Social Worker Job Description Sample & Template

Social Worker listening and taking notes with a stressed student.

What skills and qualifications do Social Workers need?

Table of Contents

  1. Future Job Prospects for Social Workers
  2. Social Worker Salary and Benefits
  3. Education and Training Requirements
  4. Social Worker Job Description Sample – Free Download

1. Future Job Prospects for a Social Workers

  • A Social Worker helps promote the welfare of individuals, families, communities, and groups.
  • Social Workers can work in a variety of clinical or social service settings.
  • According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), these roles are increasing at a 12% annual rate projected through 2024. This is higher than the national average.
  • These jobs can be found in in schools, human welfare agencies, hospitals, private practices, mental health clinics — and more.

2. Social Worker Salary and Benefits

  • According to the BLS, the average annual salary for a Social Worker is $46,890.
  • These roles are usually full-time with benefits.

3. Education and Training Requirements

  • A Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work (BSW), psychology, or sociology is the minimum requirement.
  • Clinical positions require a Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW).
  • Every state mandates licensure with varying requirements.
Tip
Take precautions to prevent burnout. Social Workers have a higher rate of burnout than many other positions and it is essential to learn the necessary skills to offset any baggage or pressure that spills outside of the workplace.

4. Social Worker Job Description Sample

Download This Job Description Template

We are seeking an experienced Social Worker to staff our on-campus university mental health and wellness center. You will have worked with a similar population, be appropriately licensed, and have at least four years’ experience in a clinical setting.

You will help students by counseling them through the daily stresses inherent in an academic setting. You will refer them to the appropriate internal or external resource as necessary, while carefully documenting the various outcomes. You will be a strong and active listener, an excellent multitasker and exhibit strong leadership and mentoring skills.

You will exhibit cultural sensitivity in dealing with our diverse student population. If you can speak conversational Spanish or other non-English language, you will provide even more value to our team.

You will develop clinical care plans that guide care for our students when they need it the most. You will exhibit exceptional compassionate care and treatment for our students, while recommending a course of action to help them achieve their goals.

We’re seeking a Social Worker with a minimum of four years’ experience in client-facing contact in a clinical or counseling setting. A BSW mandatory; a master’s degree is preferred.

Responsibilities

  • Meets with clients to evaluate their needs, then works to provide them with social services that can help them with a problem.
  • Completes intake exams by listening, asking and answering questions, and solving problems.
  • Creates care plans to provide people with aid and help improve their lives.
  • Documents all activities in a client or patient case file.
  • Works to achieve the goals of the social service organization by helping clients leverage a variety of services available.
  • Works with clients by phone, in person, or on a computer.
  • Refers clients to other departments or agencies when necessary.
  • Troubleshoots client issues and provides solutions in a caring and efficient manner.
  • Ensures compliance with all local, state, and federal laws.

Required Skills

Educational

  • A Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work (BSW), psychology, or sociology.
  • Clinical positions require a Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW).
  • State Licensure as appropriate.

Technical

  • Computer proficient and able to learn proprietary case management software.
  • Word processing, spreadsheet, or database proficiency required.
  • Order entry skills.
  • Can touch type at 40 wpm or higher.
  • Can simultaneously talk, type, and look at a computer monitor.
  • Basic math skills.
  • Extreme attention to detail.
  • Able to grasp patterns of behavior and discern meaning.
  • Excellent at troubleshooting and problem solving.
  • Able to speak and understand a foreign language is a plus.

Communication/Organizational

  • Very compassionate people person committed to helping the less fortunate.
  • Excellent verbal and written communicator.
  • Avid listener.
  • Critical thinking and analytical skills.
  • Emotionally stable and able to function effectively under high pressure.
  • Expert intuitive people skills.
  • Detail oriented, focused, methodical, and organized.
  • Exceptionally responsible, efficient team player.
  • Excellent communicator in writing, by phone, and in-person.
  • Patient, polite, and calm demeanor even in the most difficult circumstances.

Benefits

  • Full-time with benefits.

How to Apply

  • Apply by forwarding your resume along with a cover letter.