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Entry Level Social Worker Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

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Entry Level Social Worker information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$36K

$79.6K

$122.1K

How much do entry level social worker jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level social worker in Riverside, CA is $79,565.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $61,600.00 and $95,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical challenges entry level social workers face when starting out, and how can they overcome them?

Entry level social workers often encounter challenges such as managing large caseloads, dealing with emotionally charged situations, and navigating complex systems like healthcare or social services. Building strong time management and self-care strategies is essential for preventing burnout. New social workers should seek mentorship, participate in regular supervision, and take advantage of training opportunities to develop their skills and resilience. Open communication with colleagues and supervisors also helps build a supportive network for problem-solving and professional growth.

What is the difference between Entry Level Social Worker vs Case Manager?

AspectEntry Level Social WorkerCase Manager
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in social work or related fieldBachelor's degree often preferred; social work background beneficial
Work EnvironmentHospitals, schools, community agenciesHealthcare facilities, social service agencies, community programs
Employer & Industry UsagePublic and private social service organizationsHealthcare providers, insurance companies, social service agencies
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Entry Level Social Workers and Case Managers often share similar educational backgrounds and work environments, focusing on supporting clients and coordinating services. While social workers may handle more complex cases and advocacy, case managers primarily coordinate care and resources. Both roles are essential in social services, with overlapping skills and settings, making them common points of comparison for job seekers.

What Does an Entry-Level Social Worker Do?

The job duties of an entry-level social worker vary. They may work in a group home, as a substance abuse counselor, or provide assistance to a mental health services provider. Entry-level social worker services often focus on gaining clinical experience to become a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). An LCSW may work as a family case coordinator, in social services, or on behalf of a private client. A master’s degree in social work is necessary to become a licensed clinical social worker or LCSW.

What are entry level social workers?

Entry level social workers are professionals who have recently entered the field of social work, often holding a bachelor's degree in social work (BSW) or a related field. They typically assist clients in managing challenges related to mental health, family, housing, or employment under the supervision of experienced social workers. Their responsibilities often include assessing client needs, connecting clients to resources, and providing support or advocacy. Entry level social workers may work in settings such as schools, hospitals, community organizations, or government agencies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Social Worker, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Social Worker, you generally need a bachelor's degree in social work or a related field, along with foundational knowledge of case management and social services. Familiarity with client management databases, documentation systems, and possibly state licensure or certification is typically required. Exceptional interpersonal communication, empathy, and organizational skills help you build trust and effectively advocate for clients. These skills and qualifications are crucial for providing effective support, managing caseloads, and navigating complex social service environments.
What are the most commonly searched types of Social Worker jobs in Riverside, CA? The most popular types of Social Worker jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Social Worker jobs in Riverside, CA? For Entry Level Social Worker jobs in Riverside, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Social Worker jobs in Riverside, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Social Worker jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Entry Level Social Worker jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Entry Level Social Worker job openings:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Social Worker job openings in Riverside, CA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 42% Full Time, and 58% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $79,565 per year, or $38.3 per hour.
Clinical Therapist I/II - Blythe

