Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.
Functional Title: Social Worker II
Job Title: Social Worker II
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm
Department: MaxSecPsych Direct Care
Posting Number: 18067
Closing Date: 09/15/2026
Posting Audience: Internal and External
Occupational Category: Healthcare Support
Salary Range: $4,866.58 - $6,335.66
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-19
Shift: Day
Additional Shift:
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework
Travel: Up to 10%
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full Time/Part Time: Full time
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt
Facility Location: Vernon State Hospital
Job Location City: VERNON
Job Location Address: 4730 COLLEGE DR
Other Locations: Vernon
MOS Codes: 0149,5832,230X,42SX,4C0X1,68X,73A,HM
Brief Job Description:
Would you thrive in an environment where you learn and grow personally and professionally all while helping make a positive impact on people’s lives? Do you appreciate being around others like yourself who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of teamwork? HSCS is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need. HSCS is comprised of ten psychiatric hospitals, two youth residential treatment facilities, and thirteen state supported living centers. The psychiatric hospitals are a hub of excellence for forensic mental health and complex psychiatric care, with all facilities accredited by The Joint Commission. They provide state-of-the-art treatment that is recovery-oriented and science-based. If providing hope and healing through compassionate, innovative, and individualized care interests you, we welcome your application for the position below.
The Social Worker II performs and documents complex social services work including serving as a liaison between the individual, legally authorized representative, and others to assure ongoing care, treatment and support through the use of person-centered practices. This position gathers information to assess the individual's support systems and service needs, including participation in interdisciplinary team meetings, as needed. This position completes an initial social history, as well as maintains appropriate updates. This position may also support the assessment of the individual's rights and capacity to make decisions and provides individual and group training to promote the exercise of rights. This position designs and provides individual and group training to promote the exercise of rights. This position assists with the coordination of admissions, transfers, transitions, and discharges, as needed. The Social Worker II works under moderate supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.
This position may also be eligible to earn additional pay for work performed on maximum security locations.
Essential Job Functions (EJFs):
Attends work on a regular basis and may be asked to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned. May serve in an on-call status on a rotating schedule as required to meet operational needs of the facility.
Interviews and converses with individuals, legally authorized representatives, actively involved persons and agencies to determine what is important to the individual and gather background information needed to assess the individual’s support systems and identify the individual’s psychosocial, economic, and physical needs, with updates as appropriate. Interview examples include upon admission or return on an extended forensic commitment, prior to transition to a new home, upon a change in status and in preparation for the annual individual support plan meeting.
Oversees the communication and information exchange between the individual, legally authorized representative, actively involved person and agencies, and facility or treatment providers. Oversight is to ensure that assigned staff have performed liaison function regarding ongoing care, treatment, and support to include, maintaining open communication, providing required notification, participating in interdisciplinary team meetings as requested, obtaining necessary consents and accessing external resources as needed.
Provides assistance to individuals, legally authorized representatives, and actively involved persons regarding guardianship issues, annual living options discussions, end-of-life planning and rights in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations and state and center policies.
Oversees the coordination and completion of the rights and capacity assessment by assigned staff and reviews the documentation.
Assigns facility staff to perform admissions, transfers, transitions, discharges, and furloughs to assure access to services through the use of person-centered practices. Examples include: providing tours of the facility for individuals and families interested in admission, providing information to the local authority to assist in obtaining required documents for admission including certified birth certificates, ISD records and social security cards and coordinating with the receiving facility for individuals transferring within the SSLC system to include transportation and the transfer of resident information, personal possessions, medication, etc.
Coordinates the design and conducting of individual and group training to explore and promote exercise of rights, voting, citizenship, and development of decision-making, person centered thinking and self-advocacy skills. Examples include scheduling and facilitating a group meeting to provide information regarding candidates running for political office to support resident voting, gathering baseline information regarding resident knowledge of their rights related to privacy for visits with family and friends and telephone calls and gathering or developing training materials to provide group education to improve and enhance self-advocacy skills.
Participates in residence and family meetings and conducts formal presentations describing facility processes.
Performs other duties as assigned. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):
Knowledge of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, human growth and development, behavioral and mental health, developmental and emotional components of physical illness, social work standards for case management: facility and community resources, and the principles, methods and theories used to practice as a social worker.
Skill in accountability for assigned property with limited financial responsibilities.
Skills in interviewing, assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, case management, mediation, counseling, information and referral, problem solving, supervision, consultation and advocacy.
Ability to perform all job duties in accordance with the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners Code of Conduct, National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics and in compliance with state, state center policies and procedures.
Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally in both individual and group settings.
Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:
The Social Worker is required to maintain licensure in accordance with Texas Board of Social Work Examiners.
Initial Screening Criteria:
Baccalaureate Social Worker, Master Social Worker, or Clinical Social Worker is required.
AND
One Year of experience working directly with persons with mental health issues required.
OR
Completion of State Hospital internship program required.
Additional Information:
Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct, List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE). Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.
All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility. Waco and Terrell Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age.
Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours.
Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare workers are considered to be at significant risk for acquiring or transmitting hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza. All these diseases are vaccine preventable. As a result, state hospital policy requires employees be vaccinated according to their level of contact with individuals. In the event you choose to not be immunized for the influenza virus, you may be required to wear a mask and take other protective measures.
Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.
Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:
Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.
ADA Accommodations:
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.
Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:
Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.
HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form
Telework Disclaimer:
This position may be eligible for telework. Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.
