Social Work Jobs in California
Social Work jobs in California are in high demand, with one of the most active hiring markets in the country concentrated in healthcare systems, child welfare agencies, school districts, and community mental health organizations at every level from entry-level case aides through licensed clinical supervisors. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego generate the greatest volume of openings, where large employers such as Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, and Dignity Health maintain consistent hiring pipelines. The most sought-after specialties in California are clinical social work, child protective services, and behavioral health case management. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Job no: 559389
Work type: Instructional Faculty – Tenured/Tenure-Track
Location: East Bay
Categories: Unit 3 - CFA - California Faculty Association, Faculty - Social Sciences, Tenured/Tenure-Track, Full Time
FACULTY EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF SOCIAL WORK (GENERALIST PRACTICE)
FULL-TIME TENURE-TRACK
THE UNIVERSITY: California State University, East Bay (CSUEB), one of the 22 campuses in the California State University (CSU) system, is a comprehensive university serving the San Francisco Bay Area/Silicon Valley. We are proud of our mission to support a richly diverse student body through academically rich and culturally relevant learning experiences. We are designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), as well as an Asian American & Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI). Our student population reflects a variety of abilities and identities. Many are the first in their family to attend college. Our students come from a number of regional community colleges and high schools. The California Mobility Index ranks Cal State East Bay among the top 15 institutions delivering on the promise of economic mobility for low-and moderate-income learners throughout the state. It is the only school in the Bay Area to make the cut. The successful candidate will bring with them expertise or an openness to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all of our students.
We are known for our award-winning programs, expert instruction, diverse student body, and a choice of more than 100 career-focused fields of study. With an enrollment of approximately 10,000 students and 900 faculty, the University offers bachelor’s degrees in 49 fields, minors in 52 fields, master’s degrees in 34 fields, 16 credentials programs, 18 certificate options, and 1 doctoral degree program. Cal State East Bay has two locations: the main 342-acre campus in the Hayward hills and the Concord Center.
THE DEPARTMENT: The Department of Social Work at California State University, East Bay is grounded in the urban communities of the San Francisco Bay Area and prepares social work practitioners with a social justice focus and the values, knowledge, and skills necessary to build partnerships in diverse, multicultural settings. We educate approximately 250 graduate students in our CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work (MSW) program and 120 undergraduate students in our Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program, which was launched in Fall 2025 and is currently in candidacy status with the Council on Social Work Education.
The mission of the MSW program is to graduate culturally responsive urban social workers to serve as advanced practitioners and leaders. MSW graduates competently address individual, family, group, organization, and community needs caused by inequalities of class and identity, including race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, immigration status, religion, caste, and other forms of social injustice. Advocacy and social change from a strengths-based, person-in-environment perspective to address these injustices form the core of the MSW program.
The mission of the BSW program is to graduate generalist practice-level, culturally responsive urban social workers. The BSW program prepares students to attend to individual, family, group, organization, and community needs caused by inequalities of class and identity, including race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, immigration status, religion, caste, and other forms of social injustice. Advocacy and social change to address these injustices from a strengths-based, person-in-environment perspective form the core of the BSW program.
Our BSW and MSW programs are focused on educating and serving communities within the nine-county San Francisco Bay region. Our faculty, through teaching, advising, and the practicum experience, work to foster activism, social justice, commitment to change, and professional competence in students admitted to the program.
DUTIES OF THE POSITION: The successful candidate will be expected to teach and provide curricular leadership in the MSW generalist and advanced generalist practice sequence, with particular attention to culturally responsive, community-engaged, and justice-oriented social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Depending on departmental needs, the candidate may also teach across the MSW and BSW curricula, including practice, policy, human behavior in the social environment, research, capstone, practicum seminar, and/or other courses aligned with the candidate's expertise. Faculty engage in teaching, advising, and research, as well as service at the departmental, college, university, and community levels. As an applied discipline, we emphasize community engagement in our teaching, as well as in other aspects of our work. Faculty must be prepared to teach in-person, hybrid, and/or fully online courses.
Please note that teaching assignments at California State University, East Bay may include courses at the Hayward campus, Concord Center, and/or online. The policy and expectation of the California State University is that tenure-track faculty members will perform their duties within the state of California. In addition to teaching, all faculty have advising responsibilities, assist the department with administrative and/or committee work, and are expected to assume campus-wide committee responsibilities.
RANK AND SALARY: Assistant Professor. Salary is dependent upon educational preparation and experience. Subject to budgetary authorization. Anticipated salary: $80,100-$85,848
DATE OF APPOINTMENT: Fall Semester, 2027.
