Human Services Agency Social Worker – San Francisco Human Services Agency (2918) (X00101)

This is a Citywide Exam posting. Your application to this posting is an application to take a citywide exam.

If you pass the exam, you will be emailed your score and ranking on the eligible candidate list. When a department has an open position with this job classification, they will use this eligible list to hire for that position. Departments will contact candidates from this list to gauge interest.

Exam Type: Class Based Test

• Application Opening – November 14, 2025
• Application Deadline – The final day to apply is December 1, 2025.
• Compensation: $74,984.00 to $115,258.00 Yearly; https://careers.sf.gov/classifications/?classCode=2918&setId=COMMN
• List ID: CBT-2918-X00101

San Francisco is a vibrant and dynamic city, on the forefront of economic growth & innovation, urban development, arts & entertainment, as well as social issues & change. This rich tapestry of culture and ideas is sustained by our City's commitment to heighten the quality of life for the diverse population of San Franciscans and residents of the greater Bay Area. Our employees play an important role not only in making our City what it is today, but also in shaping the future of San Francisco.

In addition to establishing a career with purpose and opportunity for professional growth, the City offers excellent benefits that include competitive salaries; medical, dental, and vision insurance; defined benefit retirement plan; deferred compensation plan; long-term disability insurance; life insurance; and a generous paid time off package.

Come explore first-hand the many opportunities that the City and County of San Francisco have to offer.

Human Services Agency (HSA)

At the San Francisco Human Services Agency, we believe in a San Francisco where everyone has the opportunity and support to achieve their full potential.  We are comprised of the Department of Benefits and Family Support, and the Department of Disability and Aging Services, and are united by our commitment to deliver essential services that support and protect people, families, and communities.

From financial, nutritional and employment support to child and adult protective services, health care coverage, affordable childcare, and in-home services for older adults and persons with disabilities, our team lends support for all in need.

OUR COMMITMENT TO RACIAL EQUALITY

As we work towards our vision of an inclusive San Francisco, we embrace our responsibility to root out systemic racism by creating services and a workforce which reflect the lived experiences and strengths of the people we serve. We are committed to fostering a work environment where our differences are celebrated and everyone has what they need to thrive--no matter their race, age, ability, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or country of origin. Click here to learn more about what this commitment looks like in action.

The Human Services Agency Social Worker is the entry-level class in the Social Worker series. This class utilizes the deep class concept and encompasses multiple levels of responsibility from entry through the fully-experienced journey level. 

Under supervision, incumbents perform a variety of professional social work duties involving casework, case management, and continuing client investigation and processing for social work programs in various Human Services Agency programs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

1. Schedules and interviews applicants to determine new or continuing service needs.
2. Conducts in-home interviews, as necessary, investigates information received from applicants through telephone or written verifications, and evaluates information to establish eligibility.
3. Assesses, formulates, and develops service plans, goals, and action plans to meet client needs. 
4. Provides case management activities, including identifying and assessing client needs, coordinating and monitoring services, preparing reports and reassessments, and advising and counseling clients regarding family, economic, physical and emotional situations. 
5. Answers questions, provides information, assists clients in preparing forms and reports, and explains Agency policies, rules, and regulations to applicants, clients, and the public.
6. Refers applicants, clients, and the public to other agencies such as Adult Protective Services for conservatorship, placement, or protection when necessary.
7. Initiates and mediates case conferences between workers and contracted staff and conducts orientations for community agencies. 
8. Establishes and maintains contacts with local organizations, nonprofit agencies, businesses, and other interested groups in promoting community resources programs.
9. Assists clients in resolving their problems that prevent or limit their ability to participate in public assistance programs. 
10. Monitors, interacts, and supervises children during intake process, completes placement assessments and assists with requests for emergency placements, and investigates complaints regarding the safety of children in placement.
11. Attends court hearings, composes and prepares correspondence and narratives, maintains case records, document case actions, and completes required forms, and processes actions related to eligibility for social services and ancillary services.
12. Coordinates transfers of clients between Counties and informs clients of procedures.
13. Utilizes productivity tools, such as case management software and Microsoft Office Suite, to complete various work duties, such as gathering data and preparing reports, as required.

