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Social Work Supervisor Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

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Social Work Supervisor information

See Iowa salary details

$45.1K

$73.8K

$108K

How much do social work supervisor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for social work supervisor in Iowa is $73,846.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $63,400.00 and $81,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a social work supervisor?

Social Work Supervisors are experienced social workers who oversee the work of other social workers or case managers within an organization. They provide guidance, support, and professional development to their team, ensuring that clients receive high-quality services. Supervisors are responsible for administrative tasks, such as reviewing case files, conducting performance evaluations, and ensuring compliance with policies and ethical standards. They also help staff manage complex cases and may intervene directly when necessary. Their role is vital in maintaining effective, ethical, and efficient social work practices.

What does a social work supervisor do?

As a social work supervisor, you oversee and provide clinical support for less-experienced social workers. The amount of supervision you give varies, with new workers and interns getting most of the oversight. As part of your duties, you may coordinate activities for the group, order supplies, assign tasks, and otherwise promote professional development in other social workers. Most social work supervisors have various responsibilities, including managing team morale and ensuring the group meets all objectives. As such, you must be flexible and able to prioritize tasks to succeed in this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a social work supervisor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Social Work Supervisor, you need a solid background in social work practice, supervisory experience, and typically a Master's in Social Work (MSW) with relevant licensure. Familiarity with case management systems, documentation software, and compliance with state and federal regulations is crucial. Strong leadership, conflict resolution, and communication skills help motivate teams and ensure effective client support. These competencies are vital for ensuring high-quality service delivery, staff development, and adherence to best practices within social service organizations.

How does a social work supervisor balance administrative duties with providing support to their team?

A Social Work Supervisor is responsible for both overseeing case management tasks and supporting the professional development of their team. Balancing these duties often involves scheduling regular supervision meetings, reviewing documentation for compliance, and providing guidance on complex cases. Supervisors must prioritize time management and clear communication to ensure both administrative responsibilities and staff support needs are met. By fostering an open, collaborative environment, supervisors help social workers navigate challenges while maintaining service quality and meeting organizational goals.

What is the difference between Social Work Supervisor vs Social Worker?

AspectSocial Work SupervisorSocial Worker
CredentialsMaster's degree in social work (MSW), licensure, supervisory certificationMaster's degree in social work (MSW) or Bachelor's (BSW), licensure
Work EnvironmentOversees teams, manages case loads, administrative dutiesDirect client interaction, case management, counseling
Employer & IndustryHospitals, government agencies, non-profitsHospitals, schools, community organizations, clinics

Social Work Supervisors typically hold advanced credentials and oversee social work teams, focusing on administrative and supervisory tasks. Social Workers directly engage with clients, providing counseling and case management. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds but differ in responsibilities and work scope.

What job categories do people searching Social Work Supervisor jobs in Iowa look for?

The top searched job categories for Social Work Supervisor jobs in Iowa are:

Infographic showing various Social Work Supervisor job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $73,846 per year, or $35.5 per hour.

Social Work Manager - Care Coordination Division - 100%

Iowa City, IA • On-site


University of Iowa
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools • 10K+ employees

