Students walking on campus

A Degree in Social Work.

Social workers help individuals, families and communities manage and overcome social, personal and other problems. They work in many different setting and at multiple levels and can be found: connecting clients with needed services and resources, advocating for social change, managing and delivering public and private social service systems, providing crisis intervention, and offering life skills training. 

Careers in these fields offer steady, stable employment. Positions are usually permanent after an initial probationary period. For occupational advancement, some additional education (beyond the baccalaureate level) may be required.

Working as a social worker can be both challenging and rewarding. Social workers are likely to encounter client with serious social and personal problems. However, opportunities to create positive changes are great.

The national employment rate for social workers is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations over the next several years. Job prospects are expected to be particularly favorable for: social workers who work with older adults, children (including school social workers) or families; mental health and substance abuse workers; medical and public health social workers (including hospital social workers); and social workers in rural areas. 

Employment Resources

  • The Academic and Career Advisement Center at NMU is a good place to begin exploring career options.
  • Career Services is another important on-campus resource for getting you on your way to locating professional employment. In addition to job listings, you'll get assistance with preparing a resume and advice on conducting a job search.
  • Employment information for people with disabilities is available from the Social Security Administration.
  • Illinois Chapter of NASW site provides information and links to employment sources in Illinois.
  • Michigan Chapter of NASW has a limited listing of job openings in our state. The Web-site is relatively new and should provide more listings in the future.
  • The Michigan Career Builder is a website operated by the Detroit News. It often carries job information on positions throughout the state. Browse this site to get an idea of the diversity of social work jobs and typical salary levels.
  • Michigan Civil Service Department is the source for state civil service career information.
  • Minnesota Department of Human Services. This site provides access to social work related positions throughout Minnesota as well as other employment opportunities under the state merit system. The Hennepin County site is a good web site for the Twin Cities area, including Minneapolis, St. Paul, and surrounding communities.
  • National Association of Social Workers (NASW) publishes a monthly newsletter for members. NASW also maintains NASW Job Links, an on-line service for social work positions. Many of these positions require an MSW degree, but it's worth checking out this site, especially for exploring future career possibilities.
  • The New Social Worker On-Line Career Center The New Social Worker is a social work student organization. Their site includes a wide variety of links to social work employment Internet sites.
  • Northwest Michigan Health Services, Inc. currently has two school-based BHT positions available: one at our Manistee Area Public Schools Child and Adolescent Health Center which also offers medical care and the other is a stand-alone E3 grant position at Mason County Central schools. 
  • Social Service.com advertises itself as the place to begin your career search. It does provide information on a broad range of human service related employment.
  • State of Wisconsin Department of Employment Relations Opportunities for Wisconsin civil service jobs can be found at this site
  • Pure Michigan Talent Connect is a great resource for searching for jobs in Michigan.

Licensure Resources

Current Employment Opportunities

Readjustment Counselor at the Escanaba Vet Center:

The Escanaba Vet Center is looking for a Readjustment Counselor to work at the Escanaba Vet Center in Escanaba MI.

Qualifications: 

MSW degree, Ability to work with Veterans and family members, Fundamental knowledge of mental health diagnoses, disabilities and treatment procedures related to trauma and PTSD.

The position is open to MSW graduates who are working to complete their license as a LLMSW or are fully licensed as a LMSW. 

Candidate will be required to see Veterans at the Vet Center in Escanaba Michigan.

Salary:

LLMSW will start out as a GS9 $59,966. Clinical supervision for licensure will be provided at no cost. Pay scale & grade: GS 9 - 11

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm; some evening and weekends may be required based on the needs of the Vet Center.

Application:

Contact Ronald J. Harsh, Escanaba Vet Center Director. Office: 906-233-0244

To apply at the original job posting, and learn more about the position, more information can be found here.

Bay Cliff Health Camp

Seasonal or year round employment positions are available 

 

 

Qualifications:

  • Staff are at least 18 for most positions.
  • A background check is required of all staff.
  • Additional certifications may be required, based on your position (Lifeguarding, CPR/First Aid, Professional Licensure for Therapy Staff).
  • Our Children’s Summer Therapy Camp for staff runs from June 7th to August 5th.
  • Staff will attend orientation, which is built into your compensated contract period.
  • Staff work six days and have one 24-hour period off each week. Time off during the evening is also available on a rotating basis.
  • If you are in college, often internship credit can be gained from your work at camp.

Check out their website for job availability here.  

 

 

 

School Social Worker at St. Clair High School 

Qualifications:
Master of Social Work degree including a minimum of 500 clock hours of supervised social work practicum experience.

In addition, school social workers must have demonstrated knowledge/competence in four additional areas:

  1. Child psychopathology
  2. Diagnosis, assessment and testing
  3. Educational disabilities and their impact on children and families
  4. The practice of social work in educational settings.

A minimum of Limited Master of Social Work is required. Full licensure and approval by the MDE as a School Social Worker are highly desired.

Report to:  Special Education Director/Building Principal

2023-2024 Salary Schedule:
$46,607 - $86,079 (with Master’s Degree)

Application Procedures:

Applicant should provide the following:

  • Letter of application, with a review of experience appropriate to the position.
  • Resume, letters of recommendation or other information to aid in selection.

Apply on-line here.

Northwest Michigan Health Department

Social Worker / Mental Health Professional – Full time during the school year – East Jordan Elementary School

The Health Department of Northwest Michigan has a school-based position available to provide group and individual services to area youth in the East Jordan Elementary School.

