| Location | Madison, WI |
| Salary | $36.25–$42.69 Per Hour |
GAL Social Worker (0.5 FTE)
Salary
$36.25 - $42.69 Hourly
Location
Dane County Courthouse, 215 S Hamilton, Madison, WI
Job Type
Part Time Position (.5FTE)
Job Number
2026-00246
Department
Clerk of Courts
Opening Date
08/07/2026
Closing Date
8/21/2026 11:59 PM Central
FLSA
Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit
2634
Description
The Dane County Clerk of Courts in Madison, WI has a current vacancy for a part-time (0.5 FTE) Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) Social Worker.
The Eligibility List created from this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies over the next six (6) months.
Note to applicants - for the 2026 budget year, there is a 1% reduction in wages (already reflected above), an additional 21 holiday hours, and continued earning of longevity and merit steps.
Equity, Definition and Examples of Duties
COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND INCLUSION
As an employer, we strive to provide a work environment where diversity and differing opinions are valued, creativity is encouraged, continuous learning and improvement are fostered, teamwork and open/honest communication are encouraged, and meeting customers' needs through quality service is a shared goal. All employees must be able to demonstrate multicultural competence - the awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to work with others who are culturally different from self in meaningful, relevant, and productive ways. Applicants from traditionally underrepresented populations including women, racial and ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.
DEFINITION
Under general supervision, provides independent investigative and social work services for the Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) Program. Performs diagnostic/assessment studies to identify the nature, cause and extent of the familys difficulties. Provides recommendations for services on a confidential basis to the program attorneys based on the best interest of the children.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Provides specialized services on cases involving the protection, rehabilitation and care of children. Consults with mental health, social service, and school personnel, and other professionals connected with that case evaluation for the purpose of assessment of childrens and parents individual needs and abilities and recommends appropriate services and treatment. Prepares social histories with emphasis on psycho-social factors. Prepares and maintains records. Conducts individual and family interviews. Provides recommendations and information to the program attorneys regarding the best interest of children.Performs related duties as required.
Education, Experience and Special Requirements
Education, Training and Experience:
A Masters degree in social work or closely related human services field and six (6) months of professional social work experience; or a Bachelors degree in social work or closely related human services field and two and one-half (2.5) years of professional social work experience.
Certifications/Licenses:
Applicants must possess a permanent Social Work Certification from the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) prior to applying.
Special Requirements:
Possession of or eligibility for a valid drivers license and access to personal transportation.
Background Check Statement: Some positions may require a criminal background check which can include fingerprinting due to the nature of the job's responsibilities. Wisconsin's Fair Employment Law, s. 111.31 - 111.395, Wis. Stats., prohibits discrimination because of an arrest or conviction record. However, Dane County may disqualify an applicant if the position's responsibilities are substantially related to the applicant's criminal history (e.g., the nature of the crime and its relationship to the position, whether hiring, transferring or promoting an applicant would pose an unreasonable risk to the business, its employees, customers and vendors, etc.). Management reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.
For Bilingual Positions:
Physical and Environmental Work Requirements:
Typical office environment. Ability to sit or stand to operate a personal computer with or without assistance. Ability to travel from office to other locations in and around Dane County, with occasional out of county travel. Ability to see and hear within normal ranges with or without adaptive devices. Extensive computer terminal use, reading and writing.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Thorough knowledge of and skill in the application of practices and techniques of family assessment, child growth and development, psychological testing, alcohol and other drug abuse, and cycle of violence. Knowledge of causes and treatment of problematic parent child interaction, as well as related local community resources. Knowledge and familiarity with physical and behavioral indications of abuse and neglect and conditions or situations which create a risk of harm for children. Knowledge and familiarity with factors which can influence bonding attachment. Knowledge of Wisconsin juvenile statutes and related guardianship statutes. Ability to evaluate needs of the child and the parents in order to determine what, if any, treatment is required in the best interest of the child. Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of internal and external stakeholders. Ability to communicate effectively in writing. Ability to recognize and assess parental behavior and child behavior associated with varying types of child maltreatment. Ability to objectively assess needs of children and families from a variety of economic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds. Demonstrated ability to maintain accurate records.
Become a part of the Dane County Team!
We offer a wide range of benefits including fully paid dental and HMO health insurance premiums for full time employees/pro rated for part time employees. The County will also provide contributions towards POS health insurance premiums and short/long term disability. Additional benefits available include long term care, vision coverage, flex spending account and deferred compensation programs paid in full by the employee and a wellness program. For further details on insurance benefits visit
https://admin.countyofdane.com/employee-relations/active-employee
Bilingual Pay: Employees who work in bilingual designated positions receive an additional $2.00 per hour.
Undesirable Hours Premium Pay: Employees may receive undesirable hours pay of $2.00 for anytime worked between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m and for anytime on Saturday and/or Sunday. (not applicable with all employee groups).
Paid Parental Leave: Dane County also provides 12 weeks of paid parental leave for birth or adoption of a child.
Caregiver Leave: Dane County offers 80 hours of paid leave to care for an ill family member.
Telecommuting: Telecommuting allows employees to work remotely for all or part of their work week. Dane County considers telecommuting to be a viable, flexible option when both the employee and the job are suited to such an arrangement. Dane County will permit telecommuting when it benefits the productivity of the employee and their department and if determined by employees department that telecommuting is not detrimental to either the County or the employee.
Student Loan Forgiveness: If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, you may be able to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.
WI Retirement System: Employees hired after 7-1-11 must be expected to work a minimum of 1200 hours annually to be enrolled in the Wisconsin Retirement System when hired.
Like our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DaneCountyEmployeeRelations/
Dane County participates in E-Verify. For more information see the Notice of E-Verify Participation and Right to Work posters here" and then the here links to this page: https://admin.countyofdane.com/employee-relations
01
Do you possess a Bachelors Degree in Social Work or closely related human services field and at least two and one-half (2.5) years of professional social work experience?
02
Do you possess a Masters degree in Social Work or closely related human services field and at least six (6) months of professional social work experience?
03
What degree(s) do you possess?
04
Do you possess a permanent Social Work Certification from the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) (prior to applying)?
05
Please provide the following information: type of license, number AND expiration date.
06
THIS QUESTION IS GRADED Describe your knowledge, skills, education and life experiences relating to families reported into the child protective services system, whether or not a petition was filed for court. Be specific about your ability to work with such families. Specify any agency or similar employment. Include job duties and length of employment. Include specific resources you have worked with to help families in these situations.
07
THIS QUESTION IS GRADED Describe your experience working in a legal setting, or with and at the direction of attorneys. Describe the areas of law involved, your specific duties and length of time performing the duties.
08
THIS QUESTION IS GRADED Describe your experience that has provided you with a working knowledge of Dane County's service resources and their function(s) which you might utilize in developing service plans. If you have not gained such knowledge of the Dane County area, but have it for another area, answer this question in reference to that area and explain how this knowledge would be useful for the Dane County area.
09
THIS QUESTION IS GRADED Please describe any experience and/or training you have had with culturally or racially diverse individuals. Be specific as to what the nature of the experience or training was (i.e., type of work, your specific role, volunteer or paid, employer name(s), starting and ending dates, nature of ethnic group worked with, such as low income urban black, course content, school/college name(s), etc.)
Required Question
Employer Dane County