Social Worker

DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas. If you are looking to make an impact and tackle new challenges, we encourage you to consider a career with us.

Employee Benefits:

DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS). To learn more about all the benefits available to you as a DSHS employee and other DSHS opportunities for early career pathways, visit the DSHS Careers Page.

Review our Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to State of Texas Jobs.

Brief job description:

Under the supervision of the Program Supervisor IV, performs complex social services work. Provides advanced and comprehensive case management consultation for families with children who have health risks, conditions or special health care needs. Oversees case management services for families in the Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN), Community First Choice (CFC), Newborn Screening (NBS), Personal Care Services (PCS), and Case Management for Children and Pregnant Women programs. Travels to conduct home visits, completes intakes, Family Needs Assessments, Service Plans, and Follow-up Services to families on caseload and to determine eligibility and need for PCS/CFC. Links families to community resources. Conducts presentations and communicates program services and/or changes in a positive and accurate manner.  Works as a team member. Actively participates and advocates in Community Resource Coordination Groups (CRCG), case management coalitions, and community organizations. Provides information and referral services. Completes administrative duties, monthly reports, special assignments and work activities in a professional and timely manner. Works collaboratively with public health staff in the event of a regional or state disaster. Works under minimum supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Will have immunizations current that are necessary to maintain immunity or show immunity to specific diseases. Staff required on an as-needed basis to assist with a response and/or recovery effort because of their subject matter expertise and/or experience. Must be able to independently travel throughout the State of Texas and out-of-state to complete essential job functions.

Essential job functions:

EJF I: Case Management Functions Provides complex and specialized social work consultation and comprehensive case management services to families who receive services or are seeking services from the CSHCN, NBS, PCS, CFC, Case Management for Children and Pregnant Women programs and Public Health cases. Conducts home visits for comprehensive assessment of home environment and needs.  Assists families with the eligibility determination process for CSHCN. Provides information and referral services, linkage to community resources, family supports, advocacy, and service coordination. Maintains documentation of work activities, case summaries and correspondence. Utilizes software programs to do database entry, word processing, spreadsheets, electronic mail, and Internet.  Conducts comprehensive assessments to determine eligibility and need for PCS, CFC, and case management.

EJF II: Technical Assistance/Quality Assurance/Trainings - Provides consultation, presentations, and training to agencies for programs such as CSHCN, CFC, PCS, Case Management for Children and Pregnant Women. Assists in training new staff, volunteers and social work interns. Provides program presentations to public to promote awareness of services available to children with health risks, conditions or special health care needs. Participates as a team member with peer chart reviews for regional internal quality assurance.  Attends program meetings as requested.  

EJF III: Community Organization/Resource Development - Actively participates in community organization functions and collaborates with other community entities on health, social work, case management and other related issues. Serves as the representative for the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) on the CRCG, coalitions, inter agency groups and advocacy groups to collaborate efforts in serving children with special health care needs. Assists with the maintenance of the social service directory of community resources.

EJF IV: Reporting- Responsible for reporting all SH&SS activities to meet regional program goals and objectives and reporting to Program Supervisor and/or QA Specialist. Ensures that all case related and community activities are properly documented in the appropriate database as determined by central office or regional needs. Maintain and document all work events within the proper time frames.

EJF V: Other duties
Responds to public health emergencies, including, but not limited to, disease outbreaks, biological, environmental and weather emergencies.  Participates as requested in the event of a disaster response and/or recovery effort or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation.  Completes required training necessary to fulfill the duties of the role.  Complies with DSHS immunization policy. Maintains an acceptable driving record that meets the standards developed by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and safely operates either a state-owned, personal or rental vehicle to conduct state business.  Maintains a valid Class C Texas driver license or equivalent from another state.  Performs other duties as assigned. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of Case Management principles and practices.
Knowledge of children’s programs, such as Medicaid, CSHCN, Case Management for Children & Pregnant Women, CPS/Foster Care, SSI, NBS, NBHS, Lead, Early Childhood Intervention (ECI), and CHIP.
Knowledge of quality assurance and technical assistance policies and procedures. 
Knowledge of community resources on a local, state and national level. 
Knowledge of the cultural and socioeconomic issues related to health and disabilities. 

Skill in using computer software programs in word processing, spreadsheets, databases, electronic mail and Internet, specifically MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access and Outlook. 
Skill in compiling monthly reports, travel reports, and time activity reports. 
Skill in conducting in-home family needs assessments and developing service plans. 
Skill in providing presentations and trainings. 
Skill in conflict resolution, mediation, and problem solving.

Ability to work effectively as a team member in an interdisciplinary setting. 
Ability to interpret and apply program policies and procedures. 
Ability to provide professional leadership. 
Ability to maintain confidentiality. 

Ability to plan work in an orderly manner to manage caseloads and meet deadlines. 
Ability to provide training and technical assistance to professionals. 
Ability to speak and write effectively and to address audiences in a professional manner. 
Ability to provide own transportation to conduct work duties. 
Ability to work under minimum supervision with considerable latitude for initiative and independent judgment. 
Ability to follow DSHS Policies and Procedures and adhere to the DSHS Standards of Conduct and Work Rules.

Licensure, Certification or Registration (Required):

Must have a current Social Work License in the State of Texas.   

Must possess a valid Class C Texas Driver's License, or equivalent license from another state. 

Initial Criteria:

Experience in Case Management principles and practices - 2 year preferred.

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 for this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), DSHS will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring process for individuals with a qualifying disability. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the interview process, please notify the person who contacts you to schedule the interview. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747 or via email at HHSServiceCenter.Applications@ngahrhosting.com.

Salary Information, Pre-employment Checks, and Work Eligibility:

• The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds.
• Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.
• DSHS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.  Download the I-9 form