Social Worker II

Overview

Date:
Jan 28, 2026

Location:

VERNON, TX

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: Max Sec Psych  Psychology

Posting Number: 13323

Closing Date: 04/28/2026

Posting Audience: Internal and External

Occupational Category: Healthcare Support

Salary Group: TEXAS-B-19

Salary Range: $4,866.58 - $6,335.66

Pay Frequency: Monthly

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: MOS Codes: ,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 who are dependable, trustworthy, hard workers who believe in the value of teamwork? HHSC is dedicated to building an atmosphere where employees feel valued and supported while providing specialized care for Texans in need.

HHSC is comprised of nine psychiatric hospitals, one youth residential treatment facility, 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Gathers information to assess the individual's support systems and service needs, including participation in interdisciplinary team meetings, as needed.
• Completes an initial social history and maintains appropriate updates; may assist with rights assessment and provide individual and group training to promote exercise of rights.
• Assists with coordination of admissions, transfers, transitions, and discharges, as needed.
• Works under moderate supervision, with limited latitude for initiative and independent judgment.
• Performs other duties as assigned, including disaster response, COOP activation, and related activities; may require alternate shift patterns or locations.
• This position may be eligible for additional pay for work performed on maximum security locations.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs)

• Attend work regularly and follow shift schedules, including rotating or extended shifts and overtime as needed; may be on-call.
• Interview and converse with individuals, legally authorized representatives, involved persons, and agencies to identify needs and gather background information for psychosocial, economic, and physical assessments; update as appropriate.
• Oversee communication and information exchange between the individual, representatives, involved persons, agencies, and providers; ensure liaison function for ongoing care and obtain required consents.
• Assist with guardianship issues, living options discussions, end-of-life planning, and rights per state and federal laws and center policies.
• Oversee rights and capacity assessments and review documentation.
• Assign staff to admissions, transfers, transitions, discharges, and furloughs to ensure access to services; coordinate related tasks for admissions and transfers.
• Coordinate design and conduct of individual and group training to promote rights, voting, citizenship, and decision-making; develop training materials as needed.
• Participate in residence and family meetings; conduct formal presentations on facility processes.
• Perform other duties as assigned, including COOP activation and disaster response participation; may involve alternate shift patterns or locations.

Knowledge,

Skills And Abilities

(KSAs)

• Knowledge of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, human growth and development, behavioral and mental health, and related social work standards and resources.
• Skill in accountability for assigned property with limited financial responsibilities.
• Skills in interviewing, assessment, planning, intervention,…