related to crisis services in conjunction with the ISRS Division Manager, ISRS Assistant Division Manager, Clinical Director, Medical Director and other Human services management staff. Reviews service provision procedures, policies and client records to assure compliance with state and federal regulations and certification requirements.

In this public service position, employee is required to be courteous, cooperative and respectful at all times, with the public and clients. Also establishes and maintains a courteous, cooperative and respectful working relationship with other employees, supervisors and public officials.

Employee is expected to report to work when scheduled, with minimum use of sick leave, to build up sick leave balance for income protection for unexpected illness.

Physical demands: Large percentage of time is spent sitting at desk, using oral communication, judgment, hearing, near vision, fingering for keyboarding and calculators, reading, writing. Handles papers and manuals, etc., lifts files, copy paper and other office materials. Sits, stands, bends and reaches intermittently throughout the day. Occasionally moves about the office building and travels to other offices or sites for meetings. Drives personal or rental vehicle to meetings in town and other locations.

Related Job Functions

This job description is not intended to encompass every job duty or responsibility but is only illustrative. This position is required to perform other duties as may be assigned or required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Comprehensive knowledge of services and programs related to serving individuals with psychiatric disabilities, individuals with dual diagnosis (mental health and alcohol and other drug abuse), and their families and other individuals who require similar services.

Working knowledge of the system of services needed to address the needs of people in crisis.

Knowledge of causal factors related to crisis and the population served.

Thorough knowledge of human growth and behavior, principles and methods of social work.

Knowledge of 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 most effectively achieve program objectives.

Ability to relate positively to people, and to maintain effective working relationships, especially with other professional and paraprofessional staff providing these services.

Ability to effectively supervise the work of subordinate staff involving hiring, training, coaching, evaluation, discipline, scheduling and layout of work.

Ability to relate to the agencies' administrative structure, and to work cooperatively with local officials and other public or private as well as voluntary personnel.

Ability to present concise oral and written reports.

Ability to compute and analyze statistical information.

Ability to present to and educate a variety of people on crisis intervention services.

Training, Experience and Other Requirements

Per Chapter DHS 34, anyone acting on behalf of the Clinical Director to provide consultation or sign documents must be a Certified Independent Clinical Social Worker, a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist or master’s level Clinician (with 3000 hours of supervised practice), so this is a requirement for the role (a training license would not be acceptable).

Two years of relevant experience with demonstrated competency in direct services to persons with substance abuse and mental health problems, and related program planning and administration. Strong preference for individual with two years of supervisory experience.

Must have personal vehicle and valid driver's license, or other reliable means for travel to appointments and meetings.

Must pass criminal record check as required by Wisconsin Caregiver Law.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a workforce that reflects the community we serve.

Need an Accommodation?

If you require a disability-related accommodation at any stage of the hiring process, reach out to Human Resources at jobs@lacrossecounty.org — we're here to help.

Ready to Apply?

Submit your application through our online career site. Please double-check your materials before submitting them; complete applications help us move quickly and give every candidate fair consideration.