Social Service Jobs in Atlanta, GA: Where to Look, What to Expect, and How to Get Hired

If you’re searching for social service jobs in Atlanta, GA, you’re in a strong market. Atlanta is a regional hub for state agencies, nonprofits, hospitals, schools, and community programs that all hire people to support children, families, older adults, people with disabilities, and others in need.

This guide walks you through:

• Common types of social service roles in Atlanta
• Major employers and agencies in the metro area
• Typical qualifications and salaries
• Where to find openings and how to stand out as a job seeker

What Counts as a “Social Service” Job in Atlanta?

In Atlanta, social service jobs generally involve helping people navigate challenges related to:

• Housing and homelessness
• Food insecurity
• Child welfare and family support
• Domestic violence and abuse
• Mental health and substance use
• Disability services
• Reentry after incarceration
• Senior services and caregiving
• Community development and outreach

These roles can be found in:

• Government agencies (city, county, and state)
• Nonprofit organizations and charities
• Hospitals and health systems
• Schools, colleges, and universities
• Faith-based and community organizations

Common Social Service Job Titles in Atlanta

Below are roles you’ll frequently see in Atlanta job postings for social services.

Direct Service & Case Management

• Case Manager / Caseworker
• Social Worker (often LMSW or LCSW preferred for clinical roles)
• Family Support Specialist
• Housing Navigator / Housing Case Manager
• Foster Care Worker / Adoption Specialist
• Victim Advocate / Domestic Violence Advocate
• Reentry Specialist (supporting people leaving jail/prison)
• Youth Program Coordinator
• Behavioral Health Tech / Mental Health Worker

Community & Program Roles

• Community Outreach Coordinator
• Community Health Worker
• Program Coordinator / Program Manager
• Volunteer Coordinator
• Resource Navigator (connecting people to benefits and services)

Specialized and Clinical Roles

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
• Substance Use Counselor (often needs specific credentials)
• School Social Worker
• Medical Social Worker (working in hospitals/clinics)

Major Employers for Social Service Jobs in Atlanta, GA

Atlanta has a concentration of large public agencies and nonprofit organizations that regularly hire for social service roles.

1. Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS)

DHS and its divisions are among the biggest social service employers in the state.

Key divisions in the Atlanta area:

• Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS) – child welfare, foster care, adoption, family support
• Division of Aging Services (DAS) – elder services, caregiver support
• Division of Child Support Services – child support enforcement and related services

Common roles: Child Protective Services Case Manager, Social Services Technician, Family Support Worker, Program Consultant.

Headquarters (central office):
Georgia Department of Human Services
2 Peachtree St NW
Atlanta, GA 30303

Job seekers usually apply through the state’s official careers portal for positions with DHS and DFCS.

2. Fulton County and DeKalb County Governments

Metro Atlanta counties employ social service professionals in multiple departments.

Fulton County Government

Fulton County offers roles in:

• Department of Community Development (homelessness services, housing, community programs)
• Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities
• Senior Services

Main administrative address:
Fulton County Government Center
141 Pryor St SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

DeKalb County Government

DeKalb County’s departments often hire for:

• Community Development
• Human Services
• Juvenile Court and related services

Main administrative address:
DeKalb County Administration Building
1300 Commerce Dr
Decatur, GA 30030

Both counties post jobs on their official county careers pages.

3. City of Atlanta

The City of Atlanta hires for social services-related work through departments such as:

• Department of Human Services / Human Services-related offices
• Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services
• Office of Recreation & Community Services

Common city roles:

• Community Outreach Specialist
• Program Coordinator (youth, seniors, neighborhood programs)
• Homeless Outreach Worker

City Hall address:
City of Atlanta
55 Trinity Ave SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

4. Atlanta Public Schools and Other School Systems

School systems in and around Atlanta hire school social workers and family support staff.

