Social Work Counselor Jobs in Des Moines, IA

A Social Work Counselor plays a crucial role in the social service industry by providing essential services to aid and improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities. They assess their clients' needs, situations, strengths, and resources to assist and empower them in resolving their problems and improving their wellbeing. Their responsibilities may also include crisis intervention, case management, client advocacy, counseling, and prevention programs. Social Work Counselors work in various settings such as hospitals, schools, community agencies, and social service organizations.

Essential skills for a Social Work Counselor include empathy, active listening, organization, critical-thinking, and communication skills. They should have a strong understanding of social diversity and cultural competency as well. A bachelor's degree in social work (BSW) is typically required, while a master's degree in social work (MSW) may be necessary for some positions. Most states require Social Work Counselors to obtain a license or certification. Prior roles a person may have before becoming a Social Work Counselor include Social Work Assistant, Case Manager, and Community Outreach Worker.

1-15 of 21 Jobs

Licensed Mental Health Counselor / Therapist (Remote)

  • Des Moines, IA
  • 12 days ago
  • Des Moines, IA
  • 12 days ago

Join Talkspace, a leading online platform for therapists and counselors to provide mental health care on your schedule, all from the comfort of home. This is a fully remote, part-time position....

Remote Work

Middle School Professional School Counselor (8th & 9th Grade) - Northview Middle School (School Year 2025-2026)

  • Ankeny, IA (8 miles from Des Moines, IA)
  • 1 day ago
  • Ankeny, IA (8 miles from Des Moines, IA)
  • 1 day ago

Collaborates with instructional staff, other school personnel, parents, and a variety of community resources for the purpose of improving the overall quality of professional school counseling program...

K-8 School Counselor

  • Des Moines, IA
  • 1 day ago
  • Des Moines, IA
  • 1 day ago

Crisis Intervention : Respond to student crises and provide appropriate interventions, support, and referrals to external resources when necessary....

MS Guidance Counselor - Timberline (25/26)

  • Waukee, IA (13 miles from Des Moines, IA)
  • 6 days ago
  • Waukee, IA (13 miles from Des Moines, IA)
  • 6 days ago

MS Guidance Counselor - Timberline (25/26) Waukee Community School District Timberline - Waukee, Iowa This job is also posted in TeachIowa, Iowa's Marketplace for education jobs, and Waukee Community...

Counselor

  • Urbandale, IA (1 mile from Des Moines, IA)
  • 7 days ago
  • Urbandale, IA (1 mile from Des Moines, IA)
  • 7 days ago

intervention and collaborate on safety and well-being initiatives....

starting 2025-26 Counselor-Junior High

  • West Des Moines, IA (12 miles from Des Moines, IA)
  • 7 days ago
  • West Des Moines, IA (12 miles from Des Moines, IA)
  • 7 days ago

starting 2025-26* Counselor-Junior High West Des Moines Community Schools STILWELL JR HIGH - West Des Moines, Iowa This job is also posted in TeachIowa, Iowa's Marketplace for education jobs, and West...

Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Program Coordinator)

  • Des Moines, IA
  • 9 days ago
  • Des Moines, IA
  • 9 days ago

Grade Determinations: Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Program Coordinator), GS-12 Experience, Education, and Licensure....

Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Program Coordinator)

  • Des Moines, IA
  • 12 days ago
  • Des Moines, IA
  • 12 days ago

Grade Determinations : Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (Program Coordinator), GS-12 Experience, Education, and Licensure....

Professional School Counselor - Valerius Elementary [2025-26 School Year]

  • Urbandale, IA (1 mile from Des Moines, IA)
  • 15 days ago
  • Urbandale, IA (1 mile from Des Moines, IA)
  • 15 days ago

Consult with educational specialists such as school psychologists, learning disabilities specialists, AEA specialists, social service and mental health specialists....

Behavioral Counselor-Inpatient Peds Mental Health-Lutheran

  • Des Moines, IA
  • 15 days ago
  • Des Moines, IA
  • 15 days ago

There is also typically an element of care coordination, helping to coordinate services for patient to ensure all available community resources are utilized to the patient's best advantage....

Resident Counselor PRN

  • Des Moines, IA
  • 15 days ago
  • Des Moines, IA
  • 15 days ago

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS: Responds to volatile situations by mediating to diffuse and resolve issues, modeling appropriate crisis intervention and problem solving techniques....

starting 2025-36 High School Counselor

  • West Des Moines, IA (12 miles from Des Moines, IA)
  • 30+ days ago
  • West Des Moines, IA (12 miles from Des Moines, IA)
  • 30+ days ago

starting 2025-36* High School Counselor West Des Moines Community Schools VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL - West Des Moines, Iowa This job is also posted in TeachIowa, Iowa's Marketplace for education jobs, and...

Resident Counselor

  • Des Moines, IA
  • 45+ days ago
  • Des Moines, IA
  • 45+ days ago

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS: Responds to volatile situations by mediating to diffuse and resolve issues, modeling appropriate crisis intervention and problem solving techniques....

Guidance Counselor

  • Altoona, IA (8 miles from Des Moines, IA)
  • 45+ days ago
  • Altoona, IA (8 miles from Des Moines, IA)
  • 45+ days ago

Southeast Polk Community School District Guidance Counselor in Altoona , Iowa Guidance Counselor JobID: 4220 Position Type: Guidance Counselor/ Guidance Counselor Date Posted: 1/10/2025 Location: Runnells...

PACT LMH Therapist-Provisional

  • Des Moines, IA
  • 60+ days ago
  • Des Moines, IA
  • 60+ days ago

Overview The Licensed Mental Health Therapist is a critical part of a dynamic outpatient team providing improved access to organizational services by providing evaluations. The Licensed Mental...

Demographic Data for Des Moines, IA

Moving to Des Moines, IA? Find some basic demographic data about Des Moines, IA below.


Local
National
221,891
5,491
Large

Social Work Counselor Online Courses and Training Opportunities

iHireSocialServices curates thousands of courses in order to recommend the best ones to help further your career. If you register for a course using the links on our site, we may receive a small commission.
Introduction to Social Work
Examine the historical development of social work and learn the knowledge, values, and skills that characterize the social worker. Take the next step to make a difference in the lives of...
Mental Health in Social Work
Deepen your understanding of mental health in social work through a focus on history and treatment, within a culturally-grounded and trauma-informed approach to mental health and client recovery....
Areas of Social Work Practice
This course will orient the learner to the context for social work, including the diversity of human needs, human services, social policy, and legislation. Learners will also gain information...

Title Synonyms

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Salary for Social Work Counselor Jobs in Des Moines, IA

Estimated salary range based on data from US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and iHireSocialServices research efforts.


Highest Education Level

Social Work Counselors in Des Moines, IA offer the following education background
Master's Degree
52.8%
Bachelor's Degree
31.6%
Doctorate Degree
5.0%
Associate's Degree
4.5%
High School or GED
3.0%
Vocational Degree or Certification
2.5%
Some College
0.4%
Some High School
0.1%

Average Work Experience
Here's a breakdown of the number of years' experience offered by Social Work Counselors in Des Moines, IA
2-4 years
39.3%
Less than 1 year
27.4%
None
17.4%
1-2 years
8.4%
8-10 years
7.6%



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