Education: Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in social work, sociology, psychology, counseling, or other behavioral science.

Substitution: Experience performing social casework or eligibility casework with a public or private agency/organization may be substituted for the required degree on a year-for-year basis (up to a maximum of two years). Thirty (30) semester or forty-five (45) quarter units equal one year.

Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications requirements by the filing deadline unless otherwise noted.

VERIFICATION OF EXPERIENCE AND/OR EDUCATION:

Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Review SF Careers Employment Applications for considerations taken when reviewing applications.

Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/experience-education/.

Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

All work experience, education, training and other information substantiating how you meet the minimum qualifications must be included on your application by the filing deadline. Information submitted after the filing deadline will not be considered in determining whether you meet the minimum qualifications.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application.

Applications completed improperly may be cause for ineligibility, disqualification or may lead to lower scores.

1. Job Application – Applicants must fully complete the job application. Information from resumes does not substitute for the information on the job application or preliminary questionnaire.
2. Multiple Choice Examination (Weight: 100%) – Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to take a remote multiple-choice exam. The exam is designed to measure essential knowledge, skills, and abilities in job-related areas which may include, but not limited to: knowledge of interviewing and investigative techniques; office procedures, methods and computer operation; principles and practices of case management, client relations and caseload management; ability to effectively communicate with and elicit information from clients in difficult situations; exercise sound judgment in the performance of duties; and act effectively under stressful situations.

Eligible List/Score Report: A confidential eligible list of applicant names that have passed the civil service examination process will be created and used for certification purposes only. An examination score report will be established, so applicants can view the ranks, final scores and number of eligible candidates. Applicant information, including names of applicants on the eligible list, shall not be made public unless required by law. However, an eligible list shall be made available for public inspection, upon request, once the eligible list is exhausted or expired and referrals resolved. The eligible list/score report resulting from this civil service examination process is subject to change after adoption (e.g., as a result of appeals), as directed by the Human Resources Director or the Civil Service Commission. For more information, visit https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/process/

The duration of the eligible list resulting from this examination process will be twelve (12) months and may be extended with the approval of the Human Resources Director.

Terms of Announcement and Appeal Rights:

Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations. [Note: The correction of clerical errors in an announcement may be posted on the Department of Human Resources website at https://careers.sf.gov/.

The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 110.4. Such appeals must be submitted in writing to the Department of Human Resources, 1 S Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103-5413 by close of business on the 5th business day following the issuance date of this examination announcement. Information concerning other Civil Service Commission Rules involving announcements, applications and examination policies, including applicant appeal rights, can be found on the Civil Service Commission website at https://sf.gov/departments/civil-service-commission.

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

• Information About The Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview  
• Equal Employment Opportunity 
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

Where to Apply

All job applications for the City and County of San Francisco must be submitted through our online portal. Please visit https://careers.sf.gov/ to begin your application process.

Computers are available for the public (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday) to file online applications in the lobby of the Dept. of Human Resources at 1 South Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor and at the City Career Center at City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 110.

Ensure your application information is accurate, as changes may not be possible after submission. Your first and last name must match your legal ID for verification, and preferred names can be included in parentheses. Use your personal email address, not a shared or work email, to avoid unfixable issues.

Applicants will receive a confirmation email from [email protected] that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment and, therefore, it is their responsibility to ensure that their registered email address is accurate and kept up-to-date. Also, applicants must ensure that email from CCSF is not blocked on their computer by a spam filter. To prevent blocking, applicants should set up their email to accept CCSF mail from the following addresses (@sfgov.org, @sfdpw.org, @sfport.com, @flysfo.com, @sfwater.org, @sfdph.org, @asianart.org, @sfmta.com, @sfpl.org, @dcyf.org, @first5sf.org, @famsf.org, @ccsf.edu, @smartalerts.info, and @smartrecruiters.com).

Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received. 

Exam Analyst Information: If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the exam analyst Ryan Brown by email at [email protected]. 

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.