Social Work Case Manager Jobs in California
Social Work Case Manager jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in county human services agencies, large hospital systems, behavioral health organizations, and child welfare programs, with openings at every level from entry-level case aide to senior care coordinator. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego account for the largest share of postings, where employers such as Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, and the County of Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services maintain consistent hiring pipelines. The most in-demand specialties are child welfare, behavioral health case management, and medical social work. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Santa Cruz Community Health (SCCH) is a multi-site, Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) serving Santa Cruz County residents. SCCH began as a women's health collective in 1974 with the mission to improve the health of our patients and the community and advocate the feminist goals of social, political, and economic equality. Now, 50 years later, we serve that same mission at our three clinic sites: the Santa Cruz Women's Health Center in downtown Santa Cruz serving women and children; the Live Oak Health Center serving everyone; and the Santa Cruz Mountain Health Center providing appropriate and expanded access to care for our patients in the San Lorenzo Valley.
Driven by our commitment to health care as a human right, SCCH is a leading non-profit provider offering comprehensive health services to our patients, regardless of their ability to pay. We have been recognized in the community as a leader in delivering high-quality, innovative care, and we are active in local, state, and national advocacy work that empowers our patients and community to be healthy, happy, and successful.
SCCH has a diverse patient population and an engaging and friendly work environment. Our caring and committed staff works as a team to fulfill our mission so that all our patients have access to quality, whole-person health care.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Social Work Case Manager (SWCM) is a vital member of Santa Cruz Community Health’s integrated delivery model that takes a whole-person, team-based approach to serving patients. Case Managers undertake a collaborative process of assessment, treatment-planning, facilitation, care coordination, evaluation, and advocacy for options and services to meet an individual’s and family’s comprehensive health needs.
Reports to: Case Management Supervisor
Classification: Full-Time, Exempt, Salary
Hours: Varies; Days and One Evening Shift Per Week
Location: Hybrid; Clinic/Community/Remote
Compensation: (Bachelor's Level): $65,557 - $78,778/yr; (Master's Level): $74,298 - $87,781/yr
Language: Bilingual in English and Spanish Preferred
BENEFITS:
We offer a remarkable benefits package designed to support your well-being and work-life balance! Enjoy competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits suite for those working 20+ hours per week, including employer-subsidized health, dental, vision, and life insurance plans, plus optional pet insurance and supplemental coverage; coverage kicks in the first of the month after 30 days of employment. From day one, you'll accrue paid time off, have paid holidays, and a 2% automatic 401K enrollment with a 2% company match. You'll also benefit from access to a wellness reimbursement program, a telecommuting stipend when applicable, plus, we cover license and certification fees and CME (fees and days off). Celebrate with us at monthly staff events and bi-annual company-wide celebrations and take advantage of ongoing training opportunities.
QUALIFICATIONS:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- A bachelor's degree in social work, psychology or related field from an accredited college/university and at least six (6) months experience providing mental health services, including intensive case management or health care coordination; OR
- Associate’s degree and three (3) years’ experience of direct services in mental health, community services, health care coordination, and/or case management, OR
- High School Graduate or G.E.D. equivalent and four (4) years of direct services in mental health, community services, health care coordination, and/or case management
- Understanding of community resources and ability to easily build rapport and maintain engagement with patients served.
- Strong computer skills, including able to easily navigate around health care systems
- General understanding of the complex needs of families in our community
- Ability to assess safety risks
- Knowledge of basic medical and psychiatric terminology
- Must have valid CA driver’s license and clean driving record
- Ability to move between sites and perform duties in the field in a variety of settings
- Knowledge of or reasonable ability to learn use of Electronic Health Record
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Case management/patient navigation experience within a community-based health center
- Bilingual in English and Spanish Preferred.
- Knowledge of evidence-based practices including Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction, and Trauma-Informed Care
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with quickly shifting priorities
- Experience with Electronic Health Records
CORE JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Manages an assigned panel of patients who meet criteria for ECM (Enhanced Case Management) services. Patients may qualify for one of several internal programs that offer case management. (Please see below for a description of patient populations served. These are subject to change as rules and regulations change.)
- Operate within ECM program guidelines including offering Medi-Cal program benefits under the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal, also called CalAIM. The SWCM helps Alliance members with complex needs get assistance by coordinating and helping to manage their care for a period of time
- Utilizes screening tools and evidence-based practices to support patient-centered care and mutual goal development.
