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Social Work Trainee Jobs in Hawaii (NOW HIRING)

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Social Work Trainee information

See Hawaii salary details

$21.3K

$45.9K

$75.3K

How much do social work trainee jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for social work trainee in Hawaii is $45,881.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $28,600.00 and $58,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a social work trainee?

Social Work Trainees are individuals who are undergoing practical training and supervision to become professional social workers. They typically work in various settings such as schools, hospitals, or community agencies, assisting clients with a range of social, emotional, and practical issues. Trainees apply theoretical knowledge from their academic studies while gaining hands-on experience, often under the guidance of licensed social workers. Their responsibilities may include conducting assessments, helping clients access resources, and developing intervention plans as part of their learning process.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a social work trainee?

To thrive as a Social Work Trainee, you need foundational knowledge of social work principles, a relevant degree or coursework, and a commitment to ethical practice. Familiarity with case management systems, documentation protocols, and basic counseling tools is typically required. Strong interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, and emotional resilience help trainees build trust and effectively support clients facing diverse challenges. These competencies ensure that trainees can deliver empathetic, effective services while learning and adapting within supervised professional environments.

What support and supervision does a social work trainee receive?

As a Social Work Trainee, you can typically expect to receive structured supervision from experienced social workers, often through regular one-on-one meetings and team debriefings. Many organizations also offer mentorship programs, training workshops, and opportunities for shadowing experienced professionals. This supportive environment is designed to help trainees develop key skills, reflect on challenging cases, and gradually take on more responsibility as they gain confidence. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams is common, ensuring you learn from a variety of perspectives while building your professional network.

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

AspectSocial Work TraineeSocial Worker
CredentialsOften pursuing or have completed relevant education, may lack full licensureLicensed or certified professional with full credentials
Work EnvironmentSupervised training settings, internships, entry-level rolesIndependent practice, case management, community services
Employer & IndustryEducational institutions, training programs, social service agenciesHospitals, government agencies, non-profits

In summary, a Social Work Trainee is typically in training or early in their career, gaining experience under supervision, whereas a Social Worker is a fully qualified professional providing independent services. The trainee role focuses on learning and skill development, while the social worker role involves direct client support and case management.

How to get into social work with no experience?

To become a social work trainee with no experience, consider volunteering or interning in social service settings to gain relevant skills and understanding. Pursuing a relevant qualification, such as a diploma or degree in social work or a related field, can also improve your chances. Additionally, developing strong communication and empathy skills is essential for entry-level roles in social work.

What can I do to get started to be a social work trainee?

To become a social work trainee, you typically need at least a high school diploma or equivalent, and pursuing a bachelor's degree in social work or a related field is often required. Gaining relevant experience through volunteering or internships and obtaining any necessary state licensure or certification can also help you get started in this role.

What are the most commonly searched types of Social Work jobs in Hawaii?

The most popular types of Social Work jobs in Hawaii are:

What cities in Hawaii are hiring for Social Work Trainee jobs?

Cities in Hawaii with the most Social Work Trainee job openings:

Infographic showing various Social Work Trainee job openings in Hawaii as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,881 per year, or $22.1 per hour.

Social Worker IV (Public Guardian) - Kauai

Hawai`i State Judiciary

Honolulu, HI โ€ข On-site

$31.89/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 11 days ago


Job description

Position Specific Description Recruitment Number 26-103LJ, Social Worker IV (Public Guardian), SR-22, Kauai. Note: This position is a permanent, part-time (20 hours per week) position. This position requires a current and valid driver's license to operate a motor vehicle.

Summary of Duties This position provides guardianship and case management services for incapacitated adults under the supervision of the Office of the Public Guardian. Responsibilities include conducting interviews and assessments to determine client needs; monitoring the health, safety, and welfare of wards; making decisions regarding care and services; developing and monitoring treatment plans; and coordinating with case managers, service providers, and community agencies to ensure appropriate support and resources are provided. The position attends and testifies in court proceedings, prepares and submits guardianship reports, provides information, consultation, and referrals regarding guardianship matters, and assists in maintaining collaborative relationships with courts, attorneys, service providers, and community organizations.