Key employers:

• Atlanta Public Schools (APS)
  • Central Office: 130 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Neighboring systems like DeKalb County School District, Fulton County Schools, and others in the metro area

Common roles:

• School Social Worker
• Family Engagement Specialist
• Attendance/Truancy Social Worker

These jobs often require a social work license and sometimes a school social work endorsement depending on the role.

5. Hospitals and Health Systems

Large health systems in Atlanta frequently hire medical social workers, care coordinators, and behavioral health staff.

Major systems include:

• Grady Health System

  • Grady Memorial Hospital
  • 80 Jesse Hill Jr Dr SE
    Atlanta, GA 30303

• Emory Healthcare (multiple hospitals and clinics throughout the metro)

• Piedmont Healthcare (e.g., Piedmont Atlanta Hospital)

  • 1968 Peachtree Rd NW
    Atlanta, GA 30309

• Wellstar Health System (multiple locations across metro Atlanta)

Sample roles:

• Medical Social Worker (inpatient and outpatient)
• Discharge Planner / Care Coordinator
• Behavioral Health Social Worker
• Case Manager (RN or social work background)

6. Nonprofit and Community-Based Organizations

Atlanta has a large nonprofit sector providing housing, food, domestic violence support, youth programs, and more. These organizations often hire social service staff at all experience levels.

Examples include:

• United Way of Greater Atlanta – regional hub that funds and runs community programs

  • 40 Courtland St NE
    Atlanta, GA 30303

• Atlanta Mission – homeless services and recovery programs

• Atlanta Volunteers of America Southeast (VOA Southeast) – housing, reentry, veteran services

• The Salvation Army Metro Atlanta Area Command – shelter, social services, disaster response

• YWCA of Greater Atlanta – women and family support programs

• Refugee and immigrant-serving agencies – case management and cultural orientation services

Specific job titles vary by organization, but often include:

• Case Manager
• Shelter Advocate
• Housing Specialist
• Program Assistant
• Youth Counselor

7. Universities and Colleges

Higher education institutions in Atlanta also hire social service and student support professionals.

Notable employers:

• Georgia State University
• Georgia Tech (Georgia Institute of Technology)
• Clark Atlanta University
• Spelman College
• Morehouse College

Typical roles:

• Student Support Services Coordinator
• Case Manager (student retention, mental health coordination)
• Title IX / Victim Advocate
• Program Coordinator for TRIO, Upward Bound, or similar programs

Typical Qualifications for Social Service Jobs in Atlanta

Education Requirements

Requirements depend on the level of responsibility and whether the role is clinical.

• Entry-level / paraprofessional roles

  • Often require a high school diploma or GED, sometimes an associate’s or some college
  • Titles: Residential Counselor, Shelter Advocate, Case Aide, Outreach Worker

• Standard case management/social work roles

  • Typically require a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work (BSW) or a related field (psychology, sociology, human services, public health)

• Clinical and specialized roles

  • Usually require a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) or a related graduate degree
  • Many positions specify LMSW or LCSW in Georgia for therapy and clinical assessment

In Atlanta, employers often list “social work or closely related field” as acceptable for non-clinical roles, but DHS/DFCS and hospitals may have stricter requirements.

Licensing in Georgia

For roles labeled “Social Worker” or “Clinical Social Worker”:

• Georgia licenses social workers through the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage & Family Therapists.
• Common licenses:
  • LMSW – Licensed Master Social Worker
  • LCSW – Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Non-clinical roles may not require licensure, but having an LMSW or LCSW can greatly expand options and pay potential in Atlanta.

Pay Expectations for Social Service Jobs in Atlanta

Wages vary based on employer, role, and credentials, but common patterns in the Atlanta area include:

• Entry-level non-licensed roles:

  • Frequently in the $15–$22 per hour range, sometimes higher for overnight or specialized work.

• Bachelor’s-level case management roles:

  • Often in the low to mid $40,000s annually, with some higher depending on agency and funding.

• Licensed Master’s-level (LMSW/LCSW) roles:

  • Often range from the $50,000s into the $70,000s+, especially in medical social work, behavioral health, or supervisory jobs.

