Social Service Worker Job Description Example

Social Service Worker Job Description Example

What Does a Social Service Worker Do?

The daily work of a social service worker depends on his or her level of education and where he/she works.

There are direct-service social service workers whose job description generally involves helping to address everyday problems which may include applying for government aid or finding work.

Clinical social service workers on the other hand generally help address mental health problems.

Each day, different types of social service workers in today’s society often do very different things.

Although all of them work for one purpose which is to help people improve their lives in some way, yet, the services they offer often differ depending on their fields.

The title of a social service worker may vary from country to country and even among the states in the United States, however, two of the most common types are licensed clinical social service workers (LCSWs) and direct-service social service workers.

Licensed clinical social service workers are people specially trained to give mental health services to clients.

These people work with clients to diagnose and treat emotional or mental problems, and often provide family, group, and one-on-one therapy.

An LCSW may recommend referrals for other services, like counselors who specialize in a specific type of social program or treatment that can help the client in some other parts of his/her life.

This professional is usually required to have a master’s degree and not more than five years of clinical experience before he/she can be licensed.

Direct-service social service workers on the other hand have their duties to include helping people deal with the challenges in their everyday lives.

The specific services that they render depends on where they work, yet, they often find a client’s weaknesses and strengths and use such to develop a plan to achieve his/her goals.

This can involve helping someone deal with a housing emergency, financial crisis or an expected medical diagnosis.

They often times work to assist people in crisis situations, and then they follow up with them in order to make sure that the situation for such person has improved.

Social Service Worker Job Description Example

The social service worker will perform the duties, tasks, and responsibilities contained in the job description example shown below:

• Conduct interviews with service users as well as their families in order to review and assess their situation
• Offer support and information to service users, as well as their families
• Organize and manage support packages to enable clients lead the fullest lives possible
• Make decisions and recommend on the best course of action for a particular client
• Liaise with, and make referrals to other sister or relevant agencies
• Maintain accurate records
• Prepare reports for legal action
• Give evidence in court when called upon

Making a Resume for Social Service Worker Position

The work experience section of the social service worker resume can be prepared using information relating to the duties and responsibilities of the position. Such information is contained in the above job description sample.

Requirements – Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities – for the Social Service Worker Post

Below are requirements, including skills, knowledge, and abilities social service workers are usually expected to have to be effective on the job:

• Ability to work with young people, including children
• Good at decision-making
• Problem-solving skills
• Empathetic, patient, understanding and honest
• Reliable and adaptable
• Must be able to maintain client’s confidentiality
• Must be ethical
• Must be able to relate with people from diverse lifestyles and cultures
• Good planning skills
• Well organized
• Must be able to do welfare agency work
• Must be able to do youth or community work
• Must be able to do nursing work
• Must be able to do teaching work
• Must be able to work with people with disabilities