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Social Worker Gs Jobs (NOW HIRING)

SD Department of Veterans Affairs

Social Worker

Tomah, WI · On-site

$67K/yr

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 ...

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Social Worker Gs information

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$34.5K

$76.3K

$117K

How much do social worker gs jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for social worker gs 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 social worker GS?

Social Worker GS positions refer to federal government social workers who are classified under the General Schedule (GS) pay system in the United States. These professionals provide support, counseling, and resources to individuals and families in need, often within agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Health and Human Services, or the Department of Defense. Their responsibilities can range from case management and crisis intervention to advocating for clients and developing treatment plans. The GS level (such as GS-9, GS-11, etc.) indicates the grade and pay range of the position, with higher GS levels reflecting more experience and responsibility. Social Worker GS positions require specific education and licensure depending on the agency and level of responsibility.

What are some common challenges social worker GS employees face when working within government agencies?

Social Worker GS employees often encounter challenges such as managing large caseloads, navigating complex agency protocols, and addressing the diverse needs of clients within strict policy guidelines. Balancing administrative responsibilities with direct client service can be demanding, and collaboration with interdisciplinary teams requires strong communication and organizational skills. Despite these challenges, many find the work rewarding due to the positive impact on individuals and communities, as well as opportunities for professional development and advancement within the government sector.

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

To thrive as a Social Worker (GS), you need a degree in social work (BSW or MSW), state licensure, and strong case management and assessment skills. Familiarity with case management software, documentation systems, and relevant legal frameworks is typically required. Excellent communication, empathy, and problem-solving abilities are critical soft skills for building trust and advocating for clients. These skills and qualifications are essential for effectively supporting diverse populations and navigating complex social service systems.

What is the difference between Social Worker Gs vs School Social Worker?

AspectSocial Worker GsSchool Social Worker
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Social Work (BSW/MSW), licensure often requiredBachelor's or Master's in Social Work or related field, licensure often required
Work EnvironmentCommunity agencies, hospitals, mental health clinicsPublic and private schools, educational settings
Employer & IndustryHealthcare, social services, mental health organizationsEducational institutions, school districts
Common Search & ComparisonSocial Worker Gs vs School Social Worker

Social Worker Gs and School Social Workers share similar credentials and work environments, often requiring a BSW or MSW and licensure. However, Social Worker Gs typically work in healthcare, mental health, or community agencies, while School Social Workers focus on supporting students within educational settings. Both roles aim to improve client well-being but differ mainly in their work environment and employer type.

What cities are hiring for Social Worker Gs jobs?

Cities with the most Social Worker Gs job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Social Worker Gs jobs?

For Social Worker Gs jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Social Worker Gs jobs near you
Infographic showing various Social Worker Gs job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 76% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 22% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $76,266 per year, or $36.7 per hour.

Social Worker

Harrisonburg, VA • On-site

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

$64K/yr

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

The Social Worker in this position provides direct services to adult and geriatric veterans enrolled in the Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) Program with high quality case management, clinical treatment, advocacy, and coordination of care with appropriate VA and community service providers/agencies as needed by the client.
Qualifications:Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred 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 masters 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 SW Licensure by State
    • Exception. VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons 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.
      • 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.
  • English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
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).
Grade Determinations:
Social Worker, GS-9 (Entry Level)
Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of 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 (Full Performance Level)
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. GS-9 experience includes: Working under close supervision in program areas that do not require specialized knowledge or experience. Identifying behaviors or symptoms of abuse, neglect or exploitation; providing education on advance directives and advanced care planning; providing social work case management; acting as an advocate with community service providers/agencies when it serves the best interest of the patient and family members/caregiver; assessing the psychosocial functioning and needs of patients and their family members identifying strengths, weaknesses, coping skills and psychosocial acuity, in collaboration with the patient, family, and interdisciplinary treatment teams; maintaining a current network of internal and external resources to educate the patient and/or family members/caregivers and assist with the appropriate referrals.
Education. In addition to meeting the 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.
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, cultural, ethnic, educational and other diversified 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.

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.
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health ServiceEducation: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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