Job Description

Posting number: 2026-00614

Department: Department of Health and Human Services

Division: HHS 60 Child Welfare Services

Job classification: Social Worker III

Posting type: Internal/External Applicants

Categories: Social Services, Community and Social Services

Summary

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Please note: The salary range above represents this position’s earning potential. The anticipated hiring range for this position will be $80,070 to $126,430, based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.

WHO WE ARE

Montgomery County is located adjacent to Washington, D.C., and with over one million residents, is the most populous County in the State of Maryland. The County is also the most diverse County in the State and ranks among the top ten most diverse Counties in the nation. Montgomery County contains many major U.S. government offices, scientific research and learning centers, and business campuses.

The Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for delivery of the County’s public health and human services that meet the needs of our community’s most vulnerable children, adults and seniors. The Department provides services through more than 120 programs at more than 20 locations. With over 2,000 employees, the Department of Health and Human Services is the largest County Department.

As a department, we believe health and wellness of the county can only be achieved by ensuring that every resident has fair opportunities to reach their fullest potential. This means access to quality housing, transportation, education, employment, health care, human services, safe neighborhoods, and healthy food. HHS provides critical services for residents who face a variety of obstacles in achieving their full potential. HHS plays an essential role in building a healthy and strong community.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

If you are interested in working for the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Social Worker III positions within Child Welfare Services.

Examples of duties

CWS provides a variety of supportive services to children and families to reduce the risk of child maltreatment and ensure safety for children. When it is not possible for children to remain in their own homes, temporary placement in foster care, with relatives or with an adoptive family may be arranged.

Social Worker IIIs provide clinical and case management services including child safety assessments, service planning, case coordination, and direct support to children and families involved with child welfare.

The following units within CWS provide these services:

• ASSESSMENT UNIT: investigates and assesses reports of alleged child abuse and neglect.
• OUT OF HOME PLACEMENT SERVICES: provides case management and permanency planning for children who have been placed in foster care or kinship/relative placement.

Bilingual applicants in the Spanish/English languages are encouraged to apply. If the candidate selected for this position possesses multilingual skills, they will be required to successfully pass an examination assessing oral communication, reading comprehension, and interpreting skills. For Advanced proficiency, the candidate must also pass an examination requiring translating text from Spanish to English and vice versa.

Work Schedule: Although the normal hours for CWS are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., staff providing direct services to children and families may need to work earlier or later to respond to case needs such as home visits, emergency removals, extended court hearings, or other time-sensitive situations.

Driver's License: This position REQUIRES a valid driver’s license and the ability to drive a County vehicle to conduct home, school, and community visits. The role also requires the ability to lift and carry children, equipment, and supplies and to safely navigate stairs and various home environments during fieldwork.

Selected candidates for this position will be subject to a pre-employment medical exam, drug screening, and criminal history records check through the Maryland State Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. Candidates will also be checked through the Maryland Registry for Child Abuse and Neglect and federal and state sex offender registries. Any applicant who fails the medical exam, background check, or whose name appears on either of the registries may be disqualified from employment for this position.

Qualifications

Education: Possession of a master’s degree in social work (MSW) from an accredited college or university that meets the criteria of a graduate social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Experience: Two (2) years, to include a minimum of 3,000 hours, of professional experience rendering social work services under the supervision of a LCSW-C in accordance with Maryland Board Requirements.

Equivalency: See Maryland Board requirements.

License:

• Must be licensed as a Licensed Certified Social Worker - Clinical (LCSW-C) by the Maryland State Board of Social Work Examiners. (Note: There will be no substitutions for this requirement.)
• Possession and maintenance at all times of a valid driver's license from the applicant's state of residence.

Medical Protocol: This position requires successful completion of a pre-employment medical evaluation, which includes a physical examination and drug screening.

Supplemental information

Preference for interviews will be given to applicants with experience in the following areas. Please be sure to include all relevant experience in these areas on your resume.

• Experience providing social work services to children and families and managing child welfare, foster care, or protective services cases
• Experience completing safety assessments, risk assessments, or family evaluations
• Experience preparing court documentation or participating in court proceedings
• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish