Social Worker, NL 1

Salary : $33,042.48 Annually
Location : Columbus, GA
Job Type: Full Time Salaried
Job Number: 2026-00600
Division/Section: District 7 County Position
Opening Date: 08/21/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


Description

Who we are. We protect lives. The Georgia Department of Public Health is the lead agency entrusted by the people of Georgia to proudly protect lives and promote healthy lifestyles in diverse communities statewide. We are committed to preventing disease, injury, and disability; promoting health and well-being; and preparing the State of Georgia for responding to disasters.


What we offer. As a member of the Georgia Department of Public Health team, you will join a passionate group of individuals who are dedicated to making an impact. No matter your role, you will individually contribute to protecting the lives of all Georgians while receiving a wide range of benefits, so you can:

• Make a Professional Impact - Build your career where it matters and protect lives in the community where you live, work, and play
• Enjoy Workplace Flexibility - Experience flexibility in how you work so you can be your best self for you and Georgia Residents
• Work with a Dynamic and Diverse Team - Collaborative and inclusive way of working where employees share ideas and leverage collective strengths
• Achieve Career Longevity - Countless opportunities for continuous learning/development that support a long-term career
• Take Part in a Hands-on Working Culture - Unique culture of active engagement and problem-solving, no matter your role
• Feel Pride in Where you Work - Be part of making an impact in public health alongside dedicated people just like you

As a Social Worker, Non-licensed 1 within the Columbus Health Department at the Georgia Department of Public Health, you will join a dedicated group of public health professionals that help support the overall mission and vision of protecting lives of Georgian residents in a variety of ways.

Job Responsibilities
This position will be housed in Columbus, GA and will provide persons, families, and/or vulnerable populations with the psychosocial support needed to cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses and physical or developmental disabilities. *This is not a remote position. You will support the Department by utilizing your expertise to fulfill the following responsibilities:

• Assess, screen, and counsel clients in a variety of program areas performing social services activities to enhance, meet or restore their functioning capacity.
• Develop or participate in case management/care plans.
• Provide patient education and counseling, advise caregivers, and make necessary referrals for other social services.
• This position will work with patients in an infectious disease clinical setting.

Minimum Qualifications


MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor's degree in a related field from an accredited college or university and two (2) years of experience in social service delivery.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Master's degree in social work, psychology, counseling, sociology, education, nursing, vocational rehabilitation, or a related field and two (2) years of full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience in social services delivery (case management, outreach, prevention/education, client assessment, or the development and/or implementation of treatment, rehabilitation, or service plans).

Additional Information
All West Central Health District 7 employees are deemed essential workers in the event of an emergency. As such, you may be called on to participate in an event including but not limited to staffing a shelter, working at a Specimen Point of Collection Site (SPOC) and/or working at a Point of Dispensing site (POD). If you are called on to participate, you are required to report to the designated site as a condition of employment, whether the emergency occurs during or outside regular work hours.

The DPH Commissioner and agency leaders encourage all employees to engage in regular wellness activities and to make lifestyle choices that promote health and well-being.


The use of physical activity breaks during the workday is authorized to support this philosophy and help employees meet their wellness goals. A maximum of 30 minutes of physical activity may be allocated per workday, typically in the form of two 15-minute breaks or one 30-minute break.

Employment Information

State of Georgia employees are subject to the rules of the State Personnel Board regarding salary.

DPH accepts educational credentials recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and/or the US Department of Education (DOE) as valid. DPH will contact educational institutions to verify degrees, diplomas, licensures, and other relevant credentials.

The candidate selected for this position may be subject to pre-employment drug screening and a criminal background check.

Relocation assistance is not provided.

In the event of an identified emergency, you may be required, as a term and condition of DPH employment, to assist in meeting the emergency responsibilities of the department.


ADA Statement

DPH is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for the application or interview process, email View email address on click.appcast.io.


DPH is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or e-mail. All qualified applicants will be considered, but may not receive an interview. DPH will contact selected applicants to proceed with the application process. Applicants who are not selected will not receive notification.

This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.

BENEFITS

Standard Benefits for Full-Time Salaried Employees
In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a generous benefits package that includes a flexible schedule, training opportunities, health insurance, employee retirement plan (ERS GSEPS), deferred compensation, 13 paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, paid parental leave, dental, vision, long-term care, and life insurance.
Standard Benefits for Part-Time Employees

Part-time employees are eligible to participate in the Georgia Defined Contribution Plan and receive paid parental leave.
Standard Benefits for Full-Time Salaried Employees
In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a generous benefits package that includes a flexible schedule, training opportunities, health insurance, employee retirement plan (ERS GSEPS), deferred compensation, 13 paid holidays, vacation & sick leave, paid parental leave, dental, vision, long term care, and life insurance.
Standard Benefits for Part-Time Employees
Part-time employees receive the Georgia Defined Contribution Plan and paid parental leave.
01


The answers you provide to the supplemental questions will be used to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for this position. Your responses pertaining to specific work experience and education must be clearly shown in the areas for work history and education on your application. Your application must be completed in full before it is submitted. We do not accept additional information after your application has been received by the Personnel Department. Do you accept these conditions?

• Yes
• No

02


Serving our community during an emergency event is a condition of employment for Public Health workers. In the event of an emergency, you may be required to work extended hours, to include nights and weekends. Do you accept these conditions?

• Yes
• No

03


Have you previously worked for the State of Georgia and/or Georgia Department of Public Health? If yes, please list agency and the county of employment.
04


Are you a current employee of the Georgia Department of Public Health or the County Board of Health?

• No
• Full Time Employee
• Part Time Employee
• Temp or Contractor
• Intern
• Volunteer

05


What is your highest level of education completed?

• Doctorate's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Associate's Degree
• Vocational/Technical Degree
• High School Diploma/GED
• None

06


How many years of experience do you have working in a social services related field?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 - 2 years
• 2 - 3 years
• 3 -4 years
• More than 4 years

07


How many years of experience do you have experience providing health education, participating in community outreach, and linking customers or patients to health or social services?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 - 2 years
• 2 - 3 years
• 3 - 4 years
• More than 4 years

08


Do you have any relatives working for West Central Health District's 16-County Health Departments (Chattahoochee, Clay, Crisp, Dooly, Harris, Macon, Marion, Muscogee, Quitman, Randolph, Schley, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taylor or Webster counties)? If yes to question , please list name, relationship, and the county of employment.

• Yes
• No

09


Have you ever been dismissed or terminated from any State of Georgia government position? If yes, please explain. *Failure to disclose such information may result in disqualification from employment with the Department of Public Health - West Central Health District 7.
Required Question