Clinical Therapist I/II - Blythe

Riverside University Health System

Riverside, CA • On-site

$66K - $106K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision

Re-posted 29 days ago


Riverside University Health System rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 24 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Salary: See Position Description
Location : Blythe
Job Type: Regular
Job Number: 26-79745-01
Department: Behavioral Health
Division: Blythe MH/SU Clinic
Opening Date: 04/23/2026
Closing Date: 8/3/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
For questions regarding this position, please contact the Recruiter listed in the Supplemental Information section.
ABOUT THE POSITION
Applications will be reviewed in the order of when it was received.
Must be currently registered with the Board of Behavioral Sciences as: Associate Clinical Social Worker, an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, or an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor.
This job opening will fill multiple Clinical Therapist I/II vacancies located in Blythe for the Riverside University Health System - Behavioral Health - MH/SU Clinic.
For this recruitment, positions are eligible for a 10% DTR differential that is applied to hours worked. At any time, this differential can be removed.
**LOAN FORGIVENESS** BLYTHE POSITIONS - May qualify for a NHSC Rural Community Loan Repayment Program.
Annual Salary Range
: $66,386 - $106,394
: $76,470 - $121,073
Under supervision, performs a range of therapeutic assignments related to the field of mental or behavioral health services and psychiatric social work, which includes the design and implementation of personalized treatment plans, individual and group psychotherapy, evaluations and investigations, and professional counseling, as applicable by professional licensing laws, in order to meet the needs of consumers or families with mental or emotional disorders; and performs other related duties as required.
The Clinical Therapist I is the unlicensed entry-level of the Clinical Therapist series. This series includes the registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT), the registered Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW), and the registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC). Through education and supervised clinical experience on the job, incumbents in this classification develop advanced diagnostic and treatment skills while gaining qualifying experience for which state licensure is required.
The Clinical Therapist I is required to obtain a license issued by the California State Board of Behavioral Sciences to practice as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, or a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist within six years from the date of hire. Incumbents placed in this classification prior to September 18, 2014, may obtain licensure within eight years from the date of hire. Clinical Therapist I is a natural progression underfill for the class of Clinical Therapist II. Incumbents will be promoted to Clinical Therapist II after obtaining a satisfactory performance evaluation and upon providing proof of licensure.
The Clinical Therapist II is the journey and licensed level of the Clinical Therapist series. Positions in this class include the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). The Clinical Therapist II class has responsibility for performing, within the scope of licensure, a full range of psychotherapy and counseling for individual consumers, couples, families, and groups exhibiting a variety of mental health and related disorders in a clinic or institutional setting. Assignments range from average difficulty to very complex and may include serving in a lead capacity over other mental health treatment staff. The Clinical Therapist II is distinguished from the Senior Clinical Therapist in that the latter is the lead level classification, responsible for the most complex assignments or providing extensive clinical supervision over unlicensed clinicians.
Meet the Team!
Riverside University Health System - Behavioral Health is a leading provider of mental health and substance use services in Riverside County. With a dedicated team of professionals, including psychiatrists, clinicians, peer specialists, and paraprofessionals, RUHS-BH serves over 45,000 individuals annually.
We are committed to delivering culturally competent, evidence-based care across all ages. Our programs, including Mental Health Services, Substance Use Services, and the Public Guardian's Office, address the diverse needs of our community.
At RUHS Behavioral Health, you'll join a compassionate, innovative team where your skills make a real difference. We offer opportunities for growth, collaboration, and meaningful impact.
If you're passionate about advancing your career while improving mental health in Riverside County, RUHS Behavioral Health is the place for you!
For more information, please visit
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES
• Interview consumers, relatives, and other involved persons to gather personal and social data relevant to assessing mental or emotional disorders.
• Develop service plans with consumers; evaluate psychological, economic, vocational, educational, physical, health, socialization, and housing needs.
• Coordinate with other staff members (psychiatrists, psychologists, and other program staff) and community agencies in carrying out and designing treatment or rehabilitation plans.
• Assist consumers and other concerned individuals in understanding the nature of major psychological illnesses and their psychosocial effects.
• Assist consumers and their families in understanding and choosing options of mental health treatment.
• Initiate and conduct individual, collateral, group, and family therapy sessions.
• Establish and maintain effective contact with local area mental health resources, including community members, parents, schools, residential facilities, and other agencies/organizations.
• Perform specialized tasks including involuntary hospitalization procedures (5150) and Tarasoff assessments.
• Participate in mental health conferences and local area committees.
• Prepare reports and write correspondence.
• Provide guidance to volunteers and staff.
• Act as a casework consultant to other clinical therapists and other departmental staff.
• Licensed level, within the scope of licensure, may provide clinical supervision to unlicensed clinicians.
• Coordinate clinical decisions in response to operational demands.
• Conduct clinical discussions regarding complex or difficult cases.
• Respond to emergencies, within licensure, which may occur on the unit.
