Social Worker III

Position Information

Under general direction, the Social Worker III carries a difficult caseload involving the determination of need for basic social services functions for applicants or clients; performs social studies and assignments involving individualized treatment and specialized application of casework methods and skills; provides comprehensive casework services of a tangible nature; and performs other related work as assigned.

Social Worker III is the advanced journey level in the Social Worker series. Incumbents are normally assigned a selected caseload of the more difficult cases and, when needed, are given supervisory consultation in the development of treatment plans. They may also be assigned to a specialized function requiring a high degree of perception, such as a special problem caseload, or to a specific geographic or functional area such as Court Investigations, Family Maintenance/Reunification, Emergency Response, Child/Adult Protection, or Foster Care.

A Social Worker III may act as a lead worker to other social service workers. Incumbents are expected to work independently.

Incumbents in the Social Worker III classification receive general direction from a Social Worker Supervisor or other higher-level manager or deputy director, and may act as lead worker to lower classification workers working in the same program area.

• Carries a caseload of more difficult types of social services cases requiring a high degree of technical competence, such as situations where environmental forces affect family life.
• Receives and responds to reports of suspected abuse; obtains information from reporters; personally investigates and assesses situations to protect vulnerable adults and children and recommends alternate placement; may provide information to law enforcement or district attorneys; may be required to work on‑call; may testify in court.
• Performs case studies, evaluates individual and family case information to assess the safety of children and adults; determines appropriate types and methods of treatment.
• Develops and carries out social treatment plans for an assigned caseload; ensures all services are delivered in a respectful, culturally sensitive and appropriate manner.
• Counsels or provides guidance and support to individuals and/or families with more complex or specialized needs including Adult Protective Services, crisis intervention, special medical or legal needs, and other social services.
• Refers clients to other staff members.
• Makes a diagnosis of client problems and follows through with the social treatment plans with a high degree of independence.
• Interprets policies, rules, and regulations to clients, applicants, and others.
• May act as a lead worker to a small group of social service workers or service employees.
• Assists applicants and recipients in utilizing available resources for individual needs.
• Makes home visits in connection with casework assignments.
• Develops and prepares court reports, case plans, case narratives and safety plans in automated computer systems.
• Enters and retrieves data and narratives from automated computer systems.
• Prepares and maintains case documentation.
• Participates in in‑service training and other staff development activities to increase knowledge of the social work processes and achieve technical competence.
• Receives casework consultation from professionally trained staff members.
• May be required to testify in court.
• Works with community organizations and makes referrals to outside resources.
• Provides self‑help information, education, and services; works with clients and caregivers to develop and improve caregiving and independent living skills.
• Obtains and evaluates police, medical, and psychological reports.
• Maintains client confidentiality; performs all duties in conformance with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

• Principles and practices of organization, workload management and time management.
• Principles and practices of note taking, report writing, and English composition, grammar, punctuation, and…