Benefits can make a big difference. State, county, city, and hospital systems in Atlanta often offer:

• Health insurance
• Retirement contributions
• Paid leave and holidays
• Tuition assistance or professional development support

Where to Find Social Service Job Listings in Atlanta

You can search broadly online, but these Atlanta-focused strategies help you find more targeted roles:

1. Government Job Portals

• State of Georgia careers site:

  • Look for roles with DHS, DFCS, Department of Community Health, and other social service-related agencies.

• Fulton County, DeKalb County, City of Atlanta official careers pages:

  • Search for keywords like “human services,” “social services,” “case manager,” “outreach,” “community”.

2. Hospital and Health System Career Pages

Check each health system’s official careers page for openings such as:

• “Social Worker”
• “Case Manager”
• “Care Coordinator”
• “Behavioral Health”

Focus on:

• Grady Health System
• Emory Healthcare
• Piedmont Healthcare
• Wellstar Health System

3. Nonprofit Job Boards and Organization Websites

Many Atlanta nonprofits post jobs on:

• Their own websites, under “Careers” or “Join Our Team”
• Regional nonprofit job boards or community listings

Search for:

• “Case manager”
• “Program coordinator”
• “Housing specialist”
• “Shelter advocate”

in combination with “Atlanta, GA”.

4. School Systems and Universities

Look on:

• Atlanta Public Schools careers page (search “social worker” or “family engagement”)
• Other metro school districts’ job boards
• Major Atlanta universities’ HR sites

Skills That Help You Stand Out in Atlanta’s Social Service Job Market

Employers across the Atlanta metro area commonly look for:

• Strong communication skills (verbal and written)
• Cultural competency and comfort working with diverse communities
• Familiarity with Atlanta neighborhoods and local resources
• Crisis intervention and de-escalation skills
• Case documentation and basic computer proficiency (Microsoft Office, electronic records)
• Bilingual abilities, especially Spanish, are often valued
• Understanding of Medicaid, SNAP, housing programs, and local assistance resources

For clinical and higher-level roles, employers may also want:

• Experience with evidence-based practices for mental health or substance use
• Prior work within Georgia’s child welfare, criminal justice, or healthcare systems

Quick Comparison: Types of Social Service Employers in Atlanta

Entry-Level Options If You’re New to Social Services

If you’re just starting out in Atlanta and don’t yet have a degree or license, you can still get experience in:

• Shelter or residential staff roles (overnight or daytime support)
• Outreach worker or community liaison positions
• Volunteer coordinator assistant or program aide
• Peer support roles (some require specific training or lived experience)

These jobs can help you:

• Build a track record working with vulnerable populations
• Learn local resource networks in Atlanta
• Earn experience while pursuing further education or licensure

Practical Steps to Start Your Social Service Career in Atlanta

1. Clarify the type of work you want.
   Decide whether you’re more interested in child welfare, housing, mental health, medical settings, schools, or community outreach.

2. Match your education and license path.

   • No degree yet: Look at entry-level nonprofit, shelter, and outreach roles.
   • Bachelor’s degree: Target case management and program roles.
   • MSW or similar: Pursue licensed social work or clinical positions.

3. Build local connections.

   • Attend job fairs and community events hosted by Atlanta nonprofits, universities, or government agencies.
   • Join local professional groups for social workers and human service professionals.

4. Customize your resume for Atlanta employers.

   • Highlight any experience with diverse communities, crisis situations, or public assistance programs.
   • Emphasize knowledge of Atlanta-area neighborhoods and resources when relevant.

5. Prepare for emotionally demanding work.
   Social service jobs in Atlanta, especially in child welfare, homelessness, and crisis response, can be intense. Employers often value candidates who can discuss:

   • Self-care strategies
   • Teamwork and using supervision
   • Resilience and boundaries in challenging situations

If you’re searching for social service jobs in Atlanta, GA, focusing on these employers, qualifications, and search strategies will help you navigate the local landscape and find roles that fit your skills and goals within the metro area.