SOCIAL WORKER I, FAMILY SERVICES ***

State of Maryland - Department of Human Services • Full-time • Baltimore, Maryland, United States • $74.29k / year • 1w ago

Introduction

When you join the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS), you join a team of more than 5,000 employees across the state dedicated to positively changing the lives of more than 1 million Marylanders each year. We do this by providing economic support, preventive services, and caring for children and adults.

We aim to deliver services so that we more quickly meet the needs of the people we serve. At DHS, we grapple with hard questions to find new ways to foster a culture of bold innovation. We do this to ensure that in Maryland, we leave no one behind.

This is a statewide recruitment for the Department of Human Services. The posting is open and continuous; we accept applications for this classification year round. The resulting eligible lists will be used to fill current and future vacancies for this classification within DHS and its offices, located in each of Maryland's counties and in Baltimore City. Applicants should indicate on their applications all counties (or Baltimore City) where they are willing to accept employment for this classification.

A master’s degree with the specific major title of “Social Work” (MSW) is the only acceptable education qualification for this classification. You must possess an MSW, or be within six months of receiving one, to meet minimum qualifications for this classification; there are no substitutions. Please clearly indicate your college education information on your application.

The State of Maryland is seeking Social Work professionals to fill full performance and intermediate positions in the state as Social Worker I, Family Services.

NOTE: If you are a current or former employee of the US Federal Government or a current employee of Maryland State Government, you may wish to apply through the Federal Hiring Initiative (FHI). Applications received through the FHI will receive priority consideration.

Federal Hiring Initiative Social Worker postings will be open for application from 10/15/2025 to 10/29/2025.
For Federal Hiring Initiative Social Worker postings, click here.

GRADE

LOCATION OF POSITION

STATEWIDE

Applicants should indicate on their applications all counties (or Baltimore City) where they are willing to accept employment for this classification. As positions become available, our Local Departments of Social Services throughout the state will consider approved candidates from the eligible list of candidates.

PLEASE NOTE...We have current vacancies at the following locations:

Baltimore City Department of Social Services: The Baltimore City Department of Social Services has current vacancies in their Extended Hours program...Extended Hours program employee schedules involve non-traditional working hours with ten hour shifts on weekdays and weekends, working four days and being off three days each week. Extended Hours program employees receive additional salary for working non-traditional schedules.

Baltimore County Department of Social Services

6401 York Road

Baltimore, MD 21212

Calvert County Department of Social Services

200 Duke Street

Prince Frederick, MD 20678

Talbot County Department of Social Services

301 Bay St., Unit #5

Easton, MD 21601

Main Purpose of Job

This is intermediate level of professional social work providing preventive or protective services to vulnerable adults, children or families. Cases involve suspected child or adult abuse or neglect, out of home placement, guardianship or emergency protective orders, adoption or adult case management. Employees in this classification do not supervise.

MINIMUM EDUCATION OR GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must meet all minimum qualifications to be considered, and to appear on the list of people eligible for hire. Please read all requirements before applying.

EDUCATION: Determined by the Maryland State Board of Social Work Examiners under the licensing requirements for Social Workers. (A master’s degree with the specific major title of “Social Work” is the only acceptable education qualification for this classification; there are no substitutions.)

EXPERIENCE: None

NOTE: These requirements are established by the Social Services Administration by authority provided in Human Services Article, Title 4, Subtitle 2, Section 204(c)(1) of the Annotated Code of Maryland.

The Department of Budget and Management, Office of Personnel Services and Benefits and the Department of Human Services Examination Services Unit do not have authority to accept substitutions or equivalents.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

1. Employees are required to be licensed as a Graduate Social Worker (on or by June 30, 2018), Master Social Worker (on or after July 1, 2018), Certified Social Worker or Certified Social Worker-Clinical by the Maryland State Board of Social Work Examiners prior to permanent appointment. Please attach/upload with your application a copy of any Maryland Social Work licensure you possess.

2. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Employees who have not already done so must complete an approved training program and pass a competency test before being granted permanent employment status.

2. Employees are required to meet mandatory standards for continuing education as determined by the Department of Human Services. Employees who fail to obtain the required continuing education credits shall be subject to disciplinary action including demotion, suspension and dismissal.

3. Employees in this classification may be required to provide the employer with a telephone number at which they can be reached.

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment.

Successful candidates will be ranked as Best-Qualified and placed on the eligible list of candidates for twelve months. This list will be used by hiring agencies to select employees as positions become available.

BENEFITS

As an employee of the State of Maryland, you will have access to outstanding benefits, including: health insurance, dental, and vision plans offered at a low cost. CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR MORE DETAILS:

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

Personal Leave- new State employees are awarded six (6) personnel days annually (prorated based on start date).

Annual Leave – ten (10) days of accumulated annual leave per year.

Sick Leave – fifteen (15) days of accumulated sick leave per year.

Parental Leave – up to sixty (60) days of paid parental leave upon the birth or adoption of a child.

Holidays – State employees also celebrate at least twelve (12) holiday per year.

Pension – State employees earn credits towards a retirement pension.

Positions may be eligible for telework.

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

Online applications are STRONGLY preferred. If the online application process is not available, please send your paper application and supplemental questionnaire (if applicable) to: Department of Human Services, Examination Services Unit, Attention: Trelia Gunter, 25 S. Charles Street, Suite 1100, Baltimore, Maryland 21201.

Or email trelia.gunter@maryland.gov: Voice 410-767-7416, toll-free: 1-800-332-6347. If you are having difficulty with your user account or have general questions about the online application system, please contact the Maryland Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division, at 410-767-4850 or Application.Help@maryland.gov.

Do not submit unsolicited documentation.

The paper application must be received by 5 PM on the closing date for the recruitment.

TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay, 1-800-925-4434.

As an equal opportunity employer Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity.

Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply.

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country and encourage them to apply.

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