Social Services Specialist Jobs in Arkansas
Social services specialist jobs in Arkansas are concentrated in state and county government agencies, nonprofit human services organizations, and child welfare systems, with demand at every level from entry-level caseworkers to senior program coordinators. Little Rock, Fayetteville, and Fort Smith are the largest hiring markets, home to anchor employers such as the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Hendrix College's community partnership programs, and Tobacco Settlement Commission-funded behavioral health networks. Child protective services, Medicaid eligibility determination, and mental health case management are the most consistently active specialties. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 13+ Social Services Specialist jobs
Req ID: 59084
Location:
Russellville, AR, US, 72801
#job-location.job-location-inline { display: inline; }
Category: AR DEPT OF HUMAN SERVICES
Anticipated Starting Salary: $52,137.07
Position Number: 22098521
County: Pope
Posting End Date: August 25, 2026
The Social Services Specialist plays a critical role in supporting the safety, permanency, and well-being of Arkansas children and youth through quality case management. DCFS is committed to ensuring every child has the opportunity to grow up in a safe, stable, and nurturing environment. Through quality case management, engagement with families, and collaboration with community partners, the Social Services Specialist helps strengthen families, support permanency, and promote positive outcomes for children and youth.
Preferred Qualifications:
A bachelor’s degree, experience in working with children and/or families, some experience with community engagement or community resources. Organizational and Time Management skills are a must.
The Department of Human Services is a place for people passionate about serving others and changing lives for the better. We care for Arkansans of all ages and ensure places like child care centers and nursing homes are safe. We are the safety net for the most vulnerable Arkansans. Whether you answer the phones, take applications, protect children, or help care for residents or patients at one of our facilities, you make a difference by working at DHS. Plus, working for the State has great perks, including a pension, maternity leave, paid state holidays, and much more. At DHS, we take care of our employees so you can help care for others.
Position Information
Job Series: Social Services Programs - Career Path
Classification: Social Services Specialist
Class Code: SSP16P
Pay Grade: SGS06
Salary Range: $52,137 - $77,163
Job Summary
The Social Services Specialist provides case management, client advocacy, and program support for individuals and families in need. This role requires assessing client needs, connecting individuals to community resources, and maintaining compliance with social services policies.
Primary Responsibilities
Assess client eligibility and provide individualized case management. Develop service plans tailored to client needs. Conduct home visits, interviews, and risk assessments. Maintain detailed case records and documentation. Advocate for clients in legal, medical, and housing matters.
Knowledge and Skills
Knowledge of crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques Knowledge of Arkansas social service laws, policies, and regulations Ability to analyze client needs and create action plans Understanding of behavioral health and protective services
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum of two years of work experience in human services programs or public service. Required to have a background check and child/adult maltreatment registry check.
Licensure/Certifications
N/A OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.
The State of Arkansas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.
Req ID: 59084
Location:
Russellville, AR, US, 72801
#job-location.job-location-inline { display: inline; }
Category: AR DEPT OF HUMAN SERVICES
Anticipated Starting Salary: $52,137.07
Position Number: 22098521
County: Pope
Posting End Date: August 25, 2026
The Social Services Specialist plays a critical role in supporting the safety, permanency, and well-being of Arkansas children and youth through quality case management. DCFS is committed to ensuring every child has the opportunity to grow up in a safe, stable, and nurturing environment. Through quality case management, engagement with families, and collaboration with community partners, the Social Services Specialist helps strengthen families, support permanency, and promote positive outcomes for children and youth.
Preferred Qualifications:
A bachelor’s degree, experience in working with children and/or families, some experience with community engagement or community resources. Organizational and Time Management skills are a must.
The Department of Human Services is a place for people passionate about serving others and changing lives for the better. We care for Arkansans of all ages and ensure places like child care centers and nursing homes are safe. We are the safety net for the most vulnerable Arkansans. Whether you answer the phones, take applications, protect children, or help care for residents or patients at one of our facilities, you make a difference by working at DHS. Plus, working for the State has great perks, including a pension, maternity leave, paid state holidays, and much more. At DHS, we take care of our employees so you can help care for others.
Position Information
Job Series: Social Services Programs - Career Path
Classification: Social Services Specialist
Class Code: SSP16P
Pay Grade: SGS06
Salary Range: $52,137 - $77,163
Job Summary
The Social Services Specialist provides case management, client advocacy, and program support for individuals and families in need. This role requires assessing client needs, connecting individuals to community resources, and maintaining compliance with social services policies.
Primary Responsibilities
Assess client eligibility and provide individualized case management. Develop service plans tailored to client needs. Conduct home visits, interviews, and risk assessments. Maintain detailed case records and documentation. Advocate for clients in legal, medical, and housing matters.
Knowledge and Skills
Knowledge of crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques Knowledge of Arkansas social service laws, policies, and regulations Ability to analyze client needs and create action plans Understanding of behavioral health and protective services
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum of two years of work experience in human services programs or public service. Required to have a background check and child/adult maltreatment registry check.
Licensure/Certifications
N/A OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.
The State of Arkansas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.
See All 13 Social Services Specialist Jobs in Arkansas
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Find JobsSocial Services Specialist Jobs by City in Arkansas
Where Arkansas roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Social Services Specialist Job Market in Arkansas
A snapshot from current Arkansas openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Government & Public Sector
What Arkansas Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in social services specialist jobs across Arkansas.
- Active Arkansas Department of Human Services registration or recognized Social Services Licensure preferred
- Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, sociology, or a closely related human services field
- Experience conducting client needs assessments and developing individualized service plans
- Proficiency with Arkansas ANSWER case management system or comparable state database
- Valid Arkansas driver's license and ability to travel to client homes and partner agencies
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for court reports and interagency coordination
Social Services Specialist Jobs in Arkansas: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a social services specialist in Arkansas?
Most social services specialist positions in Arkansas require at least a bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, or a related human services field. The Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board oversees licensure for roles that require it, with the Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker credential being the most common entry-level license. State agency positions, particularly those at the Arkansas Department of Human Services, also require passing a background check and completing agency-specific onboarding training before full caseload assignment.
Which companies hire social services specialists in Arkansas?
Companies currently hiring social services specialists in Arkansas include State of Arkansas, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Arkansas's large public sector, anchored by the Department of Human Services and county-level health units, consistently generates the broadest volume of openings across the state.
Which Arkansas cities have the most social services specialist jobs?
Paris, Camden, and Conway have the most social services specialist openings in Arkansas. Little Rock drives the highest volume as the state capital and home to the Department of Human Services headquarters, while Fayetteville's growth reflects the University of Arkansas medical and nonprofit presence, and Fort Smith's openings are tied to its regional behavioral health and child welfare infrastructure serving western Arkansas.
How can I get hired as a social services specialist in Arkansas with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for Social Services Aide or Family Support Worker roles at the Arkansas Department of Human Services, which regularly accepts candidates without prior case management experience and provides structured onboarding. Completing a field practicum through programs at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock or Arkansas State University gives candidates a meaningful edge. Lateral moves from adjacent roles such as community health worker, residential counselor, or foster care liaison are also common entry points into specialist tracks.
Where can I find and apply to social services specialist jobs in Arkansas?
You can find and apply to social services specialist jobs in Arkansas on Migrate Mate, which lists current Arkansas openings updated regularly. Search for roles that match your experience level and specialization, then apply directly to the ones that fit. No signup is required to search or review job details.
See All 13 Social Services Specialist Jobs in Arkansas
Find roles in Arkansas that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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