Social Worker II

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. Job Details 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 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? 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, participates in interdisciplinary team meetings, completes an initial social history and maintains appropriate updates. It may also support assessment of the individual's rights and capacity to make decisions, provide individual and group training to promote the exercise of rights, and assist with coordination of admissions, transfers, transitions, and discharges. The Social Worker II works under moderate supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Performs other duties as assigned, which may include serving in a supporting role for disaster response, 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, at times a rotating schedule, extended shift, and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy. 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 psychosocial, economic, and physical needs, with updates as appropriate. Interview examples include upon admission, upon 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 or treatment providers. Oversight ensures that assigned staff have performed the liaison function regarding ongoing care, treatment, and support, including maintaining open communication, providing required notification, participating in interdisciplinary team meetings, 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 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, coordinating with receiving facilities for transferring individuals, and managing transportation and transfer of resident information and personal possessions. 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 political candidates, gathering baseline information regarding resident knowledge of their rights, and developing training materials to improve and enhance self‑advocacy skills. Participates in residence and family meetings and conducts formal presentations describing facility processes. 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, and 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 and 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 the Texas Board of Social Work Examiners. Initial Screening Criteria Baccalaureate Social Worker, Master Social Worker, or Clinical Social Worker is required. One year of experience working directly with persons with mental health issues is required. Completion of State Hospital internship program is 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. 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. Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans All active‑duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. 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 online application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at View phone number on click.appcast.io. 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 Applicants may need to pass background and other due diligence checks. HHSC uses E‑Verify. Bring your I‑9 documentation on your first day of work. Telework Disclaimer This position may be eligible for telework. All HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs. #J-18808-Ljbffr