How to hire a child welfare caseworker

How to hire a child welfare caseworker, step by step

Here's a step-by-step child welfare caseworker hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a child welfare caseworker job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new child welfare caseworker
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The child welfare caseworker hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a child welfare caseworker to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a child welfare caseworker that fits the bill.

   This list shows salaries for various types of child welfare caseworkers.

   Type of Child Welfare Caseworker	Description	Hourly rate
   Child Welfare Caseworker	Social workers help people solve and cope with problems in their everyday lives. One group of social workers—clinical social workers—also diagnose and treat mental, behavioral, and emotional issues.	$16-33
   Youth Advocate	Youth advocates are individuals who responsible for maintaining the human rights of youth while assisting them in developing their skills in all areas of life, such as education, health, employment, and relationships. These advocates are required to discuss youth development and involvement with various leaders in the community... Show more	$12-19
   Youth Development Professional	Youth Development Professionals are specialists in implementing and overseeing programs to help adolescents discover their abilities and interests. They are responsible for coordinating career days and field trips, organizing mentorship sessions, create youth outreach projects, and assisting community organizations in youth provision development... Show more	$9-45

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Social Work
   • Foster Care
   • Child Welfare
   • Child Safety
   • Mental Health
   • Social Services
   • Community Resources
   • Law Enforcement
   • Protective Services
   • Community Agencies
   • Child Protective
   • Casework Services
   • Crisis Intervention
   • Court Hearings

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Make outbound calls to clients to gather information and data to process Medicaid applications timely.
   • Create a referral to the fraud department if there are discrepancies on the Medicaid application submit by clients.
   • Provide bilingual support to residents and families through regular provision of caseworker activities.
   • Act as a liaison for DHS and consults with other caseworkers and community professionals.
   • Work closely with other providers and DSS staff.
   • Prepare thorough progress notes and reports for DSS and the courts.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your child welfare caseworker job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A child welfare caseworker can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, child welfare caseworkers' average salary in mississippi is 58% less than in new jersey.
   • Seniority. Entry-level child welfare caseworkers 49% less than senior-level child welfare caseworkers.
   • Certifications. A child welfare caseworker with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a child welfare caseworker's salary.

   Average child welfare caseworker salary

   $49,485yearly

   $23.79 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level child welfare caseworker salary

   $35,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 28, 2025

4. Writing a child welfare caseworker job description

   A child welfare caseworker job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a child welfare caseworker job description:

   Child welfare caseworker job description example

   Job Title: Child Protection Caseworker
   
   Sector: Child Protection
   
   Employment Category: Regular
   
   Employment Type: Full-Time
   
   Open to Expatriates: No
   
   Location: Miami, FL USA
   
   Job Description
   
   Job Overview: The Child Protection Caseworker provides services to unaccompanied minors who have entered the United States without their parents. These children are held in a government shelter before being released to a family member or family friend who will serve as the child's legal sponsor in the United States. The Caseworker conducts home studies to determine the safety and appropriateness of placement. They also conduct post-release services to connect children and youth to basic needs and other supportive services, including medical care, school enrollment, mental health care, community supports, etc. As required by the federal grant, the Caseworker also completes all necessary documentation associated with a case. In consultation with a supervisor, the Caseworker often responds to safety and protection issues including child welfare referrals, trafficking concerns, run away response, gang prevention, and more.
   
   Major Responsibilities:
   
   Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
   
   + Conduct a comprehensive assessment to provide a recommendation for the purpose of reunifying children with their potential sponsors, including conducting interviews with shelter case managers, clinicians, the minor, sponsor, and all household members. This includes completing an in-person home visit and documenting findings in a comprehensive report within 10 days of referral.
   
   + Complete home visits to meet with children and their sponsors post-release, to assess the safety of the child, flag any safety and protection concerns, and assess needs across multiple life domains.
   
   + Conduct a mental health assessment of the child and/or sponsors, using validated instruments.
   
   + Develop individualized service plans for children and sponsors and work closely with them to make progress through their individual service plans.
   
   + Provide crisis intervention when necessary, including involving Child Protective Services, law enforcement, etc.
   
   + Coordinate referrals, service planning and enrollment in various relevant areas that include placement, safety, guardianship, medical, mental health, legal/immigration, education, substance abuse, gang prevention, independent living, parenting/supervision, independent living, mentorship, and peer support. Build and manage relationships with community services providers in relevant areas.
   
   + Continually assess ongoing changes in behavior and general conditions that could impact the safety of a participant.
   
   + Use a trauma-informed approach to support the resilience and recovery of unaccompanied children who have experience trauma. Maintain a strong understanding of trauma-informed principles and approaches, protection and safeguarding, and mandatory reporting.
   
   + Maintain accurate records in electronic case files and required databases and consistently ensure the confidentiality of information relevant to cases. Submit required reports and documentation in a timely manner.
   
   + Participate in regular case management and staffing meetings.
   
   + Travel within 200 miles of the designated geographical location.
   
   + Other duties as required.
   
   Job Requirements:
   
   + Bachelor's degree in social work (BSW) or an equivalent degree in education, psychology, sociology, or other behavioral science required. Master's degree preferred
   
   + Bilingual ability in English and Spanish required
   
   + Minimum of two years of related professional experience working with children, family reunification/ preservation, kinship care, foster care, child welfare, and/or conducting home studies required, or one year of related experience with a master's degree
   
   + Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical procedures and governmental regulations
   
   + Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to write reports and business correspondence
   
   + Experience working with immigrant populations
   
   + Knowledge of local community social services
   
   + Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural environment
   
   + Demonstrated success working with vulnerable populations who have experienced trauma
   
   + Self-starter with excellent problem-solving skills combined with the ability to prioritize duties and manage time effectively
   
   + Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook), Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and other platforms
   
   + Valid driver's license, access to a personal, insured vehicle, and ability to travel independently throughout assigned service delivery area
   
   + Background check including FBI fingerprints and Child Abuse and Neglect (CA/N) checks required upon hire.
   
   Working Environment:
   
   + A combination of standard office environment, remote work, and frequent travel for home visits, partner agency meetings, etc. within the service delivery area
   
   + Frequent work during non-traditional hours such as evenings and weekends required
   
   ________________________________________________________________________________________
   
   COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement: In accordance with IRC's duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards and our commitment to safeguard the health of our employees, clients, and communities, IRC requires new hires to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be considered for any in-office or hybrid positions. All IRC US offices require full vaccination to attend any in-office functions (e.g., meetings, trainings).
   
   Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity:IRC is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of inclusivity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.
   
   Equal Opportunity Employer:We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
   
   US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $120 per month, dental starting at $7 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.
   
   #LI-GR1

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5. Post your job

   To find the right child welfare caseworker for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with child welfare caseworkers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit child welfare caseworkers who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your child welfare caseworker job on Zippia to find and recruit child welfare caseworker candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit child welfare caseworkers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new child welfare caseworker

   Once you have selected a candidate for the child welfare caseworker position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new child welfare caseworker. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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