- Designs and implements care plans that improve the patient experience, improve health outcomes, and reduce barriers to care.
- Provides risk assessment and crisis intervention services as needed.
- Consults and collaborates with members of the patient’s care team, including developing shared treatment plans, goals and interventions.
- Consults and coordinates with community systems to facilitate linkage, manage referrals and advocate for patient needs, with a focus on supporting identified treatment goals
- Maintains patient and program documentation according to HIPAA and SCCH standards and regulations.
- Utilizes Health Information Technology such as SCHIO, Activate Care and/or Unite Us to better serve patients and improve communication with outside agencies.
- Uses critical thinking and common sense to analyze situations, make timely and valid decisions, and take appropriate actions. Must be prepared to adapt to rapidly shifting priorities with grace.
- Expands the interdisciplinary team to include patients, their identified support system, health care providers and community-based professionals with whom the client interacts (e.g. nurses, substance use counselors, behavioral health providers, pharmacy, etc.)
- Works within scope of practice and maintains a high level of ethical standards regarding confidentiality, dual-relationships and professional stature.
- Practices cultural humility in working with diverse patient populations.
- Attends community meetings as assigned and represents the organization professionally and capably.
The Social Work Case Manager may serve one or more of our identified case management populations (subject to change):
- Adults over 18 and some youth, patients with multiple chronic health conditions, behavioral health diagnosis, barriers to care, limited access to resources, unstable housing and other complex factors.
- Office Based Addiction Treatment: Substance use disorder either active or in recovery, motivation toward treatment, engaged in care with OBAT RN, barriers to care, may require linkage to higher level of treatment.
- Perinatal: Perinatal period or pregnancy with increased risk due to lack of resources or support, mental health or substance use challenges, intimate partner violence, or other barriers to care.
SANTA CRUZ COMMUNITY HEALTH IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER (W/M/V/D).
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Social Work Case Manager Job Market in California
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What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in social work case manager jobs across California.
- Active California Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Associate Social Worker (ASW) registration required
- Master of Social Work degree from a CSWE-accredited program strongly preferred
- Experience with documentation in electronic case management or EHR systems
- Knowledge of California Welfare and Institutions Code and Medi-Cal eligibility rules
- Ability to conduct client assessments, develop service plans, and coordinate community resources
- Valid California driver's license and reliable transportation for field-based case visits
Social Work Case Manager Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a social work case manager in California?
Most social work case manager positions in California require at minimum a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), though many clinical or county roles require a Master of Social Work (MSW) from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Graduates pursuing clinical licensure register with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as an Associate Social Worker (ASW) and complete supervised hours toward the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credential. County human services roles often have their own civil service classification requirements in addition to these credentials.
How much do social work case managers make in California?
Social work case managers in California earn a median of about $89,660 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $54,220 for the lowest 10% to over $134,880 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire social work case managers in California?
Employers hiring social work case managers in California right now include Home & Health Care Management, Open Door Community Health Centers, and MarinHealth, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's large integrated health systems, county departments of public social services, and nonprofit community health organizations collectively post a high volume of openings year-round.
Which California cities have the most social work case manager jobs?
Chico, Fresno, and Fortuna have the most social work case manager openings in California. Los Angeles drives the largest share due to the scale of its county human services system and the density of hospital networks, while San Francisco and San Diego draw consistent demand from academic medical centers, behavioral health programs, and large nonprofit social service agencies rooted in those metros.
Are there remote social work case manager jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. The role is largely field-based, requiring in-person client visits, court appearances, and coordination with community providers. About 100% of social work case manager openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting a small but real segment of the market. The portions most amenable to remote work are utilization review, telephonic care management, and insurance-based case coordination roles.
How can I get hired as a social work case manager in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to California county social services departments, which hire case aides and social work assistant classifications that accept candidates with a BSW or relevant bachelor's degree and no prior case management experience. Los Angeles County DCFS, the Alameda County Social Services Agency, and San Diego County Health and Human Services run structured entry-level cohorts for new graduates. Lateral moves from adjacent roles such as crisis counselor, community health worker, or residential counselor are common. Completing your ASW registration with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences immediately after graduation gives you a clear edge.
Where can I find and apply to social work case manager jobs in California?
You can find and apply to social work case manager jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings from employers actively hiring. Find the roles that fit your experience and credentials and apply directly to the ones that match.
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