Social Worker II; IMS

Performs basic social services casework; identifies client needs for more intensive casework services and provides referrals; carries a caseload of moderately difficult cases; manages a caseload of increasingly difficult cases; and performs other related work as assigned.

Working under general direction, Social Worker II is the journey level in the Social Worker series. Employees at this level are expected to carry a full caseload of moderately difficult cases requiring greater skill and depth of job knowledge in assessing problem situations and formulating plans for service. Typical assignments are within child welfare and adult services programs. However, at the agency's discretion, Social Worker II may be assigned to employment services to perform social services case work for employment services clients as required by department needs.

Employees work with a high degree of independence in administering services and in using agency or community resources. Some positions may determine initial and continuing eligibility for one or more aid programs.

Social Worker II differs from Social Worker III in that the latter is the advanced journey level, assigned the more complex cases, specialized functions and/or lead worker duties.

Incumbents in the Social Worker I/II classification receive direct supervision from a Social Worker Supervisor, or other higher-level supervisor or manager.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Conduct interviews with clients, family members, and others in their home, in the office, or via telephone to assess the basic social, physical, and mental needs of clients and obtain health information in order to identify and provide social services.
• Perform case studies and evaluate individual and family case information to assess the safety of children and adults; determine appropriate types and methods of treatment.
• Assess reports of suspected abuse; may be required to work on‑call; may provide information to law enforcement or district attorneys.
• Develop and carry out culturally sensitive non‑complex to moderate treatment plans for an assigned caseload in conformance with agency, state and federal requirements; assist clients and family members to develop strategies to accomplish case plan goals.
• Refer clients to other staff members, or to community resources for direct and intensive services and specialized counseling as necessary; advocate on the clients' behalf for most appropriate services including enabling services.
• Assist applicants and recipients in utilizing available resources.
• Interpret policies, rules, and regulations of the agency to applicants, clients and others within the scope of their responsibility.
• Make home visits in connection with casework assignments.
• Prepare and maintain case records and databases; communicate decisions, timelines, recommendations and case plans to clients, families and service providers.
• May testify in court.
• May be assigned to specialized functions.
• Participate in in‑service training and other staff development activities to increase knowledge of the social work processes and achieve technical competence.
• Receive casework consultation from professionally trained staff members.
• Provide community outreach for various agency programs.
• Maintain client confidentiality; perform all duties in conformance with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics.
• Perform related duties as assigned.
• Carry a caseload that includes cases with issues of moderate difficulty.
• Counsel or support clients with complex or specialized needs; provide crisis intervention.
• Provide self‑help information, education, and services; work with client and caregivers to develop and improve caregiving and independent living skills.
• Obtain and evaluate policy, medical, and psychological reports.
• May serve as mentor to staff, orient staff, provide training and guidance on cases.

Note:

The level and scope of the knowledge and skills listed below are related to job duties as distinguished between the two levels in the Definition Section.

• Principles and practices of organization, workload…