SOCIAL WORKER TRAINEE

County of Los Angeles; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Los Angeles is seeking a Social Worker Trainee to assist in performing social casework under close supervision. The role focuses on identifying client needs, creating action plans, and guiding individuals toward housing, employment, and essential services.

You will engage with clients, families, and community resources while gaining hands-on training. Requirements include a bachelor’s degree and the ability to provide documentation as requested.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is required; English documentation as specified.
• Strong written and verbal communication essential.
• Ability to work under supervision in a training capacity.

Responsibilities

• Assists in performing social casework under close supervision and in a training capacity.
• Identifies and analyzes clients' needs for service; develops plans for resolving problems with clients.
• Assists clients in housing, money management, health care, citizenship, residence, employment and related issues.
• Assesses employment or training potential and helps clients overcome barriers to employment or training.
• Provides information to clients about local resources and helps them contact and utilize these resources.

Skills

Empathy

Communication

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university

Job description

When To Apply

We will be accepting online applications from Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. (PT) until Monday, October 19, 2026, 5:00 p.m. (PT). All applications must be received before 5:00 p.m. (PT) on Monday, October 19, 2026, to be accepted.

Position/Program Information

We will be accepting online applications from Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. (PT) until Monday, October 19, 2026, 5:00 p.m. (PT). All applications must be received before 5:00 p.m. (PT) on Monday, October 19, 2026, to be accepted.

EXAM NUMBER

49050O

Type Of Recruitment

We welcome applications from anyone.

WHY WORK FOR US?

With almost 10 million residents, Los Angeles County is the most populous county in the nation! As the largest employer in Southern California with over 100,000 employees in 39 departments, we provide vital and diverse public services like law enforcement, property assessment, public health protection, water conservation, and cultural activities.

The County has more than 2,100 different job types, offering a lifetime of opportunities and careers! We are dedicated professionals committed to preserving the dignity and integrity of the workplace as well as protecting the rights of each employee. Join us and discover one of the strongest public-sector benefits packages in the county with a rich selection of health care options, robust retirement plans and the flexibility to work, relax, and rejuvenate to reach your fullest personal and professional potential.

For more information about our amazing benefits, please visit us here: https://hr.lacounty.gov/benefits/

About This Position

Under close supervision and in a training capacity, assists in performing social casework.

Essential Job Functions

• As a trainee, the incumbent receives information, instruction and practical experience in the following activities:
• Identifies and analyzes clients' needs for service; sets priorities, explores alternatives with clients to develop plans for resolving problems.
• Assists clients in carrying out problem solving activities directed toward resolving housing, money management, health care, citizenship, residence, employment and other problems of a tangible nature.
• Assesses client's employment or training potential, and assists clients to overcome problems that would prevent or limit them from obtaining employment or participating in training programs.
• Evaluates the needs of aged, blind and disabled clients and helps them use In-Home Supportive Services, so they may remain safely in, or return to, their own homes and help maintain and strengthen their capabilities for self-care.
• Provides information to clients about resources within the department and in the community; assists clients in selecting appropriate resources, contacting agencies, and in utilizing these resources.
• Investigates situations involving adults reported to be endangered by abuse, neglect, exploitation or unsafe or hazardous living conditions, takes appropriate action and/or reports to appropriate agency to eliminate or reduce the possibility of endangerment.
• Initiates requests for assistance from the appropriate legal authority to gain access to the client or obtain protection for clients in violent situations.
• Acts as an advocate on behalf of the clients in situations where the clients are unable to act on their own, and when appropriate, refers clients for conservatorship.
• Assists clients and their relatives in locating alternative living arrangements such as nursing homes, intermediate care facilities or board and care homes when in-home supportive services are not appropriate.
• Takes appropriate action on referrals from public and private agencies and other jurisdictions.
• Makes home visits as needed.

