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Social Worker Trainee Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

Tamus

Mental Health Clinician

College Station, TX · On-site

$70K/yr

... Social Workers, or Marriage and Family Therapists. * LPCs: A minimum of 3,000 post-licensure ... Experience supervising clinical trainees or licensed associate clinicians. * Ability to provide ...

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Social Worker Trainee information

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$34K

$73.5K

$118.8K

How much do social worker trainee jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for social worker trainee in Texas is $73,498.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $55,900.00 and $87,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a social worker trainee?

Social Worker Trainees are individuals who are in the process of learning the skills and gaining the experience necessary to become professional social workers. They typically work under the supervision of licensed social workers, supporting clients and assisting with assessments, case management, and community outreach. Trainees may be recent graduates or students completing required fieldwork as part of a social work degree program. Their role is to develop practical skills while adhering to ethical standards and learning about different populations and service settings.

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

To thrive as a Social Worker Trainee, you need foundational knowledge in social work principles, assessment techniques, and case management, often gained through a bachelor's degree or enrollment in a social work program. Familiarity with client documentation systems, basic counseling tools, and mandated reporting protocols is typically required. Strong interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, and emotional resilience help trainees build trust and effectively support diverse clients. These skills and qualities are essential for delivering ethical, effective interventions and managing the complex needs of individuals and communities.

What types of supervision and mentorship can a social worker trainee expect during their training period?

As a Social Worker Trainee, you will typically work under the close supervision of a licensed social worker or clinical supervisor. Regular one-on-one meetings, case discussions, and feedback sessions are common, giving you opportunities to learn best practices and reflect on your experiences. Many organizations also provide structured mentorship programs or peer support groups to help trainees navigate challenges and develop their skills. This collaborative environment is designed to ensure you gain the practical experience and confidence needed to progress toward licensure and advance your career.

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

AspectSocial Worker TraineeSocial Worker
CredentialsTypically in training, may have a bachelor's degree or be pursuing a master'sLicensed or certified with required degrees and licensure
Work EnvironmentInternship or supervised training settingsFull professional roles in clinics, agencies, or community organizations
Job ResponsibilitiesAssisting with casework under supervisionManaging cases independently, providing counseling and support

The main difference is that a Social Worker Trainee is in training or supervised learning phase, while a Social Worker is a fully qualified professional with licensure. Trainees gain experience and skills, preparing for independent practice, whereas licensed social workers perform full responsibilities in their roles.

How to get into social worker trainee with no experience?

To become a social worker trainee with no experience, focus on obtaining a relevant degree such as social work or psychology, and consider volunteering or internships to build practical skills. Many programs accept candidates with limited experience if they demonstrate strong communication, empathy, and a commitment to helping others, and some may require or prefer certification or coursework in social services.

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

To become a social worker trainee, you typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, followed by pursuing a relevant bachelor's degree such as social work, psychology, or sociology. Gaining experience through internships or volunteer work and obtaining any required state licensure or certification can also help you start in this field.

What are the most commonly searched types of Social Worker jobs in Texas?

The most popular types of Social Worker jobs in Texas are:

What cities in Texas are hiring for Social Worker Trainee jobs?

Cities in Texas with the most Social Worker Trainee job openings:

Social Worker Trainee jobs near you
Infographic showing various Social Worker Trainee job openings in Texas as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 76% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 22% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $73,498 per year, or $35.3 per hour.

Social Worker (PACT)

SD Department of Veterans Affairs

Dallas, TX • On-site

$86K/yr

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago

Job description

The primary purpose of the PACT Social Worker is: to provide care coordination and psychosocial services to Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Veterans. The incumbent independently works with patients and families who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical, and social problems utilizing social work clinical skills within the bounds of his /her privileges.
Organization/Department: VA North Texas Health Care System/Social Work ServiceQualifications:Health Profession Trainees (HPT's) 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 http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/.
    • (1) 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.
  • 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).Grandfathering Provision. The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all title38 hybrid qualification standards.
  1. All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure or certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all of the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:
  2. Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure or certification, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
  3. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
  4. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all of the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.
  5. If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.
Grade Determinations:
Social Worker, GS-9;
Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements.
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:
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. OR,
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.
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:
  • Medical Inpatient and Outpatient Social Work Experience.
  • 2 years of experience providing case management services.
  • Experience coordinating community based services including information, education and referrals.
  • Experience working with an interdisciplinary team.
  • Experience addressing psychosocial issues of aging, illness, disability, coping, and grief.

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: Light lifting, under 15 pounds; Straight pulling, 1 hour; Pushing, 2 hours; Reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, Walking and Standing, 3 hours; Repeated bending, 1 hour; Climbing, use of legs and arms, Operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle; Rapid mental and muscular coordination. Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Both eyes required; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid permitted); Frequent computer keyboarding.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/.
NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.
NOTE: If your school was accredited at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.Employment Type: OTHER

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