Clinical Social Work Jobs in California
Clinical Social Work jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in healthcare systems, county behavioral health departments, school districts, and community mental health centers, with openings at every level from associate-level and unlicensed clinicians through licensed clinical supervisors. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego anchor the bulk of hiring, where employers like Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, and the County of Los Angeles Department of Mental Health maintain large, ongoing clinical social work workforces. The most in-demand specialties are child and family services, substance use disorder treatment, and integrated behavioral health within primary care settings. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 46+ Clinical Social Work jobs
Our Transitional Housing Programs provide transitional housing and supportive services to young adults ages 18–24 as they work toward greater stability and independence. The Social Work Case Manager builds supportive relationships with participants and provides individualized, trauma-informed case management focused on each youth’s strengths, needs, and goals. Support includes developing transition plans, building independent living and financial skills, and connecting participants to education, employment, healthcare, behavioral health, housing, and other community resources to help prepare them for a successful transition from the program.
Learn more about YMCA Youth and Family Services programs CLICK HERE
For more on Employee Perks, click on this link: Employee Benefits | YMCA of San Diego County (ymcasd.org)
SCHEDULE:
- This position is Monday – Friday, 9:00AM – 5:30PM
-
In-Person at our Oceanside facility
- Please note that the work designation may change based on business needs.
- Assessment and case planning with each participant; Coordinate case planning with participants and collaborating agencies; Provide services, advocacy and referrals based on participants’ needs through a supportive approach
- Conduct participant-screening interviews and assess service needs in various settings
- Employ critical thinking, problem solving and conflict management during crisis response and interventions
- Facilitate activities individually and in a group setting that promotes life skill development and provide support to participants in relational wellness, positive self-concept and gaining employment and school opportunities among other areas through case management services, workshops, and normative activities
- Create innovative ways to meet contract goals and provide a high level of service that is engaging and meets the needs of the participants
- Keep well-written, concise case notes to include all pertinent information for each participant using required tracking systems; Maintain organized records and case files for all participants
- Position may require the transport of participants in a YMCA vehicle to and from activities and appointments as needed; Practice non-aggressive defensive driving techniques; Operate YMCA vehicles in safe manner; Vehicle use is for YMCA business only
- Perform other administrative tasks as assigned and assist with maintaining proper document storage of confidential information and auditing
- Ensure that YMCA policies & procedures and applicable laws are always adhered to
- Participate in and attend all required staff meetings, trainings, YMCA staff development events, and appropriate agency-wide committees
- Must have access to reliable transportation to travel regularly throughout San Diego County
- Occasional in-state and out-of-state travel
- Bachelor's degree in social science, psychology or a related field and equivalent work experience of up to one year required - OR minimum four years’ experience working with young adults, children or families in a social service setting required
- Knowledge or experience of providing social work practices to individuals and families
- Basic computer knowledge and skills
- Ability to practice independent judgment critical thinking and self-regulation skills during high stress situations
- Work effectively with a wide variety of people and populations by consistently exercising tact and good judgement
- Work independently and within a team, be flexible, adapt, and manage multiple assignments
- Licensing, state law and our funders require that applicants of critical positions within Community Support Services be fingerprinted, prior to reporting to work, and include subsequent arrest notifications
- CPR/AED, and First Aid Certification, must include Adult and Child/Infant, within 30 days of hire, and must be from one of the following certifying organizations: American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or American Safety and Health Institute
-
Position will require additional clearances in order to comply with all program, licensing, state law, and funding requirements:
- Pass pre-employment drug testing prior to first day
- Exclusion and Debarment checks prior to first day and monthly thereafter
Our Transitional Housing Programs provide transitional housing and supportive services to young adults ages 18–24 as they work toward greater stability and independence. The Social Work Case Manager builds supportive relationships with participants and provides individualized, trauma-informed case management focused on each youth’s strengths, needs, and goals. Support includes developing transition plans, building independent living and financial skills, and connecting participants to education, employment, healthcare, behavioral health, housing, and other community resources to help prepare them for a successful transition from the program.
Learn more about YMCA Youth and Family Services programs CLICK HERE
For more on Employee Perks, click on this link: Employee Benefits | YMCA of San Diego County (ymcasd.org)
SCHEDULE:
- This position is Monday – Friday, 9:00AM – 5:30PM
-
In-Person at our Oceanside facility
- Please note that the work designation may change based on business needs.
