Social Worker III - Aging & Disability Services – Adult Protective Services

NOTE: This recruitment schedule was amended on February 27, 2026 from a continuous recruitment to closing. The Final Closing Date will be March 4, 2026.

Social Worker III is an opportunity for a highly skilled social work professional to make a meaningful difference every single day by supporting the safety, dignity, and independence of older adults and adults with disabilities in our community.

Social Worker IIIs are advanced journey-level practitioners who bring clinical insight, strong judgment, and exceptional problem-solving skills to complex case scenarios. They work with a high degree of independence while delivering intensive, client-centered casework, often involving individuals with acute safety concerns or multifaceted psychosocial needs.

In this role, you will:

• Apply your advanced assessment, diagnostic, and intervention skills to stabilize crises, reduce risk, and promote long-term well-being.
• Serve as a resource to colleagues by offering casework consultation within the department and to external partner agencies.

APS is a state‑mandated program responsible for investigating allegations of abuse, neglect, or exploitation involving older adults and dependent adults. Abuse may include physical, financial, emotional, sexual abuse, neglect, isolation, or abandonment.

APS Social Worker IIIs conduct face‑to‑face home visits, complete comprehensive psychosocial assessments, develop service plans, and coordinate interventions across multiple systems. Investigations may be conducted in collaboration with law enforcement, the District Attorney’s Office, health care providers, and community partners.

The program is built on a foundation of client rights, empowerment, and person‑centered practice, aiming to strengthen safety, reduce risk, and support clients’ ability to remain in the community whenever appropriate.

This role offers a meaningful blend of deeply rewarding and intellectually challenging work. As a Social Worker III in APS, you will make a significant impact through face‑to‑face home visits, comprehensive psychosocial assessments, and the development of individualized service plans that promote safety and stability for vulnerable adults. At the same time, you will navigate complex situations, working independently in the field, collaborating closely with law enforcement and multidisciplinary partners, and applying strong critical‑thinking skills to meet state mandates and respond effectively to evolving client needs.

It is a role for professionals who thrive in dynamic environments, value autonomy, and are energized by making a tangible difference in the lives of others.

• Respond to allegations of abuse throughout San Mateo County and complete thorough assessments of client strengths, risks, and needs.
• Conduct face‑to‑face home visits, psychosocial evaluations, and develop individualized service plans in alignment with state mandates.
• Collaborate closely with law enforcement, hospitals, behavioral health, community agencies, and informal support networks.
• Attend required APS state training and participate in Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) meetings to support coordinated care.
• Provide crisis intervention and implement a wide range of social work strategies aimed at mitigating risk.
• Assess need for services such as health care, in‑home support, personal care, money management, substitute decision‑making, or conservatorship.
• Prepare documentation and maintain accurate, timely case records across multiple information systems.
• Participate in quality improvement efforts and contribute to ongoing program development.

• A Master’s degree in Social Work.
• Experience responding to allegations of abuse or providing crisis intervention.
• Ability to work independently and confidently in the field.
• Experience conducting assessments to determine abuse, risk, and service needs.
• Skill in independently developing and implementing care plans.
• Experience with client‑centered care coordination.
• Comfort working with diverse populations across socioeconomic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds.
• Abi…