The demand for social workers is at an all time high, and if you have the qualifications getting a job is not hard. There are dozens of different areas of need for social worker, from healthcare and education to law enforcement and the military.
Although careers in social work may not pay as well as other vocations with similar education requirements, social worker jobs, especially state and federal government positions, can offer solid benefit packages.
Many ‘social worker’ job descriptions prefer an advanced degree or credentialing, but a bachelor’s degree or specialized state sponsored credentialing program can be enough to get your foot in the door.
To help get a feel of what may be required for social work, we’ve pulled job descriptions for Social Workers from all-around the country. Each job is in a different part of the United States and every job description and employer is unique.
Mental Health Liaison, Rocky Mountain Area
Qualifications: A degree or advanced degree in mental health field such as social work, school counseling, psychology, mental health counseling, human development and family studies, or related field required. 1 year of previous experience working with children and/or families is required. Previous Head Start experience preferred.
Pay: $17.14-$23.09/hour depending on experience and education.
Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, life, accident insurance, 401K, short and long-term disability, $2,400 HSA Match.
Social Worker (Foster Care), Southern California
Qualifications: Master’s Degree or higher from an accredited or state approved graduate school in social work or social welfare, marriage, family, and child counseling, child psychology, child development, counseling psychology or social psychology.
In addition to the degree specifications, all of the following coursework and field practice or experience shall be required:
At least three semester units or 100 days of field practice or experience in a public or private social services agency setting at the Master’s Degree level; nine semester units of coursework related to children and families, or 18 months experience in working with children and families. Three semester units in working with minority populations; six months of experience in working with minority populations; or six months in-service training in working with minority populations within the first year of employment as a condition of employment. Three semester units in child welfare, or two years of experience in a public or private child welfare social services setting.
Pay: Estimate $45,000 per year
Licensure or Certification: Must be licensed or certified by a state at the advanced practice level which included an advanced generalist or clinical examination, unless they are grandfathered by the state in which they are licensed to practice at the advanced practice level (except for licenses issued in California, which administers its own clinical examination for advanced practice) and they must be able to provide supervision for licensure.
Pay: $81,723 – $106,245 a year
Benefits: A career with the U.S. Government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits.
Social Worker, LCSW, Central New Jersey
Qualifications: Graduate of an accredited school in social work or related field; having a bachelor’s degree in social work or a bachelor’s degree in a human service field including but not limited to sociology, special education, rehabilitation counseling, and psychology. State certified by the Board of Social Work Examiners as CSW or LSW. Knowledge of Long-term / Sub-acute settings.
Pay: From $25 per hour.
Social Worker MSW I, North Texas
Job Description: The ideal Social Worker MSW will have knowledge of the principles and methods to restore or enhance social, psychosocial, or bio-psychosocial functioning of individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations and communities. They will have listening and interpersonal skills, verbal and written communication skills and the ability to handle grief.
Qualifications: Minimum/no experience required. Masters degree and one of the following certifications required: Lic Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Lic Masters Social Worker (LMSW), Lic Master Social Wrk AdvPrac (LMSW-AP): License Masters Social Worker (LMSW) or a License Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or License Master Social Wrk Advance Practice (LMSW-AP).
Pay: Estimated $55K to $70K annually
Benefits: Immediate eligibility for health and welfare benefits. 401(k) savings plan with dollar-for-dollar match up to 5%. Tuition Reimbursement. PTO accrual beginning Day 1.