Social Worker IV

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 IV 
Job Title: Social Worker IV 
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm 
Department: Chld /orAdolPsych Social Svs 
Posting Number: 14253 
Closing Date: 03/12/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Community and Social Services 
Salary Range: $6,579.41 - $8,304.83 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-23 
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, two youth residential treatment facilities, 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.

The Social Worker IV performs and documents advanced social services work including 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, including participation in interdisciplinary team meetings, as needed; completes an initial social history, as well as maintains appropriate updates; may also support the assessment of the individual's rights and capacity to make decisions; designs and provides individual and group training to promote the exercise of rights and oversees training curriculum and materials; assists with the coordination of admissions, transfers, transitions, and discharges, as needed; assigns and/or supervises the work of others. The Social Worker IV works under minimal supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

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, and actively involved persons and agencies to create and maintain the individual’s social history through determination of what is important to the individual; gathers background information needed to assess the individual’s support systems and identifies the individual’s psychosocial, economic, and physical needs, with updates as appropriate. Examples include: upon admission or return from an extended forensic commitment; prior to transition to a new living situation; upon a change in status; and in preparation for the individual recovery plan meeting.

• Oversees the communication and information exchange between the individual, legally authorized representative, actively involved persons and agencies, as needed, and facility or treatment providers to ensure ongoing care, treatment, and support to maintain open communication; provides required notification; participates in interdisciplinary team meetings as requested; obtains necessary consents; and accesses external resources as needed.

• Counsels and provides assistance to individuals, their legally authorized representative, 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.

• Assigns and oversees the work, time, and travel of Social Worker I, II, and III positions, and social work students including: interviewing and hiring to fill vacancies; training of new staff and current staff as needed; performing evaluations and counseling, as needed; and ensuring adherence to licensure requirements and social work best practices.

• Oversees and provides coordination of admissions, transfers, transitions, discharges, and furloughs as needed to ensure access to services through the use of person-centered practices. Examples include: overseeing and coordinating 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 including certified birth certificates, ISD records, and social security cards; coordinating with the receiving facility for individuals transferring within the State Hospital system to include transportation and the transfer of resident information, personal possessions, medication, etc.; providing education, consultation, and evaluating processes and procedures related to admissions, transfers, transitions, discharges, and furloughs.

• Designs and conducts 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. Oversees training and curriculum development designed to support individuals.

• Organizes and participates in individual and family meetings and internal/external work groups.

• 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.

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.

• Knowledge of facility and community resources, and the principles, methods, and theories used to practice as a social worker.

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

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

• Ability to supervise the work of others.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements, or Certifications:

• Must possess a valid Texas driver's license or obtain it no later than 90 days after hire date to drive a state vehicle. Applicants with an out-of-state driver's license must provide an original certified driving record from the state of Texas. Eligible driving record required based on HHSC Fleet Management policy. Must be able to drive state vehicles and golf carts.

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

Initial Screening Criteria:

• Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker, Licensed Master Social Worker, or Licensed Clinical Social Worker is required.

• Five (5) years’ experience including three (3) years' of which must be working directly with persons with mental, social, or substance use disorders.

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, and 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 Center for Youth applicants must be at least 21 years of age.

Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. 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. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare workers are considered to be at significant risk for acquiring or transmitting hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and influenza. All these diseases are vaccine preventable. As a result, state hospital policy requires employees be vaccinated according to their level of contact with individuals. In the event you choose to not be immunized for the influenza virus, you may be required to wear a mask and take other protective measures.

Waco Center for Youth is a psychiatric residential treatment facility that serves teenagers ages 13 through 17 with emotional difficulties and/or behavioral problems. Waco Center for Youth bases its treatment philosophy on the belief that both behavior change and an understanding of self and others are equally important in achieving significant long term success in treatment. The mission of Waco Center for Youth is “to give each youth a chance for change” by providing comprehensive psychiatric residential treatment services to emotionally disturbed adolescents of the state of Texas. The facility is operated by the Health and Human Services Commission and is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Facilities.

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Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions.

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 on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. 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:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form

Telework Disclaimer:

This position may be eligible for telework.  Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.