Entry-Level Social Worker: in Casework & Impact

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 close supervision, Social Worker I is the entry/trainee class in the professional Social Worker series. Employees in this class are learning casework methods, procedures, policies and carry a limited non‑complex social services caseload under close supervision and receive in‑service training; are given close and constant supervision while learning social work principles, social service programs, basic case work methods and techniques, and departmental rules, regulations and procedures.

Typical assignments are within child welfare and adult services programs; however, at the agency's discretion positions may be assigned to employment services to perform social services case work for employment services clients as required by department needs. As requisite skill and knowledge is developed, greater independence and the full scope of responsibility is exercised. Unless a position is permanently allocated to the Social Worker I level due to the nature of the work, employees are expected to advance to the Social Worker II after one year of satisfactory performance at the trainee level.

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.

• Conducts 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.
• Performs case studies and evaluates individual and family case information to assess the safety of children and adults; determines appropriate types and methods of treatment.
• Assesses reports of suspected abuse; may be required to work on‑call; may provide information to law enforcement or district attorneys.
• Develops and carries out culturally sensitive non‑complex to moderate treatment plans for an assigned caseload in conformance with agency, state and federal requirements; assists clients and family members to develop strategies to accomplish case plan goals.
• Refers clients to other staff members, or to community resources for direct and intensive services and specialized counseling as necessary; advocates on the clients' behalf for most appropriate services including enabling services.
• Assists applicants and recipients in utilizing available resources.
• Interprets policies, rules, and regulations of the agency to applicants, clients and others within the scope of their responsibility.
• Makes home visits in connection with casework assignments.
• Prepares and maintains case records and databases; communicates decisions, timelines, recommendations and case plans to clients, families and service providers.
• May testify in court.
• May be assigned to specialized functions.
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