- Assessment and case planning with each participant; Coordinate case planning with participants and collaborating agencies; Provide services, advocacy and referrals based on participants’ needs through a supportive approach
- Conduct participant-screening interviews and assess service needs in various settings
- Employ critical thinking, problem solving and conflict management during crisis response and interventions
- Facilitate activities individually and in a group setting that promotes life skill development and provide support to participants in relational wellness, positive self-concept and gaining employment and school opportunities among other areas through case management services, workshops, and normative activities
- Create innovative ways to meet contract goals and provide a high level of service that is engaging and meets the needs of the participants
- Keep well-written, concise case notes to include all pertinent information for each participant using required tracking systems; Maintain organized records and case files for all participants
- Position may require the transport of participants in a YMCA vehicle to and from activities and appointments as needed; Practice non-aggressive defensive driving techniques; Operate YMCA vehicles in safe manner; Vehicle use is for YMCA business only
- Perform other administrative tasks as assigned and assist with maintaining proper document storage of confidential information and auditing
- Ensure that YMCA policies & procedures and applicable laws are always adhered to
- Participate in and attend all required staff meetings, trainings, YMCA staff development events, and appropriate agency-wide committees
- Must have access to reliable transportation to travel regularly throughout San Diego County
- Occasional in-state and out-of-state travel
- Bachelor's degree in social science, psychology or a related field and equivalent work experience of up to one year required - OR minimum four years’ experience working with young adults, children or families in a social service setting required
- Knowledge or experience of providing social work practices to individuals and families
- Basic computer knowledge and skills
- Ability to practice independent judgment critical thinking and self-regulation skills during high stress situations
- Work effectively with a wide variety of people and populations by consistently exercising tact and good judgement
- Work independently and within a team, be flexible, adapt, and manage multiple assignments
- Licensing, state law and our funders require that applicants of critical positions within Community Support Services be fingerprinted, prior to reporting to work, and include subsequent arrest notifications
- CPR/AED, and First Aid Certification, must include Adult and Child/Infant, within 30 days of hire, and must be from one of the following certifying organizations: American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or American Safety and Health Institute
-
Position will require additional clearances in order to comply with all program, licensing, state law, and funding requirements:
- Pass pre-employment drug testing prior to first day
- Exclusion and Debarment checks prior to first day and monthly thereafter
See All 46 Clinical Social Work Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Clinical Social Work JobsClinical Social Work Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Clinical Social Work Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in clinical social work jobs across California.
- Active California Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credential issued by the BBS
- Master of Social Work degree from a CSWE-accredited program required
- Experience providing individual, group, or family therapy in a clinical setting
- Proficiency with electronic health records such as Epic, Cerner, or similar platforms
- Knowledge of Medi-Cal documentation standards and California Welfare and Institutions Code
- Bilingual Spanish-English fluency preferred for roles serving California's diverse communities
Clinical Social Work Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a clinical social work in California?
To work as a licensed clinical social worker in California, you must earn a Master of Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program, complete the required supervised clinical hours as an Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW) registered with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences, and pass both the ASWB Clinical Exam and the California Law and Ethics Exam. The BBS oversees registration and licensure throughout the entire process.
Which companies hire clinical social works in California?
Employers hiring clinical social works in California right now include California State University, Home & Health Care Management, and University of California - San Francisco, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's large integrated health systems and county behavioral health departments tend to post the most consistent clinical social work openings year-round.
Which California cities have the most clinical social work jobs?
Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Chico have the most clinical social work openings in California. Los Angeles leads because of the sheer size of its county health system and nonprofit behavioral health sector, while San Francisco and San Diego draw volume from academic medical centers, VA facilities, and large federally qualified health centers serving dense urban populations.
Are there remote clinical social work jobs in California?
Yes, more than most clinical roles allow. About 14% of clinical social work openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting a sustained shift toward telehealth therapy following statewide parity expansions. Individual and group therapy sessions, care coordination, and utilization review positions are the most consistently offered in remote or hybrid formats.
How can I get hired as a clinical social work in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is registering as an Associate Clinical Social Worker with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences immediately after graduating, then targeting county behavioral health departments, federally qualified health centers, and nonprofit community mental health agencies, which routinely hire ACSWs and provide the BBS-required supervised hours. County of Los Angeles, Alameda County Behavioral Health, and large FQHCs like LifeLong Medical Care run structured associate programs. Fluency in a second language and any field placement in substance use or child welfare settings strengthens an early application considerably.
Where can I find and apply to clinical social work jobs in California?
You can find and apply to clinical social work jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings tied to California employers. Search the listings for roles that match your license level, specialty, and preferred location, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 46 Clinical Social Work Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Clinical Social Work Jobs