• Coordinate the flow of information and clinical data to ensure continuity in treatment or shift.
• Serve as liaison with other sections, units, services, and agencies.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
To review which position you qualify for please click on the links provided below.
Click here to review job qualifications.
Salary Range: $31.91 - $51.15 Hourly
Click here to review , job qualifications.
Salary Range: $36.76- $58.20 Hourly
Education: Possession of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university in clinical or counseling psychology, social work, marriage and family therapy, or a closely related behavioral science field
.AND
Certificate: Clinical Therapist I must have possession of a valid certificate of registration as an Associate Clinical Social Worker, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, or Associate Professional Clinical Counselor issued by the California State Board of Behavioral Sciences.
Clinical Therapist II must have possession of a valid certificate of registration as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor issued by the California State Board of Behavioral Sciences.
Other Requirements
License/Certificate: Possession of a valid California Driver's License may be required.
Possession of valid Basic Life Support (BLS) certificates issued by the American Heart Association may be required.
Bilingual Testing
The Human Resources Department will coordinate a Bilingual (Spanish) Non-Proctored Assessment, which may be required for positions designated as bilingual.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
County of Riverside Human Resources Contact:
For more information regarding this position, please contact the recruiter, Jammie Smith,at or (951) 955-6965Please allow one-to-two business days for a response to general inquiries.
APPLICATION INFORMATION
Veteran's Preference
The County has a Veterans Preference Policy applicable to new hires. To qualify, attach the required documents to your job application. Documents include a copy of your (or your spouse's) Member-4 Form DD-214 indicating dates of service. For spousal preference, and as applicable, the following documents: a copy of your marriage certificate, spouse's death certificate, a letter of spouse's disability and/or letter of service-related death (if available) from the U.S. Veteran's Administration. For privacy reasons, it is recommended that you remove your social security information from the document(s). A Human Resources Representative will review the materials and determine if you qualify for veterans' preference. For complete details and documentation requirements, please review the Veterans Preference Policy, C-3 here:
Reasonable Accommodations
The County of Riverside is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter for the position noted above. For additional information and/or to obtain the appropriate form for requesting a reasonable accommodation, please visit the Disability Access Office web page located at:
Proof of Education
If using education to qualify or when requested by the recruiter, upload a copy of any license(s), official/unofficial transcript(s), degrees, and/or related employment documents to your NeoGov account at the time of application and before the closing date. Official or unofficial transcripts will be accepted.
If your education was completed outside of the United States, you will need to provide a copy of your Foreign Education Equivalency evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services () or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. ().
Work Authorization Requirement
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application. The County of Riverside does not participate in visa sponsorship programs, including H1-B visas, and will not provide sponsorship for any employment-based visas.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The County of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the County of Riverside to provide equal employment opportunities for all qualified persons. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, or any other non-job-related factors.
Pre-Employment
All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements including a criminal background investigation, which involves fingerprinting. (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from County employment). A pre-employment physical examination and background check may be required.
Probationary Period
As an Approved Local Merit System, all County of Riverside employees, except those serving "At Will," are subject to the probationary period provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, County Resolution, or Salary Ordinance. Temporary and Per Diem employees serve at the pleasure of the agency/department head.
General Information
Current County of Riverside and/or current employees of the hiring department may receive priority consideration. Qualified candidates may be considered for future County vacancies.
Job postings may close without notice based on application volume. Submit your complete application by the recruitment close date; no late applications are accepted. Ensure all relevant experience/education is reflected on your application/resume, as a failure to demonstrate position requirements may disqualify applicants. A description of job duties directly copied from the job classification or job posting will not be considered.
Please read and follow any special application instructions on this posting. Click the 'Apply' link located on this page to submit your application. For additional instructions on the application process, examinations, Veteran's preference, pre-employment accommodation or other employment questions, please refer to our web site,
If you are experiencing technical problems, you may contact the governmentjobs.com applicant support desk Monday through Friday, 6 am to 5 pm Pacific Time at support@governmentjobs.com or toll-free 1-855-524-5627.
BENEFIT PROGRAM: SEI
MEDICAL/DENTAL/VISION INSURANCE: A choice of different medical, dental and visions plan are available to elect. The County provides a Flexible Benefit Credit contribution as governed by the applicable SEIU Memorandum of Understanding to contribute towards the cost of these plans.
Note: Employees on assignment through the Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) receive different benefits. See the list
MISCELLANEOUS RETIREMENT: County of Riverside has three retirement Tiers through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS).
  • Tier I (Classic Member - Formula 3% @ 60): Applicable to current

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