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Chief Social Worker information

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$34.5K

$76.3K

$117K

How much do chief social worker jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for chief social worker in the United States is $76,266.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59,000.00 and $91,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a chief social worker?

Chief Social Workers are senior leaders within social services organizations or government agencies who oversee the strategic direction, quality, and effectiveness of social work practice. They provide expert guidance on social work policy, standards, and workforce development. Their role includes advocating for best practices, supporting professional development, and ensuring that social work services meet the needs of individuals and communities. Chief Social Workers often advise on complex cases and help shape national or regional social care policy.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a chief social worker?

To thrive as a Chief Social Worker, you need advanced expertise in social work practice, leadership, and policy, generally supported by a master's degree in social work (MSW) and relevant licensure. Familiarity with case management systems, regulatory compliance tools, and quality assurance frameworks is typically required. Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and interpersonal communication skills help foster effective teams and drive organizational change. These competencies are crucial for ensuring high standards of care, regulatory adherence, and the successful implementation of social work initiatives across an organization.

How does a chief social worker typically collaborate with other departments within an organization?

A Chief Social Worker often collaborates closely with departments such as clinical services, human resources, and community outreach to ensure that social work practices are aligned with organizational goals and client needs. They participate in multidisciplinary meetings, contribute to policy development, and provide guidance on complex cases that require input from multiple specialties. This collaborative approach helps to integrate social work perspectives into broader service delivery and fosters a culture of holistic, client-centered care.

What is the difference between Chief Social Worker vs Social Worker?

AspectChief Social WorkerSocial Worker
CredentialsTypically requires a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) and state licensureRequires a Bachelor’s or Master’s in Social Work (BSW or MSW) and licensure
Work EnvironmentLeadership role overseeing social work teams in healthcare, government, or community agenciesDirect client service in hospitals, schools, or social service agencies
Employer & IndustryHealthcare, government, or large social service organizationsHospitals, schools, clinics, or community agencies

The main difference is that the Chief Social Worker holds a leadership position with oversight responsibilities, while a Social Worker provides direct client services. Both roles require similar credentials, but the Chief Social Worker typically manages teams and develops policies, whereas the Social Worker focuses on individual client care.

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Chief Social Worker jobs near you
Infographic showing various Chief Social Worker job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 78% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 20% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $76,266 per year, or $36.7 per hour.

Social Worker - Caregiver Support Program

Marshfield, MO • On-site

SD Department of Veterans Affairs
See more jobs at SD Department of Veterans Affairsexternal

$70K/yr

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

The Caregiver Support Program Social Worker primary responsibilities are providing clinical services and interventions; program development; Caregiver, Veteran and staff education on Caregiver issues; community outreach; resource development; continuous quality improvement activities; and evaluation/consultation.
Qualifications:Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred to and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
Basic Requirements:
  • United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
  • Education: Have a master's degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Graduates of schools of social work that are in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until the School of Social Work is fully accredited. A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree in social work. Verification of the degree can be made by going to http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a Master of Social Work.
  • Licensure: Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-0185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. Current state requirements may be found by going to http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/.
  • Exception: VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for people who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinations. This exception only applies at the GS-9 grade level. For the GS-11 grade level and above, the candidate must be licensed or certified. At the time of appointment, the supervisor, chief social work or social work executive will provide the unlicensed/uncertified social worker with the written requirements for licensure or certification, including the time by which the license or certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed or certified by the deadline. (a) For appointments at the GS-9 grade level, VHA social workers who are not licensed or certified at the time of appointment must become licensed or certified at the independent, master's level within three years of their appointment as a social worker. Most states require two years of post-MSW experience as a prerequisite to taking the licensure/certification exam, and VHA gives social workers one additional year to pass the licensure/certification exam. In states such as California, Washington, and others where the prerequisites for licensure exceed two years, social workers must become licensed at the independent, master's level within one year of meeting the full state prerequisites for licensure. (b) A social worker who does not yet have a license that allows independent practice must be supervised by a licensed independent practitioner of the same discipline who is a VA staff member and who has access to the electronic health record.
  • Grandfathering Provision: May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria.
  • English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).

GRADE DETERMINATIONS: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.
Social Worker, GS-9
(1) Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements.
(2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs:
  • Ability to utilize a Veteran centric approach when providing interventions and counseling for Veterans, their family members, caregivers, and survivors.
  • Ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members, and to formulate and implement a treatment plan, identifying the Veterans problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and assistance needed.
  • Ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups to achieve treatment goals. This requires judgment and skill in utilizing supportive, problem solving, or crisis intervention techniques.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies.
  • Fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures. This includes acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries; common medications and their effects/side effects; and medical terminology.

Social Worker, GS-11
(1) Experience and Licensure. Appointment to the GS-11 grade level requires completion of a minimum of one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in the field of health care or other social work-related settings, (VA or non-VA experience) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level. NOTE: For appointment licensure or certification at this level please refer to paragraph 3c.
OR
(2) Education. In addition to meeting basic requirements, a doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work may be substituted for the required one year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting.
(3) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs.
  • Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services.
  • Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic, educational, and other backgrounds.
  • Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities and treatment procedures (i.e. acute, chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology) to formulate a treatment plan.
  • Skill in independently implementing different treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical, and social problems to achieve treatment goals.
  • Ability to provide consultation services to new social workers, social work graduate students, and other staff about the psychosocial needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and compliance with treatment.

Preferred Experience:
  • 1-2 years' experience with case management
  • 1-2 years' experience working with caregivers
  • 1-2 years' experience with home visits
  • Knowledge of VHA and VBA resources
  • Lean training (yellow belt)

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.
The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9 to GS-11.Education:Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.Employment Type: OTHER

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