Social Worker - Home and Community Based Services

St.-Louis-County,-Mn; Duluth (MN); On-site; USD 40,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Louis County seeks a dedicated Social Worker for Home and Community Based Services to assist children birth to 15 years with disabilities in accessing social, medical, educational, and other supports.

The HCBS role emphasizes collaboration with families and multiple county divisions to coordinate services and minimize disability impact. The position offers hourly pay ranges of $28.81–$43.40, with MSW at $31.35–$47.58 per hour, and is represented under AFSCME.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology or closely related field.
• Master's degree in Social Work or closely related field with specialization in marriage, family, child or victim/offender counseling.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Provide social work services on cases involving complex social problems and social treatment plans.
• Direct service programs or provide work direction to paraprofessional staff under supervision.
• Collaborate with other divisions and families to identify needs and coordinate supports.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Social Work

Master’s degree in Social Work with specialization (39 quarter credits or 30 semester credits) in marriage, family, child or victim/offender counseling

Job description

St. Louis County is hiring a dedicated and compassionate Social Worker for our Home and Community Based Services team. This is a specialized position supporting children birth to 15 years old with disabilities in accessing services/supports related to their needs. A Home and Community Based Waiver Services (HCBS) Social Worker aids in gaining access to needed social, medical, educational, and other supports/services. The Social Worker works collaboratively with the child and the parent/guardian to identify their unique needs and to minimize the impact of the disability on their life, while ensuring continuity of services and supports. A child’s disability condition may include intellectual disabilities and related conditions, chronic illness, medical fragility and others. HCBS Social Workers often work collaboratively with other divisions such as Children and Family Services, Economic Services and Supports, Public Health and Behavioral Health.

The salary range reflected above is the normal hiring range for 2026. Below is the full salary range including longevity.

Social Worker $28.81 - $43.40 per hour.

Social Worker (MSW) $31.35 - $47.58 per hour.

This position is part of the Merit Basic Unit Employees Collective Bargaining Agreement Contract represented by Council 5 of AFSCME.

St. Louis County does not participate in E-Verify. All employees must be continuously authorized to work in the United States, for St. Louis County, on a full-time basis. St. Louis County does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.

An employee in this class is responsible for providing social work services on cases involving complex social problems and social treatment plans. Duties include performing responsible and difficult casework, directing service programs or providing work direction to paraprofessional staff. The work is performed under the direction of assigned supervisory staff.

These work environment factors are general in nature and may vary depending on the specific position being filled. CONSTANT: Near and midrange vision; Grasp/handle; Works with others; works around others; Inside. FREQUENT: Lift-push/pull while stationary up to 20 pounds; Carry-push/pull while moving about up to 20 pounds; Hearing close proximity (0-5 feet); Maintain posture; Reach; Sit; Static neck position; Talk/speak; Customer/public contact; Clients with Behavioral Challenges. OCCASIONAL: Hearing distance up to 20 feet; Balance; Move about; Stand; Taste/Smell; Walk; Works alone; Extended day; Outside and Drive. RARE: Carry-push/pull while moving about up to 50 pounds; Climb stairs; Kneel.

SOCIAL WORKER MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Pass/Fail):

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology or closely related field; OR graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in any field AND one (1) year of full-time paid verifiable experience as a social worker in a public or private social services agency.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license.

SOCIAL WORKER (MSW) MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Pass/Fail):

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s degree in Social Work; OR graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s degree in Counseling, Clinical Psychology or a closely related field with a specialization (39 quarter credits or 30 semester credits) in marriage, family, child or victim/offender counseling or a closely related specialization.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license.

RATING SYSTEM:

• Points will be awarded based on the applicants answers to supplemental questions 9-13.
• Experience beyond ten years may be included on the application for purposes of meeting minimum qualifications or informing the hiring authority of your complete employment history.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT & SCREENING PROCESS SCHEDULE:

• August 12, 2026 - Applicant screening will begin
• Week of August 24, 2026 - Supplemental question scoring to be completed
• Week of September 14, 2026 - Interviews to be conducted

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The essential functions for this position are listed under the "ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK" on the specification, available in the Human Resources Department or online at www.stlouiscountymn.gov/jobdescriptions.

VETERANS PREFERENCE:

If you are eligible to apply for Veterans Preference, please attach to your application a copy of document(s) listed for the option that applies to you:

• Veteran:DD214 noting character of service.
• Disabled Veteran:DD214& compensable disability award letter issued within the last 6 months.
• Spouse of Disabled Veteran:DD214& compensable disability award letter issued within the last 6 months & marriage certificate. (Eligible only if Veteran is unable to qualify because of the disability.)
• Spouse of Deceased Veteran: DD214, Marriage Certificate and Death Certificate.

Please refer to Minnesota Statute 197.455 for additional requirements. Click Here.

PHYSICAL-MEDICAL STANDARDS:

Qualified applicants must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Applicants selected must meet the physical requirements for the position.

DRUG TESTING:

Applicants selected for appointment must take and pass a drug test.

BACKGROUND CHECK:

Applicants selected for appointment to a position with St. Louis County are subject to a background investigation.

EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION:

All new employees must submit documentation verifying identity and employment eligibility within three days of their first day of employment.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD:

Appointees to the position must successfully complete a twelve-month probationary period prior to being certified for permanent employment.

NON-DISCRIMINATION:

St. Louis County is an equal opportunity and veteran-friendly employer.