Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Program Supervisor

Milwaukee County oversees operations from our Airport, Behavioral Health, Child Support, Combined Court Operations, Sheriff's Department, Community Reintegration Center, Human Services, Parks, Public Safety, Public Works, Fleet Operations, Transportation, and at the Zoo. Our departments are also dedicated to our Seniors and those with Disabilities in Aging and Disability Services, and Veterans in Veterans Services. Our employees also remain committed to serving the cultural, human, recreational, and social needs of the entire community.

Milwaukee County offers a wide variety of interesting jobs for people who want to make a difference in our community. Milwaukee County provides a competitive benefit package and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If disability related accommodations are needed, please contact 414-278-3936. For submitted application inquiries please contact careers@milwaukeecountywi.gov. Please note: an online application must be submitted for consideration.

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Closing Date: March 5^th, 2026, or upon receipt of the first 50 applicant submissions

Dialectical Behavior Therapist Skills Program Supervisor

Children, Youth, and Family Services

Annual Salary Range: $66,580.80 - $99,860.80

Job Summary: Under general direction of the Clinical Manager, the Dialectical Behavior Therapist (DBT) Program Supervisor serves as an expert and is responsible for the effective and consistent delivery of DBT Skill group facilitation in a secure residential care center and community-based programming. This position provides direct coaching, training, and supporting staff to integrate skills into interactions with youth. The supervisor is responsible for driving the integration of DBT skills into the program's environment, monitoring fidelity to the model, and ensuring the quality of programmatic services. This role supports the ongoing expansion of the clinical department and supports the clinical manager in building a DBT program with fidelity.

Position Duties:

• Deliver and coordinate comprehensive DBT training and onboarding for all new skills facilitators, interns, and direct care staff relating to group format, curriculum, and structure. Using standardized DBT program fidelity checklists monitor and provide regular, direct observation of skills groups and milieu activities. Conduct structured coaching, providing timely, constructive feedback to staff to reinforce strengths, build proficiency, and ensure high-quality skills delivery. Facilitate DBT skills groups as needed to model best practices. Maintain training and competency records, reporting on staff progress and development needs to the Clinical Manager.
• Actively partner with and coordinate daily efforts of floor staff to ensure DBT principles and skills are consistently coached and integrated into all client interactions. Serve as the front-line resource to troubleshoot challenges in applying DBT skills in the milieu. Monitor milieu activities for consistency and program adherence, reporting on progress, challenges, and opportunities to the clinical manager.
• Participate in team meetings and consultation teams to provide direct, case-specific consultation related to applying DBT strategies to specific behavioral situations. Escalate complex behavioral or safety concerns to the Clinical Manager for review and intervention.
• Conduct regular audits of DBT skills, facilitation, and delivery through reports and evaluation tools. Maintain documentation of training and onboarding of new skills facilitators. Assure that group notes are timely input.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• Current resident of Wisconsin
• Valid Wisconsin driver's License and access to a reliable insured vehicle; maintained throughout employment.
• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Counseling or in a closely related field is required.
• At least one (1) year of experience working with youth in a social work, psychology, human services, or closely related field is required.
• At least one (1) year of supervisory and/or management experience is required.
• Able and willing to travel 40% of work time
• Able to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 25lbs as needed.
• Intermediate knowledge of all related computer and software applications, such as word processing and spreadsheets.

Note: This position will be required to work from 10:00am to 7:00pm, Monday through Friday.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Group Facilitation, and Youth Justice experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of and skill in the application of ethics, theories, methods, practices, treatments and techniques of psychiatric social work and counseling; oral and written communication skills; knowledge of health services providing care to children and adolescents; knowledge of community resources in the area of health and social services and the ability to utilize them effectively; knowledge of mental disorders and diseases; knowledge of laws governing mental commitments; skill in interviewing patients and family members and accurately assessing their needs; ability to work as a member of a mental health or health care team; ability to work with people of all social, economic and educational levels; ability to develop effective interpersonal relationships; ability to work effectively and harmoniously with staff, patients, families, and agencies.

NOTE: This ORIGINAL APPLICATION is open to qualified residents of the State of Wisconsin at the time of application. Candidates need to submit a full account of their training and experience (i.e., by submitting an up-to-date resume or by fully completing the application) during the application process and may also be asked to take additional written or performance tests as part of the selection process.

APPLICANTS MUST POSSESS MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AT TIME OF FILING APPLICATION

Milwaukee County is committed to fostering an equitable working environment, free from discrimination and harassment, on the basis of any characteristic protected by law. We prohibit any form of discrimination, harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, pregnancy related condition, national origin, age, disability, FMLA status, sexual orientation, military status, marital status, or any other category or status that is now or in the future protected by federal, state, and local law. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing, background checks and pre-employment physicals subject to job requirements. If special accommodations are needed, please contact 414-278-3936.