QUALIFICATIONS: Candidates must hold a Master of Social Work from a CSWE-accredited institution, at least two years of full-time post-master's social work practice experience, and either a Ph.D. in social work, a D.S.W., or a doctorate in a related discipline. The doctorate must be completed by the effective date of the appointment. Candidates must demonstrate preparation to teach MSW generalist and/or advanced generalist practice courses.
Candidates must have at least four months of full-time equivalent experience, approximately one academic term, teaching, advising, and/or mentoring students from diverse educational and cultural backgrounds. This experience may include one semester at full-time or one class per semester for three academic terms; some terms may be as a teaching assistant or tutor. Candidates must have served as instructor of record for at least one social work or social science course at the bachelor's or master's level.
Preferred qualifications include experience teaching MSW practice courses; experience with generalist and/or advanced generalist practice curriculum development; experience teaching in hybrid, online, and/or in-person modalities; familiarity with CSWE competency-based education; and teaching, practice, and/or scholarship that addresses culturally responsive, community-engaged, and justice-oriented social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and/or communities.
Candidates should demonstrate experience in teaching, mentoring, research, or community service that has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence. Additionally, applicants must demonstrate a record of scholarly activity.
This University is fully committed to the rights of students, staff and faculty with disabilities in accordance with applicable state and federal laws. For more information about the University’s program supporting the rights of our students with disabilities see: https://www.csueastbay.edu/accessibility/ For more information about accommodations for employees, contact: Iris Gallardo, Human Resources, at 510-885-2335 or email: iris.gallardo@csueastbay.edu, or the search committee chair Dr. Toni Naccarato (toni.naccarato@csueastbay.edu).
APPLICATION DEADLINE: All positions will be considered open until filled. Review of applications will begin September 15, 2026; applications after this date may not be reviewed. Please submit a letter of application, which addresses the qualifications noted in the position announcement; a complete and current vita via PageUp, unofficial transcripts for the highest degree, names and email addresses for three letters of recommendation; and a teaching and advising statement, no more than two pages, that describes the applicant's preparation to teach MSW generalist and advanced generalist practice while engaging students from diverse educational and cultural backgrounds.
Condition(s) of Employment
California State University, East Bay hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. All offers of employment are contingent upon presentation of documents demonstrating the appointee’s identity and eligibility to work in accordance with provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act. A background check (including a criminal records check and prior employment verification) must be completed and cleared prior to the start of employment. The policy and expectation of the California State University is that all faculty members will perform all of their duties within the state of California.
Satisfactory completion of a background check that may include, but is not limited to: criminal records check, verification of academic credentials, licenses, certificates, credit history, professional references and/or verification of work history is required for employment. Cal State East Bay will issue a conditional offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Unsatisfactory results may also affect the continued employment of current Cal State East Bay employees who were conditionally offered the position.
All background checks are conducted through the university's third party vendor, Accurate.
Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.
EEO Statement
CSUEB is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, or disability. All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal State, East Bay provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. The CSU complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.
Other Information
All California State University campuses, including Cal State East Bay, are smoke and tobacco-free.
In compliance with state and federal crime awareness and campus security legislation, including The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, the Cal State East Bay Annual Campus Security Report is available.
Mandated Reporter
The incumbent in this position may be considered a mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and will be required to comply with requirements set forth in the CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.
Learn more about working at the California State University and the impact of our mission.
Advertised: Jun 22 2026 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close:
Job no: 559389
Work type: Instructional Faculty – Tenured/Tenure-Track
Location: East Bay
Categories: Unit 3 - CFA - California Faculty Association, Faculty - Social Sciences, Tenured/Tenure-Track, Full Time
FACULTY EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF SOCIAL WORK (GENERALIST PRACTICE)
FULL-TIME TENURE-TRACK
THE UNIVERSITY: California State University, East Bay (CSUEB), one of the 22 campuses in the California State University (CSU) system, is a comprehensive university serving the San Francisco Bay Area/Silicon Valley. We are proud of our mission to support a richly diverse student body through academically rich and culturally relevant learning experiences. We are designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), as well as an Asian American & Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI). Our student population reflects a variety of abilities and identities. Many are the first in their family to attend college. Our students come from a number of regional community colleges and high schools. The California Mobility Index ranks Cal State East Bay among the top 15 institutions delivering on the promise of economic mobility for low-and moderate-income learners throughout the state. It is the only school in the Bay Area to make the cut. The successful candidate will bring with them expertise or an openness to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all of our students.