This is a full-time position during the school year, with two days per week worked during the summer. Applicants with experience using electronic medical records and mental health billing are preferred.

YEAR AROUND BENEFITS INCLUDE –

  • Medical: Blue Cross/Blue Shield is offered, with the choice of a Traditional PPO plan, or a High Deductible Health Plan for the employee and family. The Health Department makes a contribution to help offset the High Deductible. Payroll contributions vary depending on plan and level of coverage selected. Employees who opt out of medical coverage will receive a $92.31 in their paycheck per pay period.
  • Dental: Dental coverage is with Delta Dental and has a $25.00/person or $75.00/family annual deductible. Employees pay for usage, but do not have payroll contributions deducted from their pay checks for this benefit.
  • Vision: Vision coverage is with VSP, and offers lenses, frames and examinations once every 12 months within plan limitations. Employees pay for usage, but do not have payroll contributions deducted from their pay checks for this benefit.
  • Group term life insurance: Base coverage for employees of $50,000, spouse $2,000, and children under 18 years of age $1,000 is provided to employees at no cost. Additional optional life insurance is available at employee cost.
  • Short Term Disability: Coverage is equal to two thirds of salary, beginning the 8th day of qualified medical disability, for eligible employees. Health Department of Northwest Michigan pays 100% of the cost, and employees do not have payroll contributions deducted from their pay checks for this benefit.
  • Long Term Disability: Coverage is equal to two thirds of salary, beginning the 91st day of qualified medical disability, for eligible employees. Health Department of Northwest Michigan pays 100% of the cost, and employees do not have payroll contributions deducted from their pay checks for this benefit. All current insurance benefits will continue for three months while on Long Term Disability.
  • Professional Liability in the name of Health Department of Northwest Michigan; Workers Compensation, and Unemployment Insurance. Health Department of Northwest Michigan pays 100% of the cost.
  • Section 125 – Pre-taxable health insurance premiums, Flexible Spending Accounts / Dependent Care Accounts, and optional insurance packages available at 100% employee cost.
  • Wellness Programs that employees are encouraged to participate in. Participation includes a decreased employee share deduction for health insurance for full time staff, or increased monthly deposit to retirement account for full time staff who do not have Health Department insurance. Other incentives may apply as well.
  • PAID TIME OFF – Employees receive 15.6 hours of PTO each year, along with 10.5 calendar holidays, and 2 floating holidays.

Current license to practice as a LMSW or LPC is required; LLMSW or LLPC will be considered.

 

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS - Interested and qualified applicants should -

  • Visit their website www.nwhealth.org for more information on public health.
  • Click on the Careers tab to download a HDNW job application.
  • Submit a (1) cover letter, (2) resume, (3) fully completed HDNW job application, (4) copy of current professional license to careers@nwhealth.org

*** All four items must be submitted. Incomplete submissions will not be considered. ***

This position will remain open until filled. First round interviews MAY be conducted via Teams or Zoom. Health Department of Northwest Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

School Based Social Worker / Mental Health Professional

The Health Department of Northwest Michigan has two school based position available to provide group and individual services to area youth in (1) Boyne City at the Morgan Shaw Alternative School, and (2) in Elk Rapids at the Elementary School.

These are full time positions during the school year, September through June, with minimal, if any, time worked during the summer. Applicants with experience using electronic medical records and mental health billing are preferred.

Current license to practice as a LMSW or LPC is required; LLMSW or LLPC will be considered.

Interested and qualified applicants should submit a (1) cover letter, (2) resume, [3) completed HDNW job application and (4) copy of current professional license to careers@nwhealth.org.

Pathways is hiring

Pathways provides specialized mental health services to adults who have a serious mental illness (SMI), adults and children who have an intellectual/ developmental disability (I/DD) and children and adolescents who have a serious emotional disturbance (SED). Pathways offers recovery orientated outpatient and community based mental health services which include; psychiatry, therapy (individual, group, family), case management, community living supports, skill building and supported employment, assertive community treatment, wraparound, home based services and 24/7 crisis support services. Pathways also provides specialty services, which include occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy and applied behavior analysis. In addition, we have ABA clinics located in Marquette and Escanaba.

Open positions:

If you have any other questions or concerns contact shebert@up-pathways.org

On-site Behavioral Health Therapist at Northwest Michigan Health Services, Inc. 

This position provides traditional counseling as well as integrated behavioral health services to patients of NMHSI. As a licensed clinician, the Behavioral Health Therapist will work in an integrated team-based model of care to improve patients' psychosocial functioning and health. 

For more information on the position, click here to access the full job description. 

Therapist - Adrian Counseling and Psychiatric Clinic

This family owned business is looking for therapists and counselors to join their practice. Located in Southeast Michigan, Adrian Counseling and Psychiatric Clinic is hiring for full-time and part-time positions.

For more information check out the Indeed posting here and their website here. 

Strategy Manager - Community Mobilization at Michigan College Access Network (MCAN)

The Strategy Manager supports various initiatives and projects related to MCAN's four external priorities: fostering a college-going culture, identifying multiple postsecondary education pathways and facilitating smooth transitions, improving college affordability, and supporting credential completion. 

This is a full-time position in Lansing, MI (no remote or hybrid options) with limited in-state travel and a full benefits package. 

For a full job description and benefits package visit this link.