6.9

Company rating: 6.9 out of 10

Based on 85 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

464th of 623 rated colleges and universities

People enjoy working here

Recommended by students

Respectful managers


Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 19 days ago


Job description

The University of Iowa Health Care is seeking a Social Work Manager for the Adult Care Coordination Division. This position will manage, supervise staff, programs and activities within the adult inpatient, outpatient and ED units and clinics and entitlement programs. This position will provide consultation for difficult mental health assessments, treatments and consultations for adolescents, adults and/or their families. This includes practice skills in areas of social casework, consultation, program management and development, supervision, teaching and training and public education.
This position will adhere to the standards regarding attendance, documentation, continuous quality improvement, statistics, policies & procedures, and the Code of Ethics.
Position Responsibilities:
  • Direct clinical operations of the Adult Social Work team.
  • Oversee schedule of staff work hours, lead organizational meetings, continuously evaluate the status of patients and coordinate treatment activities to ensure attention to their changing needs.
  • Provide direct supervision of Adult Social Work Supervisors and Adult Social Work staff.
  • Recruit, train and provide ongoing supervision for Adult Social Work team staff.
  • Participate in staff recruitment, interview, hiring, work assignments, and orientation and performance supervision according to work rules, regulations, and policies and collective bargaining agreements.
  • Create and review monthly, annual, and ad-hoc reports for team productivity.
  • Assist Adult Social Work Supervisors and Adult Social Work Team Leads with development and implementation of staff orientation and training.
  • Oversees Patient Medication Assistance Program (PMAP) and Healthcare Benefits Assistance Program (HCBAP).
  • Act as liaison between Social Security Administration, Disability Determination Services and Department of Human Services.
  • Provide updates and education to staff regarding medical assistance application changes (i.e., Medicaid, HCBS Waivers, Supplemental Security Income, etc.)
  • Reviews proposed/implemented program and rule changes and identifies and reports implications for hospital and patients.
  • Develop and maintain policies and procedures, workflows, and documentation standards for the Adult Social Work Team.
  • Regularly participate in collaborative consultation with various interdisciplinary teams and clinical leaders to address various systemic challenges on the inpatient units and in the outpatient clinics.
  • Develop and administer the team budget in conjunction with the Director of Care Coordination - Adult.
  • Initiate and maintain positive relationships with community mental health providers, law enforcement, other human services agencies, and community resources (e.g., landlords, employers).
  • Assist Social Work Practice Leader with educating Adult Care Coordination team and hospital staff on changes in relation to Social Work services.
  • Represents the interests of the University and Adult Care Coordination leadership in the use of resources to meet service and productivity demands within unit goals and budgets, strives to promote continual process and quality improvement.
  • Address customer service issues. Implement strategic action plans. Assure quality in services and program delivery.
  • Provide direction, assignments, feedback, coaching and counseling to assure outcomes are achieved.
  • Represents Adult Care Coordination Social Work to Hospital Administration and take part in consultations, program reviews and strategic planning.
  • Serves as a resource to physicians, nurses, peers and Adult Care Coordination staff in managing complex cases and resolving issues.
  • Ensure compliance and understanding of CMS guidelines, HIPAA, case management and regulatory guidelines.

Percent of Time: 100%
Schedule: 8-hour shifts, typically between 7:30am - 4:30pm.
Pay Grade: Professional and Scientific Job Classifications by Pay Level | University Human Resources - The University of Iowa (uiowa.edu)
Benefits Highlights:
  • Regular salaried position located in Iowa City, Iowa
  • Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans
  • For more information about Why Iowa?, click here

Required Qualifications
  • Master's Degree in Social Work or a related field is required.
  • License to practice social work in Iowa.
  • Minimum 6-8 years Social Work experience, which includes both inpatient and outpatient behavioral health care settings.
  • Experience working in an academic healthcare management role.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.
  • Strong organizational skills including the ability to manage multiple projects and adhere to deadlines.
  • Demonstrated experience collaborating as part of multi-disciplinary care teams, including ability to effect change and resolve recalcitrant problems.
  • Professional job-related experience fostering or promoting a welcoming and respectful work/academic environment where people of all backgrounds and perspectives feel welcomed and appreciated; or demonstrated the ability to do so.

Desired Qualifications
  • Specialized certification for social workers related to the role, such as Certification by the Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW), or other certifications pertinent to role.
  • Experience in Department of Human Services income maintenance or Social Security programs is desirable.
  • Care coordination experience or case management skills.

Application Process: In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload the following documents and mark them as a "Relevant File" to the submission:
• Resume
• Cover Letter
Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended.
Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.
For additional questions, please contact Maggie Kusiak at CCD-HR@uiowa.edu


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