Atlanta Social Services Jobs: How to Find Meaningful Work Helping People in the City

Atlanta is a major hub for social services jobs, with opportunities ranging from child welfare and homelessness outreach to hospital social work and community mental health. Whether you’re just starting your career or looking to move into a more impactful role, Atlanta offers many ways to work directly with residents and communities in need.

This guide walks through where the jobs are, what roles exist, who hires, typical requirements, and how to search specifically in Atlanta, Georgia.

What “Social Services Jobs” Mean in Atlanta

In Atlanta, social services jobs generally involve helping individuals, families, or communities cope with challenges such as:

• Poverty and housing instability
• Child abuse and neglect
• Domestic violence
• Food insecurity
• Disability and aging
• Mental health and substance use
• Reentry after incarceration
• Access to healthcare, education, and benefits

Roles may be in government agencies, nonprofits, schools, shelters, hospitals, and community programs.

Common job titles include:

• Social Worker (BSW, MSW, LCSW roles)
• Case Manager / Caseworker
• Family Support Specialist
• Housing Navigator / Homeless Outreach Worker
• Youth Counselor / Mentor
• Victim Advocate / Domestic Violence Advocate
• Behavioral Health Technician
• Community Outreach Coordinator
• Program Coordinator / Program Manager
• Eligibility Specialist / Benefits Specialist

Major Employers of Social Services Workers in Atlanta

1. City and County Government Agencies

These agencies regularly hire for direct-service and administrative social services roles.

City of Atlanta – Department of Human Services

• Focuses on services to vulnerable residents, seniors, and families.
• Jobs may include program specialist, outreach worker, senior services coordinator, community liaison, and more.

Fulton County Government (many positions based in downtown and midtown Atlanta)
Main offices are generally around the Government Center area, such as:

• 141 Pryor St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303

Fulton County departments that often post social services jobs include:

• Fulton County Department of Community Development
  • Housing programs, homelessness initiatives, community programs.
• Fulton County Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities
  • Case managers, counselors, peer specialists, support coordinators.

DeKalb County Government (for Atlanta addresses that fall in DeKalb County)

• Jobs in child and family services, senior services, community development, and mental health support.

Hiring through these agencies often uses county or city job portals, where you can set alerts for “social services,” “case manager,” “social worker,” or “human services” in the Atlanta area.

2. State of Georgia Agencies Based in Atlanta

Several state offices with Atlanta locations play a central role in social services hiring.

Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS)
Main Atlanta-area operations often involve:

• Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS)
  • Child protective services, foster care, family preservation, and benefits (food assistance, Medicaid eligibility).
  • Jobs: Child Protective Services (CPS) Case Manager, Family Support Worker, Social Services Supervisor, Eligibility Specialist.
  • Local DFCS offices serve Atlanta residents across Fulton and DeKalb counties.

Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD)

• Oversees mental health, developmental disability, and addiction services.
• Jobs: care coordinators, crisis workers, support coordinators, peer specialists, program managers serving metro Atlanta.

Many state roles may be based in or around downtown Atlanta and surrounding neighborhoods, occasionally requiring work across multiple counties in the metro area.

3. Atlanta Nonprofits and Community Organizations

Atlanta has a large nonprofit network focusing on homelessness, youth, food access, domestic violence, immigration services, community health, and reentry. These organizations frequently hire:

• Case managers and caseworkers
• Outreach and engagement staff
• Shelter and housing staff
• Program coordinators and administrators

Some types of Atlanta-area organizations that regularly employ social services staff include:

• Homeless shelters and housing agencies
  • Positions: housing navigators, rapid rehousing case managers, shelter advocates.
• Domestic violence and sexual assault service providers
  • Positions: victim advocates, crisis hotline staff, shelter staff.
• Youth development and after-school programs
  • Positions: youth counselors, family engagement specialists, mentor coordinators.
• Food banks and community food programs
  • Positions: client services coordinators, resource navigators.
• Refugee and immigrant service organizations
  • Positions: resettlement case managers, employment specialists, cultural liaisons.

These groups are often concentrated in Downtown, Midtown, Westside, and South Atlanta, as well as near MARTA routes for easier access for clients and staff.

4. Hospitals, Clinics, and Behavioral Health Providers

Atlanta’s hospital systems and healthcare networks employ many social workers and social services staff to support patients and families.

Large hospital systems with Atlanta locations include:

• Major children’s hospitals
• Large academic medical centers
• Community hospitals across the city
• Behavioral health hospitals and intensive outpatient programs

Common roles:

• Medical Social Worker (MSW) – discharge planning, resource coordination, counseling support
• Behavioral Health Case Manager – coordinating mental health or substance use treatment
• Patient Navigator / Care Coordinator – helping patients access follow-up care, benefits, housing, and community resources

Many of these jobs are based inside hospital campuses, outpatient clinics, and community health centers throughout the city.

5. Schools, Colleges, and Universities

Within the Atlanta city limits and broader metro area, public schools, charter schools, and colleges also hire social services professionals:

• School Social Workers – supporting students and families with social, emotional, and basic-need challenges
• Counselors and Student Support Specialists – coordinating supports and referrals
• College/University Student Services Staff – helping students with housing insecurity, food access, disability support, and mental health referrals

Atlanta Public Schools (APS) and surrounding districts (like Fulton County Schools and DeKalb County Schools) often list these roles on their HR job portals.

Typical Job Requirements for Social Services Work in Atlanta

Requirements depend on the level of responsibility, licensure, and setting.