We are known for our award-winning programs, expert instruction, diverse student body, and a choice of more than 100 career-focused fields of study. With an enrollment of approximately 10,000 students and 900 faculty, the University offers bachelor’s degrees in 49 fields, minors in 52 fields, master’s degrees in 34 fields, 16 credentials programs, 18 certificate options, and 1 doctoral degree program. Cal State East Bay has two locations: the main 342-acre campus in the Hayward hills and the Concord Center.
THE DEPARTMENT: The Department of Social Work at California State University, East Bay is grounded in the urban communities of the San Francisco Bay Area and prepares social work practitioners with a social justice focus and the values, knowledge, and skills necessary to build partnerships in diverse, multicultural settings. We educate approximately 250 graduate students in our CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work (MSW) program and 120 undergraduate students in our Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program, which was launched in Fall 2025 and is currently in candidacy status with the Council on Social Work Education.
The mission of the MSW program is to graduate culturally responsive urban social workers to serve as advanced practitioners and leaders. MSW graduates competently address individual, family, group, organization, and community needs caused by inequalities of class and identity, including race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, immigration status, religion, caste, and other forms of social injustice. Advocacy and social change from a strengths-based, person-in-environment perspective to address these injustices form the core of the MSW program.
The mission of the BSW program is to graduate generalist practice-level, culturally responsive urban social workers. The BSW program prepares students to attend to individual, family, group, organization, and community needs caused by inequalities of class and identity, including race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, immigration status, religion, caste, and other forms of social injustice. Advocacy and social change to address these injustices from a strengths-based, person-in-environment perspective form the core of the BSW program.
Our BSW and MSW programs are focused on educating and serving communities within the nine-county San Francisco Bay region. Our faculty, through teaching, advising, and the practicum experience, work to foster activism, social justice, commitment to change, and professional competence in students admitted to the program.
DUTIES OF THE POSITION: The successful candidate will be expected to teach and provide curricular leadership in the MSW generalist and advanced generalist practice sequence, with particular attention to culturally responsive, community-engaged, and justice-oriented social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Depending on departmental needs, the candidate may also teach across the MSW and BSW curricula, including practice, policy, human behavior in the social environment, research, capstone, practicum seminar, and/or other courses aligned with the candidate's expertise. Faculty engage in teaching, advising, and research, as well as service at the departmental, college, university, and community levels. As an applied discipline, we emphasize community engagement in our teaching, as well as in other aspects of our work. Faculty must be prepared to teach in-person, hybrid, and/or fully online courses.
Please note that teaching assignments at California State University, East Bay may include courses at the Hayward campus, Concord Center, and/or online. The policy and expectation of the California State University is that tenure-track faculty members will perform their duties within the state of California. In addition to teaching, all faculty have advising responsibilities, assist the department with administrative and/or committee work, and are expected to assume campus-wide committee responsibilities.
RANK AND SALARY: Assistant Professor. Salary is dependent upon educational preparation and experience. Subject to budgetary authorization. Anticipated salary: $80,100-$85,848
DATE OF APPOINTMENT: Fall Semester, 2027.
QUALIFICATIONS: Candidates must hold a Master of Social Work from a CSWE-accredited institution, at least two years of full-time post-master's social work practice experience, and either a Ph.D. in social work, a D.S.W., or a doctorate in a related discipline. The doctorate must be completed by the effective date of the appointment. Candidates must demonstrate preparation to teach MSW generalist and/or advanced generalist practice courses.
Candidates must have at least four months of full-time equivalent experience, approximately one academic term, teaching, advising, and/or mentoring students from diverse educational and cultural backgrounds. This experience may include one semester at full-time or one class per semester for three academic terms; some terms may be as a teaching assistant or tutor. Candidates must have served as instructor of record for at least one social work or social science course at the bachelor's or master's level.
Preferred qualifications include experience teaching MSW practice courses; experience with generalist and/or advanced generalist practice curriculum development; experience teaching in hybrid, online, and/or in-person modalities; familiarity with CSWE competency-based education; and teaching, practice, and/or scholarship that addresses culturally responsive, community-engaged, and justice-oriented social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and/or communities.
Candidates should demonstrate experience in teaching, mentoring, research, or community service that has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence. Additionally, applicants must demonstrate a record of scholarly activity.
This University is fully committed to the rights of students, staff and faculty with disabilities in accordance with applicable state and federal laws. For more information about the University’s program supporting the rights of our students with disabilities see: https://www.csueastbay.edu/accessibility/ For more information about accommodations for employees, contact: Iris Gallardo, Human Resources, at 510-885-2335 or email: iris.gallardo@csueastbay.edu, or the search committee chair Dr. Toni Naccarato (toni.naccarato@csueastbay.edu).
APPLICATION DEADLINE: All positions will be considered open until filled. Review of applications will begin September 15, 2026; applications after this date may not be reviewed. Please submit a letter of application, which addresses the qualifications noted in the position announcement; a complete and current vita via PageUp, unofficial transcripts for the highest degree, names and email addresses for three letters of recommendation; and a teaching and advising statement, no more than two pages, that describes the applicant's preparation to teach MSW generalist and advanced generalist practice while engaging students from diverse educational and cultural backgrounds.
Condition(s) of Employment
California State University, East Bay hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. All offers of employment are contingent upon presentation of documents demonstrating the appointee’s identity and eligibility to work in accordance with provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act. A background check (including a criminal records check and prior employment verification) must be completed and cleared prior to the start of employment. The policy and expectation of the California State University is that all faculty members will perform all of their duties within the state of California.
Satisfactory completion of a background check that may include, but is not limited to: criminal records check, verification of academic credentials, licenses, certificates, credit history, professional references and/or verification of work history is required for employment. Cal State East Bay will issue a conditional offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Unsatisfactory results may also affect the continued employment of current Cal State East Bay employees who were conditionally offered the position.
All background checks are conducted through the university's third party vendor, Accurate.
Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.
EEO Statement
CSUEB is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, or disability. All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal State, East Bay provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. The CSU complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.
Other Information
All California State University campuses, including Cal State East Bay, are smoke and tobacco-free.
In compliance with state and federal crime awareness and campus security legislation, including The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, the Cal State East Bay Annual Campus Security Report is available.
Mandated Reporter
The incumbent in this position may be considered a mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and will be required to comply with requirements set forth in the CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.
Learn more about working at the California State University and the impact of our mission.
Advertised: Jun 22 2026 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close:
See All 518+ Social Work Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Social Work JobsSocial Work Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Social Work Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- HealthRIGHT 36066
- The People Concern57
- JWCH Institute23
- LifeStance Health15
- ENCOMPASS COMMUNITY SERVICES14
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services312
- Non-Profit & Social Services106
- Education66
- Insurance23
- Government & Public Sector9
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in social work jobs across California.
- Active California LCSW, LMSW, or ASW registration issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences
- Master of Social Work degree from a CSWE-accredited program required for licensed clinical positions
- Experience conducting psychosocial assessments, treatment planning, and case management with diverse populations
- Knowledge of California Welfare and Institutions Code and mandated reporter obligations
- Proficiency with electronic health records systems used in California healthcare and county agency settings
- Bilingual Spanish-English communication skills strongly preferred across Southern California and Central Valley roles
Social Work Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a social work in California?
To work as a social worker in California, you need a degree from a CSWE-accredited program and registration or licensure through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Entry-level roles use the Associate Social Worker registration, while clinical positions require passing the California Law and Ethics Exam and the ASWB Clinical Exam to earn LCSW licensure. A Bachelor of Social Work qualifies you for some non-clinical county and nonprofit roles, but an MSW is required for most licensed positions.
How much do social works make in California?
Social works 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 works in California?
Employers hiring social works in California right now include HealthRIGHT 360, The People Concern, and JWCH Institute, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's mix of large county human services departments, integrated health systems, and community-based nonprofits creates consistent openings well beyond the largest metro areas.
Which California cities have the most social work jobs?
Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego are the California cities with the most social work openings right now. Los Angeles dominates due to the sheer scale of its county child welfare and behavioral health infrastructure, while San Francisco and San Diego draw demand from major health systems, veteran services, and large community mental health networks operating in those metros.
Are there remote social work jobs in California?
Yes, but they're less common than in desk-based fields because many social work roles require in-person client contact, home visits, or court appearances. About 9% of social work openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting a meaningful but limited share of the market. The roles most likely to offer remote or hybrid schedules are care coordination, utilization review, and telehealth clinical counseling positions within larger health systems.
How can I get hired as a social work in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for social work associate or social services aide roles at California county departments of social services, which regularly hire candidates still completing their MSW fieldwork hours. Los Angeles County DCFS, the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, and large nonprofits such as Volunteers of America run structured internship-to-hire pipelines. Completing your California Board of Behavioral Sciences Associate Social Worker registration early and logging supervised hours in a county or community mental health setting gives candidates a clear advantage over those who wait until after graduation.
Where can I find and apply to social work jobs in California?
You can find and apply to social work jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers actively hiring in the state. Search the listings to find roles that match your license level, specialty, and preferred location, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
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