Social Worker II

Date:
Jun 17, 2026

Location:

VERNON, TX

Agency:
Health & Human Services Commission (HHSC)

Facility:
Vernon State Hospital

Position:
Social Worker II (Full time, Day Shift)

Salary: $4,866.58 - $6,335.66 per month

Benefits: 100% paid employee health insurance for eligible full‑time employees, defined benefit pension plan, generous time‑off, career advancement opportunities, and more.

We are looking for a dedicated Social Worker II who thrives in a learning environment while making a positive impact on people’s lives. The role involves complex social services work, including serving as a liaison among clients, authorized representatives, and other stakeholders to ensure ongoing care, treatment, and support through person‑centered practices.

• Performs and documents complex social services work, including gathering information to assess the individual’s support systems and service needs.

• Participates in interdisciplinary team meetings as needed and completes initial social history with ongoing updates.

• Supports the assessment of the individual’s rights and capacity to make decisions, providing individual and group training to promote the exercise of rights.

• Assists with the coordination of admissions, transfers, transitions, and discharges, ensuring continuity of care.

• Works under moderate supervision, with limited latitude for initiative and independent judgment.

• Performs other duties as assigned, including supporting disaster response, recovery, or continuity of operations activation, and may require alternate shift patterns or locations.

• Eligible for additional pay for work performed at maximum‑security locations.

Attends work on a regular basis, may work a rotating or extended shift schedule, and may be on call as required. Conducts interviews with individuals, representatives, and agencies to assess support systems and psychosocial needs. Oversees communication and information exchange to ensure coordinated care, including liaising with agencies and obtaining necessary consents. Provides assistance with guardianship, transition planning, and rights related to state and federal laws.

Coordinates rights and capacity assessments and oversees administrative tasks related to admissions, transfers, and discharges. Designs and conducts individual and group training on rights, voting, citizenship, and self‑advocacy. Participates in family meetings and presents facility processes as needed. Performs other duties as assigned, including disaster response and continuity of operations tasks.

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 maintain licensure and comply with Texas State Board and national ethical codes. Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally in individual and group settings.

The Social Worker is required to maintain a Texas Board of Social Work Examiners license.

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

Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre‑employment drug screen, and registry checks (CANRS, Nurse Aid, Medication Aide, Employee Misconduct, LEIE). Males between the ages of 18‑25 must register with the Selective Service. All applicants must be at least 18 years old;
Waco and Terrell Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years old. Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position, including overtime and extended hours. Compliance with HHSC immunization policy is required; employees may need to wear a mask or take other protective measures if they…