Withhold Information

No withhold will be allowed. Required education must be fully met by the last day of filing and clearly indicated on the application.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree* from an accredited college or university.
• To receive credit for your education, include a legible copy of all relevant official documents, including your diploma, transcript, or letter/certificate from an accredited institution with your application. The document should show the date the degree was conferred and be in English. If not in English, then translation is required. International degrees must be evaluated for equivalency to U.S. standards if not listed in the International Handbook of Universities or World Higher Education Database. Documents marked as unofficial will not be accepted. For more information on our standards for educational documents, please visit: https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dhr/070812_PPG123.pdf.
• If you are unable to attach the documentation, please email it to [e-mail] within ten (10) calendar days from the last day of the filing period and indicate Social Worker Trainee and 49050O on the subject line. We do not accept password‑protected documents. Ensure documents are unlocked before attaching to your application or sending to the exam analyst.

License

A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job‑related essential functions.

Physical Class

2 – Light: This class includes administrative and clerical positions requiring light physical effort that may include occasional light lifting to a 10‑pound limit and some bending, stooping, or squatting. Considerable ambulation may be involved.

Examination Content

• Written Expression
• Reading Comprehension
• Data Analysis and Decision Making
• Learning Potential
• Responsibility
• Customer Focus

Applicants must meet the requirements and achieve a passing score of 70% to be placed on the Eligible list.

MULTIPLE-CHOICE TEST AND/OR SIMULATION ASSESSMENTS ARE NOT REVIEWABLE BY CANDIDATES PER CIVIL SERVICE RULE 7.19.

Transfer Of Test Components

If you have taken identical components recently for other exams, your responses may be automatically transferred to this examination. This exam contains test components that might be used on future exams, and your responses could be transferred to that exam.

Test Preparation

We provide study guides and other test preparation resources to help candidates prepare for employment tests. While the guides may help in preparing for the test, we recommend reviewing all related materials that seem necessary.

• Various information can be found on our website at https://hr.lacounty.gov/job-search-toolkit/. The section dedicated to test preparation is "Employment Test Assistance."
• Online practice tests are available at https://www.shldirect.com/en-us/practice-tests. You can also visit our Los Angeles County Online Assessment Preparation Series webpage at https://lacounty.attract.neogov.com/la-county-online-assessments-prep-series for information about common online assessment types, sample questions, and test‑taking tips.

Eligibility And Vacancy Information

Applicants who passed the assessment(s) are placed on a list for a period of 12 months. We will use this list to fill vacancies in the Department of Public Social Services as they occur.

Selective Certification List

From those who pass the assessment, we may establish a secondary list targeting additional qualifications we are seeking for specialized positions. Selective certification lists may be prepared for the following language specialties: AMESLAN, Arabic, Armenian, Cambodian, Cantonese, Farsi, Korean, Lao, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. The Department may also prepare selective certification lists by service areas. Candidates who wish to have their names placed on a selective language certification list must indicate their foreign language on the application and pass a qualifying language proficiency test on their ability to speak, read, and write English and the specialty language.

PASSING THIS EXAMINATION AND BEING PLACED ON THE ELIGIBLE LIST DOES NOT GUARANTEE AN OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT.

Social Security Number

Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number, so include yours when applying.

Employment Eligibility

Final appointment is contingent upon verification of U.S. citizenship or the right to work in the United States.

Equal Employment Opportunity/Non-Discrimination Statement

The County of Los Angeles is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and is committed to non‑discrimination in the County workforce, regardless of age (40 and over); ancestry; color; ethnicity; religious creed; protected family or medical leave status; disability; marital status; medical condition; genetic information; military and veteran status; national origin; race ; sex; gender; sexual orientation; or any other characteristic protected by State or federal law. For more information, please visit: https://employee.hr.lacounty.gov/eeo-programs/

Veteran’s Credit

Pursuant to the County Charter and County policy, in all open competitive examinations (i.e., examinations open to everyone), the County of Los Angeles will add a credit of 10 percent of the total credits specified for such examination to the final passing score of an honorably discharged veteran, as well as the spouse of a deceased or disabled veteran, who served in the Armed Forces of the United States under specific conditions.

For more information on veteran’s credit, please visit: https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dhr/205102_PPG_115.pdf

Career PathFinder

Resources to help current and prospective employees plan a career with Los Angeles County are available. To explore career paths to and from nearly all job titles, please visit our interactive Career PathFinder application at http://career-pathfinder.hr.lacounty.gov.