Additional duties include supervising social work interns and volunteers, conducting training and educational outreach on guardianship issues, and maintaining accurate case documentation and records. Assigned cases are primarily located on Kauai but may include responsibilities on neighboring islands as needed. Minimum Qualification Requirements Education Requirement: Graduation from an accredited four (4) year college or university with a bachelor's degree which included a minimum of twelve (12) semester credit hours in courses such as social work, social welfare, criminal justice, human services, counseling, psychology, sociology, or other related social sciences.

Excess work experience as described under Specialized Experience below, or any other responsible administrative, professional or analytical work experience which provided knowledge and abilities comparable to those acquired in four (4) years of successful study while completing a college or university curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree may be substituted on a year-for-year basis. To be acceptable, the experience must have been of such scope, level and quality as to assure the possession of comparable knowledge and abilities. The education or experience background must also demonstrate the ability to write clear and comprehensive reports and other documents; read and interpret complex written material; and solve complex problems logically and systematically.

Specialized Experience: Two and one-half (2-1/2) years of progressively responsible professional social work experience which involved utilizing a variety of social work skills and exercising professional judgement in the process of assisting individuals and their families with identifying their problems, evaluating the situation realistically, and considering resources and alternative courses of action pertinent to their needs and circumstances. The work typically involves conducting assessments; developing and implementing a plan of treatment programs and services; working cooperatively with other professionals, community agencies or institutions, in an interdisciplinary team; and evaluating the client's progress and adjusting plans as appropriate. Non-Qualifying Experience: Experience which did not provide the necessary professional social work concepts and theories and the background and knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques of professional social work will not be considered as qualifying experience.

Examples of non-qualifying experience include, but are not limited to: (1) Experience providing supportive services to professional social workers, vocational rehabilitation specialists, housing managers, or other professional workers in such programs as public welfare, family court, etc. (2) Experience determining the eligibility of applicants/recipients for benefits under a public welfare program such as medical assistance, food stamps and other benefits. (3) Experience providing vocational, educational, psychological, or pastoral counseling.

(4) Experience providing occupational or physical therapeutic services. (5) Peace Corps or VISTA work experience which did not require the application of professional knowledge of the principles and practices of social work and/or was not performed under competent professional supervision. (6) Experience relocating clients who are displaced as a result of urban renewal or other similar reasons.

(7) Trainee level type social work experience will not be considered qualifying unless work is performed under competent professional social work supervision. Substitution Allowed: 1. A bachelor's degree in Social Work or Criminal Justice Administration from an accredited four (4) year college or university qualifies for Social Worker II or six (6) months of experience.

2. A master's degree in Social Work or Criminal Justice Administration from an accredited college or university qualifies for Social Worker III or one and one-half (1-1/2) years of experience. 3.

A Ph.D. degree in Social Work or Criminal Justice Administration from an accredited college or university qualifies for Social Worker IV or two and one-half (2-1/2) years of experience. Selective Certification Requirement - Driver's License: This position requires a current and valid driver's license to operate a motor vehicle

Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Requirement (28 CFR 115.17, 115.117, 115.217 and 115.317): For this position, applicants may have contact with detainees in juvenile facilities and lockups, with inmates detained in a prison or jail, or with residents of community confinement facilities. In accordance with the Federal PREA Law, the Hawaii State Judiciary shall not hire or promote anyone who may have contact with detainees in juvenile facilities and lockups, with inmates detained in a prison or jail, or with residents of community confinement facilities who: a. Has engaged in sexual abuse in a prison, jail, lockup, community confinement facility, juvenile facility or other institution; b

Has been convicted of engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force, or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse; c. Has been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in the activity described in b above; or d. Has been the subject of substantiated allegations of sexual abuse or sexual harassment, or resigned during a pending investigation of alleged sexual abuse or sexual harassment.

Supplemental Information Any additional information may be attached to your online application, submitted by email to Recruitment@courts.hawaii.gov, or mailed to the following address: Hawaii State Judiciary, Human Resources Department, 426 Queen Street, First Floor, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813. Education: If you are using education as a substitution for experience, you must submit a copy of your transcript(s) or diploma(s) at the time of application. If you are selected for a position, we will request an official transcript (not a copy) at a later date

The official transcript must indicate completion of the training and/or the awarding of the appropriate degree. CLICK HERE for other important information about the Merit or Civil Service System, Citizenship and Residency requirements, Accommodations, Veterans Preference, Examination process, Administrative Review, and more.