Job Description

DCFS Caseworker I/Social Service Worker, Salt Lake County

FT / PT Status – Full-Time

Benefits Eligibility – This position is eligible for a full benefits package.

Salary – $23.60 - $26.21 Hourly Wage

Remote Work / In-Office – Hybrid

Recruiter – Tamra Alfaro | talfaro@utah.gov | 801-538-4221

Application Deadline – 9/20/2026*

*This job posting may close at any time after the minimum advertising period of three (3) business days has passed, should a sufficient applicant pool be received. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Are you looking for a career where you can make a difference?

Becoming a Caseworker I or Social Service Worker at the Utah Division of Child & Family Services (DCFS) can be a life changing event! If you have a social work background and a passion to work with children and families, Child & Family Services is the place for you. Together we can make a difference through service!

This recruitment will be used to fill Caseworker I/Social Service Worker positions in Salt Lake County.

Click here to see a Caseworker at Work

These positions will be filled as a Caseworker I or Social Service Worker depending upon the qualifications of the applicant.

These positions may be eligible to work a hybrid schedule of both in-office and telework days. A position’s eligibility for hybrid work is established by agency management and is subject to change at their discretion at any time and for any reason.

The State of Utah requires all employees to physically work inside the State of Utah Boundaries.

Key Responsibilities

DCFS Caseworkers and Social Service Workers work to keep children with their own families whenever safely possible by assessing their and their families' needs, getting them connected to available resources, and conducting in-home services of appropriate intensity and duration. They work to reunify children who have been removed from their homes whenever possible or find enduring safety and permanency for them through alternative options. To accomplish this, caseworkers work closely with the subject matter experts, are provided with regular professional supervision, and complete DCFS Practice Model Training while performing the following tasks:

• Investigating reports of abuse, exploitation, and/or neglect; assessing risks, strengths, barriers; and determining appropriate actions governing a client's situation.
• Working with families to create plans for children’s safety and for ongoing services.
• Coordinating and referring services to children and families offered by community resources, placement providers, collateral agencies, the courts, and community partners.
• Supervising visits between parents and children to ensure safety.
• Conducting in-home visits to assess safety and track progress.
• Facilitating Child and Family Team Meetings with the family, their formal and informal supports.
• Testifying in court hearings regarding actions, findings, procedures, and protocols.
• Preparing detailed case documentation that includes: intake records, investigation summaries, assessments of safety, risk and family functioning risk service plans, court reports, case history, and activity logs.
• May include performing 24-hour-on-call services as needed under supervisor's direction. 24-hour on-call service assignments may be based on, and subject to, geographic employment location and/or agency demand.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Caseworker I: Pay $23.60:

• Understands human development across the lifespan, and resources in the community, and has the ability to provide support and interventions in a culturally responsive way.
• Is adept at interacting professionally with all levels of management while managing a diversified workload and challenging situations.
• Deals with people in a manner which shows sensitivity, tact, and professionalism.
• Communicates effectively, clearly, and concisely verbally and in writing.
• Has four years of full-time education OR professional work experience related to working with children, parents, and/or families, OR a combination of education and professional work experience.
• Possesses a current valid driver's license.

Qualifying professional work experience:

• Previous or current employment with the DHHS; working with residential youth or adults participating in programs related to domestic violence, abuse, or homelessness; working in a domestic violence or homeless shelter, or with any agency providing mental or behavioral health services; any public or private school in an educational or social work-related role; foster or kinship provider, contracted DHHS service provider, or other fields closely related to child welfare), or a combination of experience and education to equal four years.
• If work experience was not full-time, the equivalent must be calculated in comparison to full-time. For example, two years of half-time work would be equivalent to one year of full-time work.

Social Service Worker: Pay $26.21:

• Holds an SSW or higher or higher licensure in good standing (required by statute UCA58-60-103).
• Understands human development across the lifespan, and resources in the community, and has the ability to provide support and interventions in a culturally responsive way.
• Is adept at interacting professionally with all levels of management while managing a diversified workload and challenging situations.
• Deals with people in a manner which shows sensitivity, tact, and professionalism.
• Communicates effectively, clearly, and concisely verbally and in writing.
• Has four years of professional work experience related to working with children, parents, and/or families or a combination of education and experience to equal four years.
• Possesses a current valid driver's license.

Preference

Preference may be given to candidates who:

• Are current or previous employees of the Division of Child & Family Services (DCFS)
• Have completed an internship with DCFS
• Have four years or more years of professional work experience related to working with children, parents, and/or families, OR hold a bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, sociology, family and human development, human services, criminal justice, bachelor of science in health education and promotion, or closely related degree, OR a combination of professional work experience and education

Supplemental Information

May require 24-hour on-call services/time. 24-hour on-call services response time to be determined by the agency.

Must have a valid driver's license. Travel required; you may be required to use your personal vehicle to perform the duties of this position; approved mileage is reimbursable through State Finance.

All DCFS job offers are contingent upon passing a Background Screening Application (BSA).

Physical Requirements

• Moderate - Some of the work performed requires some physical exertion. You may be required to stand; walk over rough surfaces; bend; crouch; stoop; stretch; reach; lift moderately heavy items (up to 50 lbs.), e.g. lifting a small child in a recurring manner and/or for long periods of time.

Working Conditions

• High Risk - Risks found in potentially dangerous or unusual environmental stress situations, e.g. working at great heights, working in extreme outdoor weather conditions, being subject to possible physical attack, etc.
• Some special risks which may require the use of special safety precautions e.g., entering clients homes, maybe working around contagious diseases, i.e. parasitic infections caused by head lice, bed bugs, scabies, etc. or chemicals, i.e. illegal substances, etc.

About the Role

Location –

1385 S. State St.

Salt Lake City, Utah, 84115

United States

Background Check Required – Yes

Drug Test Required – No

Schedule Code – B - Competitive Career Service

Why You Should Join Our Team

In Utah, we believe hard work is important, but balance is essential. Finding work/life balance is a vital element to our culture. To find out more about WHY Utah, click here. Other benefits may include:

• Job Stability: Enjoy the security and reliability of employment within a well-established organization.
• Career Growth: Develop valuable skills and gain opportunities for leadership within a large organization.
• Meaningful Work: Contribute to an important service that benefits the community and supports organizational goals.
• Supportive Work Environment: Be part of a team that values cooperation, strong work ethics, and mutual support.

The Agency

Become an integral part of a Utah Division working together to keep children safe and strengthen families in our communities. Experience a sense of achievement for a job well done and enjoy work life balance! We offer great health benefits and retirement plans, generous paid time off, and a balanced work schedule to afford quality time spent with your family.

The goal of Utah Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) is to have communities where children grow up safe from abuse, neglect and dependency, where adults are protected from domestic violence, and where parents can be strengthened in their capacity to keep their family safe.

For more information about DCFS, Click Here

EEO Statement

The State of Utah is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. For accommodations, please contact (801) 957-9390.