Social Worker Jobs in California
Social Worker jobs in California are among the most active in the country, with steady demand across county child welfare agencies, large health systems, school districts, and community mental health centers at every level from entry-level case aide through senior clinical supervisor. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego account for the greatest concentration of openings, where employers like Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles County DCFS, and UCSF Health maintain deep, ongoing hiring pipelines. The most in-demand specialties are clinical mental health, child protective services, and medical social work. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 151+ Social Worker jobs
INTRODUCTION
El Camino Health is committed to hiring, retaining and growing the best and brightest professionals who will carry our mission and vision forward. We are proud of our reputation in the community: One built on compassion, innovation, collaboration and delivering high-quality care. Come join the team that makes this happen.
Applicants MUST apply for position(s) by submitting a separate application for each individual job posting number they are interested in being considered for.
FTE
0
Scheduled Bi-Weekly Hours
0
Work Shift
All Shifts: 8 hours
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Completes psychosocial assessments of patients to evaluate patient needs.
- Supports patients and families to cope with hospitalization and/or new diagnosis.
- Provides support with crisis interventions, grief/bereavement counseling, facilitates family meetings and prepares reports and documents concerning patients.
- Collaborates with care providers including substance abuse navigators, psychiatrists and other specialists in developing treatment recommendations.
- Creates and updates a database of home and community-based psychosocial resources for assigned caseload and for use by the multidisciplinary team.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s degree in social work (MSW) from an accredited school of social work.
- Knowledge of Child Protection Service (CPS) and Adult Protection Service (APS) mandatory reporting laws.
- Two years’ experience in the provision of social services and/or discharge planning in the post-acute care setting preferred.
- Knowledge of basic medical terminology and understanding of chronic and acute disease and how this impacts patients and families functioning.
- Advanced communication skills, models clear communication and conflict resolution skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic medical records license/certification/registration requirements.
LICENSE/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
None
AGES OF PATIENTS SERVED
This position will serve all age groups.
SALARY RANGE:
$54.18 - $72.04 USD Hour
The Physical Requirements and Working Conditions of this job are available. El Camino Health will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with a disability if that will allow them to perform the essential functions of a job unless doing so creates an undue hardship for the hospital, or causes a direct threat to these individuals or others in the workplace which cannot be eliminated by reasonable accommodation.
Sedentary Work - Duties performed mostly while sitting; walking and standing at times. Occasionally lift or carry up to 10 lbs. Uses hands and fingers. - (Physical Requirements-United States of America)
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
El Camino Health seeks and values a diverse workforce. The organization is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of qualifications and competencies. El Camino Health prohibits discrimination in employment based on race, ancestry, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, marital status, age, medical condition or any other status protected by law. In addition to state and federal law, El Camino Health also follows all applicable fair and equitable employment policies from the County of Santa Clara.
INTRODUCTION
El Camino Health is committed to hiring, retaining and growing the best and brightest professionals who will carry our mission and vision forward. We are proud of our reputation in the community: One built on compassion, innovation, collaboration and delivering high-quality care. Come join the team that makes this happen.
Applicants MUST apply for position(s) by submitting a separate application for each individual job posting number they are interested in being considered for.
FTE
0
Scheduled Bi-Weekly Hours
0
Work Shift
All Shifts: 8 hours
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Completes psychosocial assessments of patients to evaluate patient needs.
- Supports patients and families to cope with hospitalization and/or new diagnosis.
- Provides support with crisis interventions, grief/bereavement counseling, facilitates family meetings and prepares reports and documents concerning patients.
- Collaborates with care providers including substance abuse navigators, psychiatrists and other specialists in developing treatment recommendations.
- Creates and updates a database of home and community-based psychosocial resources for assigned caseload and for use by the multidisciplinary team.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s degree in social work (MSW) from an accredited school of social work.
- Knowledge of Child Protection Service (CPS) and Adult Protection Service (APS) mandatory reporting laws.
- Two years’ experience in the provision of social services and/or discharge planning in the post-acute care setting preferred.
- Knowledge of basic medical terminology and understanding of chronic and acute disease and how this impacts patients and families functioning.
- Advanced communication skills, models clear communication and conflict resolution skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic medical records license/certification/registration requirements.
LICENSE/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
None
AGES OF PATIENTS SERVED
This position will serve all age groups.
SALARY RANGE:
$54.18 - $72.04 USD Hour
The Physical Requirements and Working Conditions of this job are available. El Camino Health will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with a disability if that will allow them to perform the essential functions of a job unless doing so creates an undue hardship for the hospital, or causes a direct threat to these individuals or others in the workplace which cannot be eliminated by reasonable accommodation.
Sedentary Work - Duties performed mostly while sitting; walking and standing at times. Occasionally lift or carry up to 10 lbs. Uses hands and fingers. - (Physical Requirements-United States of America)
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
El Camino Health seeks and values a diverse workforce. The organization is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of qualifications and competencies. El Camino Health prohibits discrimination in employment based on race, ancestry, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, marital status, age, medical condition or any other status protected by law. In addition to state and federal law, El Camino Health also follows all applicable fair and equitable employment policies from the County of Santa Clara.
See All 151+ Social Worker Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Social Worker JobsSocial Worker Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Social Worker Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Stanford Medicine Children's Health11
- AltaMed Health Services10
- University of California - San Francisco9
- DaVita7
- LifeLong Medical Care6
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services112
- Education19
- Non-Profit & Social Services17
- Government & Public Sector5
- Insurance5
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in social worker jobs across California.
- Active California LCSW, LMSW, or ASW registration with the California BBS required
- Master of Social Work degree from a CSWE-accredited program required
- Experience with mandated reporting requirements under California law
- Proficiency in documentation systems such as CWS/CMS or county-specific case management platforms
- Bilingual fluency in Spanish strongly preferred for Los Angeles and Central Valley positions
- Valid California driver's license and reliable transportation for field-based roles
Social Worker Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a social worker in California?
To become a licensed social worker in California, you must earn a Master of Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program and register with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. After completing the required supervised hours under an LCSW, you sit for the California Law and Ethics Exam and the ASWB Clinical Exam to obtain your LCSW. Entry-level roles are available to graduates working as Associate Clinical Social Workers while accumulating their supervised hours.
Which companies hire social workers in California?
Employers hiring social workers in California right now include Stanford Medicine Children's Health, AltaMed Health Services, and University of California - San Francisco, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's scale of county government, integrated health systems, and nonprofit community organizations means openings appear across a wider range of employer types than most other states.
Which California cities have the most social worker jobs?
San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Palo Alto have the most social worker openings in California. Los Angeles and San Francisco generate the bulk of postings because of their large county DCFS departments, major health systems, and dense nonprofit sectors, while San Diego's military population and VA presence creates steady demand for veterans services and behavioral health social workers.
Are there remote social worker jobs in California?
Yes, but they're less common than in desk-based fields because much of the work is community-facing or requires in-person assessment. About 9% of social worker openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, and those positions tend to be in care coordination, utilization review, or telehealth behavioral health services rather than direct child welfare or field-based case management roles.
How can I get hired as a social worker in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for social worker trainee or social worker I positions within California county human services departments, which are structured for candidates still completing supervised hours. LA County DCFS, the County of San Diego, and Santa Clara County regularly post trainee-level roles. Graduates registered as Associate Clinical Social Workers with the California BBS are eligible to apply, and prior work as a case manager, behavioral health technician, or family support specialist strengthens your application significantly.
Where can I find and apply to social worker jobs in California?
You can find and apply to social worker jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your experience and specialty, and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 151+ Social Worker Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Social Worker Jobs