Social Worker II

Join to apply for the Social Worker II role at Texas Health and Human Services

Location:

Vernon State Hospital, Vernon, TX, US

Posting Date:
Dec 18, 2025 | Closing Date: 01/19/2026

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. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, opportunities for career advancement, and more.

• Performs and documents complex social services work, serving as a liaison between the individual, legally authorized representative, and others to ensure ongoing care, treatment, and support using person-centered practices.
• Gathers information to assess the individual’s support systems and service needs, participates in interdisciplinary team meetings as needed, completes an initial social history, and maintains updates.
• Assists with the assessment of the individual’s rights and capacity to make decisions; provides individual and group training to promote the exercise of rights.
• Coordinates admissions, transfers, transitions, and discharges as needed; coordinates with staff to ensure access to services through person-centered practices.
• Works under moderate supervision with limited latitude for initiative and independent judgment.
• Performs other duties as assigned, including potential roles in disaster response, recovery, or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation.
• May be eligible for additional pay for work performed on maximum security locations.

• Attend work regularly and follow assigned shift schedules; may include rotating schedules, extended shifts, or overtime; on-call status as required.
• Interview and converse with individuals, representatives, involved persons, and agencies to determine what is important to the individual and gather background information for assessment of psychosocial, economic, and physical needs.
• Oversee communication and information exchange between individuals, representatives, involved persons, agencies, and treatment providers to ensure ongoing care and required notifications.
• Provide guidance on guardianship, living options discussions, end-of-life planning, and rights in accordance with laws and center policies.
• Coordinate and supervise the rights and capacity assessment and ensure documentation is reviewed.
• Assign facility staff to admissions, transfers, transitions, and discharges; assist with gathering required admission documents and coordinating transfers within the facility system.
• Design and conduct individual and group trainings to promote rights, voting, citizenship, and development of decision-making and self-advocacy skills.
• Participate in residence and family meetings and deliver formal presentations on facility processes.

• Knowledge of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, human growth and development, behavioral and mental health, and social work standards for case management.
• Skills in interviewing, assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, case management, mediation, counseling, information and referral, problem solving, supervision, consultation, and advocacy.
• Ability to comply with the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners Code of Conduct and NASW Code of Ethics, and to communicate effectively in writing and verbally in both individual and group settings.

The Social Worker is required to maintain licensure in accordance with the Texas Board of Social Work Examiners.

• Baccalaureate Social Worker, Master Social Worker, or Clinical Social Worker required.
• One year of experience working directly with persons with mental health issues required, or completion of State Hospital internship program.

• Applicants must pass fingerprint background checks, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks (CANRS, Nurse Aide, Medication Aide, and Employee Misconduct, LEIE).
• Males aged 18-25 must be registered with Selective Service.
• All applicants must be at least 18 years old (Waco Center for Youth applicants must be 21).
• Flexibility in work hours; overtime and/or extended hours may be required.
• Immunization policy compliance is required; vaccination may be required based on contact level with individuals, with masks or other protective measures if not immunized for influenza.
• HHSC uses E-Verify. Bring I-9 documentation on first day.

Nearest Major Market:
Wichita Falls