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 III
Job Title: Social Worker III
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm
Department: Chld /orAdolPsych Social Svs
Posting Number: 9530
Closing Date: 10/23/2025
Posting Audience: Internal and External
Occupational Category: Community and Social Services
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-21
Salary Range: $5,175.00 - $7,253.83
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day
Additional Shift:
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework
Travel: Up to 15%
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full Time/Part Time: Full time
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt
Facility Location: Waco Center for Youth
Job Location City: WACO
Job Location Address: 3501 N 19TH ST
Other Locations:
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 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.

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.

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.

• Interviews and converses with individuals, legally authorized representatives (LARs), actively involved persons, and agencies to create and maintain the individual’s social history through determination of what is important to the individual, 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 during admission or prior to transition to a community placement.

• Oversees the communication and information exchange between the individual, legally authorized representative (LAR), actively involved persons, and agencies, as needed, and facility or treatment providers to ensure 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.

• Counsels and provides assistance to individuals, legally authorized representatives (LARs), and actively involved persons regarding community placement issues, living option discussions, end-of-life planning, and rights in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations, and state and State Hospital policies.

• May assign and oversee the work, time, and travel of Social Worker I and II positions and social work students to include interviewing and hiring to fill vacancies, training of new staff and current staff as needed, and performing evaluations and counseling as needed.

• Oversees transfers, transitions, furloughs, and community placement discharges by involving the patient, family/significant others (with consent), as well as the committing court and Local Mental Health Authority (LMHA), for an orderly discharge that includes a referral for continued treatment and services as needed, and medication and personal possessions through the use of person-centered practices. Examples include: coordinating and conducting tours of identified discharge options for individuals and families; engagement and communication with state and judicial systems, as well as facility or treatment providers; providing information to the local authority to assist in obtaining required documents for discharge planning, including certified birth certificates, ISD records, and social security cards; and coordinating with the receiving facility for individuals transferring within the State Hospital system, to include transportation and the transfer of patient information, personal possessions, medication, etc.

• Designs and conducts individual and group training to explore and promote exercise of rights, development of decision-making, person-centered thinking, and self-advocacy skills. Develops and presents curriculum and training materials designed to support patients to a wide array of interested parties, patients, and stakeholders.

• Participates in, and may be responsible for, the facilitation of discharge program meetings and internal/external work groups. Actively engaged in the utilization of existing resources as well as in the identification of potential service gaps.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Knowledge of human growth and development, behavioral and mental health, and developmental and emotional components of physical illness; individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities; social work standards for case management; facility and community resources; and the principles, methods, and theories used to practice as a social worker.

• Knowledge of community resources to support the discharge of State Hospital patients with high/complex needs.

• Knowledge of State Hospital discharge policies and procedures.

• Skill in interviewing, assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, case management, mediation, counseling, information and referral, problem solving, supervision, consultation, and advocacy.

• Skill in accountability for assigned property with limited financial responsibilities.

• Skill and ability to assign and supervise the work of others.

• 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 State Hospital policies and procedures.

• Ability to be creative and work collaboratively with others on behalf of patients discharging from State Hospitals.

• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and verbally, in both individual and group settings.