Education

• Entry-level, non-licensed roles

  • Often require a high school diploma or associate degree and relevant experience.
  • Titles: case aide, residential counselor, peer mentor, shelter advocate, community outreach worker.

• Standard professional social services roles

  • Frequently require a bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, sociology, human services, criminal justice, or related field.
  • Titles: case manager, family support specialist, youth counselor, program coordinator.

• Clinical and advanced roles

  • Typically require a Master of Social Work (MSW) or similar graduate degree.
  • Clinical social workers in Georgia often pursue LMSW or LCSW licensure through the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage & Family Therapists.

Licenses and Certifications

In Atlanta, you’ll often see postings asking for or preferring:

• LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker)
• LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker)
• LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) for counseling-focused roles
• Specialized certifications such as trauma-informed practice, case management, or crisis intervention (often “preferred,” not mandatory).

Skills Atlanta Employers Commonly Look For

• Cultural humility and experience with diverse communities
• Knowledge of local Atlanta resources (shelters, food pantries, clinics, legal aid, etc.)
• Crisis de-escalation and safety awareness
• Strong documentation and time management skills
• Ability to navigate public benefits systems (SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, housing vouchers)
• Comfort working in urban environments, sometimes including fieldwork or home visits

Common Types of Social Services Jobs in Atlanta

Here is a quick overview of typical roles you might see in Atlanta job listings:

Where to Search for Social Services Jobs in Atlanta

1. Government Job Portals

Look for filters like “Human Services,” “Social Services,” “Behavioral Health,” “Child Welfare,” “Community Development,” and “Public Health.”

• City of Atlanta job portal
• Fulton County Government job listings
• DeKalb County Government job board
• State of Georgia statewide job search (filter by Atlanta and surrounding counties)

Search keywords:

• “social worker”
• “case manager”
• “human services”
• “family support”
• “social services Atlanta”
• “CPS case manager”
• “behavioral health case manager”

2. Nonprofit and Community Organizations

Many Atlanta nonprofits use online job boards and their own websites to post openings. When searching:

• Use terms like “Atlanta social services jobs,” “case management Atlanta nonprofit,” or “Atlanta homeless services jobs.”
• Check organization career pages if there’s a particular cause you care about (youth, housing, domestic violence, immigration, etc.).

3. Healthcare Systems

Major hospital and health systems in Atlanta maintain centralized career sites. Use job filters like:

• “social worker”
• “care coordinator”
• “behavioral health”
• “patient navigator”

Many of these roles are based at hospitals and clinics across Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, South Atlanta, and nearby suburbs.

4. School Districts and Universities

For school social work and student services roles:

• Check Atlanta Public Schools HR/careers pages.
• Check nearby districts (Fulton County, DeKalb County, Clayton County, etc.) if you can commute.
• For higher education, explore “student services,” “counselor,” or “case manager” in university job boards.

Entry-Level Social Services Jobs in Atlanta (If You’re Just Starting Out)

If you’re new to the field or do not yet have a degree, there are still ways to start:

Typical entry-level roles:

• Residential Counselor at group homes or shelters
• Shelter Advocate / Client Services Associate
• Case Aide / Support Specialist
• Peer Support Specialist (often requires lived experience plus certification)
• Intake Worker / Front Desk Support at community agencies
• Community Health Worker / Promotor(a) in some neighborhood-based programs

These positions can:

• Give you direct experience with Atlanta’s service systems
• Help you learn area resources and build a local professional network
• Support applications to higher-level roles or grad school later on

Building a Social Services Career in Atlanta

Education and Training Options

Atlanta and the wider metro area host several colleges and universities that offer:

• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
• Master of Social Work (MSW)
• Degrees in psychology, human services, sociology, public health, and criminal justice

Some programs offer field placements or internships in Atlanta-area agencies, which often leads to job offers after graduation.

Networking and Professional Involvement

Ways to connect locally:

• Attend community coalition meetings, neighborhood association gatherings, or city-led forums on housing, public safety, or health.
• Join regional chapters of professional organizations for social workers, counselors, or nonprofit professionals.
• Volunteer with Atlanta nonprofits aligned with your interests (youth, housing, mental health, etc.) to gain experience and connections.

Practical Tips for Landing a Social Services Job in Atlanta

• Tailor your resume to Atlanta’s context

  • Emphasize familiarity with urban communities, multi-cultural populations, and experience working with people impacted by poverty, trauma, or systemic barriers.

• Highlight local knowledge

  • Knowing how to navigate MARTA, understanding neighborhoods (e.g., Westside, South Atlanta, Old Fourth Ward), and being aware of major local service providers can be useful in interviews.

• Prepare for realistic job conditions

  • Many roles may involve home visits, fieldwork, rotating shifts, or on-call coverage, especially in child welfare, shelters, or crisis services.

• Consider bilingual skills a plus

  • Atlanta sees significant populations who speak Spanish and other languages, and many agencies value multilingual staff.

• Ask about supervision and training

  • Especially if you’re seeking licensure hours (LMSW/LCSW), ask how the organization supports clinical supervision, continuing education, and professional growth.

Key Takeaways for Social Services Jobs in Atlanta

• Atlanta offers a wide range of social services jobs, from entry-level shelter roles to licensed clinical positions and program management.
• Major employers include city and county governments, state agencies, nonprofits, hospitals, and schools.
• Requirements range from high school diplomas with experience to graduate degrees and professional licensure, depending on role and setting.
• Focusing your search on Atlanta-specific job portals and organizations, and building familiarity with local resources and neighborhoods, can make you a stronger candidate.

If you want a career centered on helping people and strengthening communities, Atlanta provides many paths to do that through social services work.