Social Worker Licensed 3 (Therapeutic Support Specialist)

Human Services, Department of; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Georgia's Department of Human Services seeks a Social Worker Licensed 3 (Therapeutic Support Specialist) to coordinate care for high-needs foster youths and ensure access to therapeutic services.

The role emphasizes assessment, placement coordination, and collaboration with public/private partners to support youth stability and successful transitions within Georgia's state systems.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in social work and counseling from an accredited college or university.
• Current professional clinical licensure in Georgia (e.g., LCSW, LMSW, LPC, or LAPC).
• Two years of experience at the lower level Social Worker, Licensed 2 (HCP051) or equivalent, or two years of related post-license experience.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate placement and treatment services for foster care and per diem rate reviews.
• Provide placement guidance and systems navigation to align with youth’s clinical needs.
• Engage stakeholders to coordinate services and address barriers to care.
• Coordinate training and consultation related to mental health and related services.
• Monitor placements, hospitalizations, and discharge planning across settings.

Skills

Licensure in Georgia (LCSW/LMSW/LPC/LL

Education

Master's degree in social work and counseling

Job description

Explore a World of Opportunity with the State of Georgia! We are the force that drives Georgia! Georgia State Government is a large enterprise, composed of various agencies and entities with a common goal to improve the lives of Georgia's more than 10 million citizens! Join Team Georgia and impact lives everyday while receiving a robust benefits package designed for every stage of your career! Job Title: Social Worker Licensed 3 (Therapeutic Support Specialist) Agency: Department of Human Services Job Requisition ID: JR0000006992 Shift: Day (United States of America) Compensation Details: $44,998.81 - $59,143.36

Job Description: Stronger Families for a Stronger Georgia. The Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) is a dynamic state agency responsible for delivering a wide range of services to Georgia's most vulnerable populations. Our mission is to strengthen Georgia by providing individuals and families access to services that promote self-sufficiency, independence, and protect Georgia's vulnerable children and adults. Start your career in public service.

Therapeutic Support Specialists in the Care Coordinator Treatment Unit (CCTU) is a state-level function that manages and supports complex, high-needs foster-care placements. Its primary role is to help ensure youth receive appropriate therapeutic services, stable placements, and coordinated care that supports movement toward less restrictive community-based settings.

The CCTU Therapeutic Support Specialist Licensed professionals with the ability to engage with the field in intensive practice guidance and consultation on cases that require a meticulous level of insight to navigate the complexities within our state systems, policies, and regulations.

Responsible for immediate and on-going assessment of medical necessity, treatment, and discharge planning of inpatient admissions to psychiatric residential treatment facilities, crisis stabilization units, and other acute inpatient behavioral or physical health facilities.

Role and Responsibilities

• Coordinate placement and treatment services, including RBWO program designations, per diem rate reviews and assignments, specialized foster care rates, and specialty waivers and approvals.
• Provide placement guidance, stabilization support, community-based service consultation, and systems navigation to ensure services align with each youth’s clinical and therapeutic needs.
• Engage public and private stakeholders, state partners—including DCH, DPH, DBHDD, and DFCS—and Amerigroup Managed Care to coordinate services and address barriers to care.
• Coordinate training, technical assistance, and consultation related to mental health, developmental disabilities, severe medical fragility, substance abuse, and available services.
• Monitor treatment placements, hospitalizations, admissions, and discharges across PRTF, CSU, acute inpatient, and physical health hospital settings, including out-of-state treatment, placement disruption, and prevention cases.
• Support transition and discharge planning for youth stepping down from CSU and PRTF settings to promote continuity of care and placement stability.

Preferred Qualifications

Preference will be given to candidates who, in addition to meeting the minimum qualifications, demonstrate some or all of the following skills/experience:

• Current professional clinical licensure through the Georgia Composite Board, such as Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), or Licensed Associate Professional Counselor (LAPC).
• Ability and willingness to work flexible, non-traditional hours as needed to meet program, staff, stakeholder, and youth-service needs.

Additional Information

For more detailed information about the Georgia Department Human Services https://dhs.georgia.gov/ Employment Information

Current State employees are subject to State Personnel Board (SPB) Rules regarding salary.

DHS is an Equal Opportunity Employer If you require accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), email request by the closing date of this announcement to: @HRHelpline The candidate selected for this position may be subject to pre-employment drug screening, education verification, reference, motor vehicle records, and criminal background checks. DHS accepts educational credential recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and/or the US Department of Education (DOE) will be considered. DHS will contact educational institutions to verify degree, diploma, licensure, etc. As an employee of DHS, in the event of an identified emergency you may be required, as a term and condition of employment, to assist in meeting the emergency responsibilities of the department.

Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or e-mail. All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. Selected applicants will be contacted by the hiring official for next steps in the selection process. Only applicants who are selected and interviewed will receive notification. This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.

Minimum Qualifications: Master's degree in social work and counseling from an accredited college or university and licensure in the area of assignment and two (2) years of experience at the lower level Social Worker, Licensed 2 (HCP051) or position equivalent; or Master's degree in social work and counseling from an accredited college or university and licensure in the area of assignment and two (2) years of related post-license experience.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer The State of Georgia does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or other protected categories in employment or the provision of services. Qualified applicants may request reasonable accommodation when needed during the application and/or screening process by contacting the appropriate agency Human Resources department. Georgia State Government is a large enterprise, composed of various entities with a common goal to improve the lives of Georgia's 10 million citizens. With nearly 62,000 employees, we are one of the single largest employer in the state. Public service opportunities stretch across the state as employees live and work in all 159 counties. From traditional fields such as accounting, nursing, and engineering to unique fields like forestry and natural resources management, Georgia state government provides a world of opportunity.