Texas Health and Human Services
Social Worker III / Social Svcs Specialist
Texas Health and Human Services, Kerrville, Texas, United States, 78028
Job Title:
Social Worker III Functional Title:
Social Worker III / Social Services Specialist Posting Number:
12570 Agency:
Health & Human Services Commission (HHSC) Department:
PsychSecurity Direct Care Location:
Kerrville State Hospital, 721 Thompson Dr, Kerrville, TX Date Posted:
Jan 7, 2026 Closing Date:
02/06/2026 Salary:
$5,746.66 - $7,253.83 per month Shift:
Day Travel:
Up to 10% Telework:
Not Eligible for Telework Regular/Temporary:
Regular Full Time/Part Time:
Full Time FLSA Status:
Exempt Nearest Major Market:
San Antonio Job Summary
The Social Worker III provides highly complex social services in a forensic mental health setting, serving as a liaison among patients, legally authorized representatives, and multidisciplinary teams to facilitate ongoing care, treatment, and support. This role involves advanced assessment, rights and capacity evaluation, training development, discharge coordination, and oversight of lower-level social workers and students. Responsibilities
Perform and document complex social services work, including liaising with patients, representatives, and agencies to maintain care continuity. Gather and assess information to identify support systems, service needs, and psychosocial, economic, and physical requirements. Conduct individual and group trainings on rights, decision-making, and self‑advocacy skills. Coordinate transitions, furloughs, transfers, and discharges, ensuring thorough communication with courts, local mental health authorities, and receiving facilities. Participate and facilitate interdisciplinary team meetings and discharge program meetings. Oversee work, time, and travel of Social Worker I and II positions and social work students, including hiring, training, and evaluation. Perform other duties as assigned, such as disaster response and continuity of operations activities. Essential Job Functions (EJFs)
Clock in on a regular basis, honoring required shift schedules, overtime, and rotating duties. Conduct interviews with individuals and representatives to develop comprehensive social histories and assess needs. Maintain open communication across agencies, healthcare providers, and treatment participants. Advise on community placement options, end‑of‑life planning, and rights within legal frameworks. Manage participation of subordinate staff and students in training, hiring, and supervision. Lead discharge planning activities, coordinating with courts, local authorities, and receiving facilities. Design and deliver training curricula on rights and decision-making. Facilitate internal and external work groups and discharge program meetings. Support disaster response or continuity of operations as required. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)
Human growth and development, behavioral and mental health, and developmental and emotional aspects of illness. Social work standards for case management and facility/community resources. State hospital discharge policies and procedures. Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners code of conduct and NASW code of ethics. Creative problem‑solving and collaborative teamwork. Effective written and verbal communication in individual and group settings. Interviewing, assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, case management, mediation, counseling, referral, problem solving, supervision, consultation, and advocacy. Supervision of other staff and financial accountability for assigned property. Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications
Maintain licensure in accordance with the Texas Board of Social Work Examiners. Initial Screening Criteria
Minimum licensed Bachelor’s degree in Social Work (LBSW) and two years of direct experience with mental, social, or substance use disorders. Or licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with one year of direct experience in the same population. Completion of the State Hospital internship program is required. Additional Information
Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre‑employment drug screen, and registry checks including CANRS, Nurse Aid, Medication Aide, Employee Misconduct, and LEIE. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age; Waco Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age. Flexibility for overtime and extended hours may be required. Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital immunization procedures is required. ADA Accommodations
HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodations during hiring and selection for qualified individuals with disabilities. Contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1‑888‑894‑4747 for assistance. Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility
Applicants may be required to pass additional background and due diligence checks. HHSC uses E‑Verify. Bring I‑9 documentation on your first day of work. Telework Disclaimer
This position may be eligible for telework. All HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the supervisor and business needs. Benefits
Full‑time employees receive 100% paid health insurance, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off, and comprehensive career advancement opportunities.
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Social Worker III Functional Title:
Social Worker III / Social Services Specialist Posting Number:
12570 Agency:
Health & Human Services Commission (HHSC) Department:
PsychSecurity Direct Care Location:
Kerrville State Hospital, 721 Thompson Dr, Kerrville, TX Date Posted:
Jan 7, 2026 Closing Date:
02/06/2026 Salary:
$5,746.66 - $7,253.83 per month Shift:
Day Travel:
Up to 10% Telework:
Not Eligible for Telework Regular/Temporary:
Regular Full Time/Part Time:
Full Time FLSA Status:
Exempt Nearest Major Market:
San Antonio Job Summary
The Social Worker III provides highly complex social services in a forensic mental health setting, serving as a liaison among patients, legally authorized representatives, and multidisciplinary teams to facilitate ongoing care, treatment, and support. This role involves advanced assessment, rights and capacity evaluation, training development, discharge coordination, and oversight of lower-level social workers and students. Responsibilities
Perform and document complex social services work, including liaising with patients, representatives, and agencies to maintain care continuity. Gather and assess information to identify support systems, service needs, and psychosocial, economic, and physical requirements. Conduct individual and group trainings on rights, decision-making, and self‑advocacy skills. Coordinate transitions, furloughs, transfers, and discharges, ensuring thorough communication with courts, local mental health authorities, and receiving facilities. Participate and facilitate interdisciplinary team meetings and discharge program meetings. Oversee work, time, and travel of Social Worker I and II positions and social work students, including hiring, training, and evaluation. Perform other duties as assigned, such as disaster response and continuity of operations activities. Essential Job Functions (EJFs)
Clock in on a regular basis, honoring required shift schedules, overtime, and rotating duties. Conduct interviews with individuals and representatives to develop comprehensive social histories and assess needs. Maintain open communication across agencies, healthcare providers, and treatment participants. Advise on community placement options, end‑of‑life planning, and rights within legal frameworks. Manage participation of subordinate staff and students in training, hiring, and supervision. Lead discharge planning activities, coordinating with courts, local authorities, and receiving facilities. Design and deliver training curricula on rights and decision-making. Facilitate internal and external work groups and discharge program meetings. Support disaster response or continuity of operations as required. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)
Human growth and development, behavioral and mental health, and developmental and emotional aspects of illness. Social work standards for case management and facility/community resources. State hospital discharge policies and procedures. Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners code of conduct and NASW code of ethics. Creative problem‑solving and collaborative teamwork. Effective written and verbal communication in individual and group settings. Interviewing, assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, case management, mediation, counseling, referral, problem solving, supervision, consultation, and advocacy. Supervision of other staff and financial accountability for assigned property. Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications
Maintain licensure in accordance with the Texas Board of Social Work Examiners. Initial Screening Criteria
Minimum licensed Bachelor’s degree in Social Work (LBSW) and two years of direct experience with mental, social, or substance use disorders. Or licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with one year of direct experience in the same population. Completion of the State Hospital internship program is required. Additional Information
Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre‑employment drug screen, and registry checks including CANRS, Nurse Aid, Medication Aide, Employee Misconduct, and LEIE. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age; Waco Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age. Flexibility for overtime and extended hours may be required. Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital immunization procedures is required. ADA Accommodations
HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodations during hiring and selection for qualified individuals with disabilities. Contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1‑888‑894‑4747 for assistance. Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility
Applicants may be required to pass additional background and due diligence checks. HHSC uses E‑Verify. Bring I‑9 documentation on your first day of work. Telework Disclaimer
This position may be eligible for telework. All HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the supervisor and business needs. Benefits
Full‑time employees receive 100% paid health insurance, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off, and comprehensive career advancement opportunities.
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