Social Worker III / Discharge Planning Specialist

Texas Health and Human Services; Waco (TX); Hybrid; USD 64,000 - 81,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance for employee

Defined benefit pension

Generous time off

Career advancement opportunities

Job summary

Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is seeking a Social Worker III at the Waco Center for Youth to lead discharge planning and complex social services for youth. You will work with patients, families, and care teams to ensure smooth transitions, rights advocacy, and community placement planning.

The role emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, licensed social work practice, and adherence to state policies.

Qualifications

• LBSW or higher is required.
• Six months of experience with mental, social, or substance use disorders.

Responsibilities

• Attend regular and rotating shifts as required.
• Interview and assess individuals and families to determine psychosocial needs.
• Coordinate transfers, furloughs, transitions, and discharges with care teams.
• Design and conduct trainings to promote rights, decision-making, and patient transition.
• Participate in discharge program meetings and work groups.
• Assist with disaster response and COOP activation as needed.

Skills

Interviewing

Counseling

Assessment

Discharge planning

Education

State of Texas Social Worker License

Driver license

Job description

Date: Oct 27, 2026

Location:

WACO, 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 III / Discharge Planning Specialist Job Title: Social Worker III Agency: Health & Human Services Comm Department: Chld /orAdolPsych Social Svs Posting Number: 22628 Closing Date: 11/10/2026 Posting Audience: Internal and External Occupational Category: Community and Social Services Salary Range: $5,746.66 - $7,253.83 Pay Frequency: Monthly Salary Group: TEXAS-B-21 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:

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 ten 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 III performs and documents highly complex social services work, including serving as a liaison between the patient, legally authorized representative, and others to ensure ongoing care, treatment, and support through the use of person-centered practices. This position gathers information to assess the individual's support systems and service needs, including participation in interdisciplinary team meetings, as needed. This position may also engage in the assessment of individual’s rights and capacity to make decisions. This position designs and provides individual and group trainings to promote the exercise of rights and patient transition to include curriculum, materials, and case-specific information. This position assists with the coordination of furloughs, transfers, transitions, and discharges, as needed. This position will focus on complex cases and concentrates on post-discharge placement and support. The Social Worker III works under limited 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 serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor. 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, 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, 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, and actively involved persons regarding community placement issues, living options discussions, end-of-life planning, and rights in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations and state and state hospital policies.
• 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 engages in the utilization of existing resources as well as in the identification of potential service gaps.
• 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 and training of new staff and current staff as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor. 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 human growth and development; behavioral and mental health; 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 and ability to assign and supervise the work of others.
• Ability to be accountable for assigned property with limited financial responsibilities.
• Ability to be creative and work collaboratively with others on behalf of patients discharging from State Hospitals.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, in both individual and group settings.
• 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 Hospital policies and procedures.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements, Or Certifications

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

Initial Screening Criteria

• LBSW or higher is required.
• Six (6) months' experience working directly with people 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 and Terrell 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.

Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.

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.

Nearest Major Market: Waco