Under the supervision of the SHSS program supervisor, performs complex and comprehensive public health social work and case management (CM) services for children with special health care needs and their families, high-risk pregnant women, and the general public. Basic CM duties for all program areas include: conducting home/community visits to comprehensively assess client/family’s unmet social needs; completing intake, Family Needs Assessment (FNA), individualized service plan, and other relevant assessment forms; collaborating with medical providers, community partners, and other state agencies to address needs; monitoring and following up on cases to confirm progress; and maintaining current and accurate documentation of all contacts/case activities in case files and designated databases according to program policies/applicable state and federal laws. Educates the public and providers about program services. Assists supervisor with staff recruitment and development by: monitoring team workloads and assignments; participating in the hiring process; overseeing the quality assurance (QA) review process; addressing team education/training needs; participating in special workgroups; and coordinating program activities and resources for assigned team. May supervise interns. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Must be able to independently travel throughout the State of Texas and out of state to complete essential job functions. Performs other duties as assigned. Member of the Incident Command Structure (ICS) in response to public health emergencies. Must comply with HHS, DSHS, and Texas Department of Public Safety applicable policies/procedures/standards.

Essential Job Functions:
In addition to performing basic CM duties, performs the following program area-specific CM duties:
Children and Pregnant Women: assists clients/families with accessing necessary resources and community services and supports; attends Admission, Review, and Dismissal meetings to address unmet educational needs (10%). Personal Care Services [PCS]/Community First Choice [CFC]: conducts functional needs assessments for PCS/CFC programs; educates clients regarding benefits and limitations of PCS/CFC; completes designated forms; (10%). Children with Special Health Care Needs Services Program (CSHCN-SP): assists eligible clients/families with locating or recruiting CSHCN-SP providers; locates alternate healthcare resources for waitlisted CSHCN-SP clients/families; facilitates completion of CSHCN-SP and/or emergency Medicaid applications to secure benefits (10%). Birth Defects Epidemiology and Surveillance pilot project: completes BDES evaluation form with clients/families; enters data into appropriate database within designated timeframes (5%). Newborn Screening: educates clients regarding abnormal newborn screening results to facilitate understanding and appropriate medical intervention (5%). Other case management duties as assigned (5%).
Assists with staff recruitment and development activities for Social Worker II (SWII) positions. Monitors SWII workloads and service area assignments and provides feedback to supervisor to support program staffing needs. Participates in interviews for vacant SWII positions and makes selection recommendations to supervisor. Participates in special regional/centrally-managed workgroups/activities reserved for senior-level staff. Oversees QA review process and conducts comprehensive QA reviews of case records using standard forms then shares findings with SWII and supervisor to ensure timely and accurate application of policies/procedures/social work best practices. Orients SWIIs to new or changing policies/procedures and clarifies existing ones. Identifies unmet training needs and coordinates and/or conducts supervisor-approved training sessions with SWIIs. Assists SWIIs with obtaining resources to enhance their work performance. Regularly travels to field offices to fulfill work duties. Must be able to independently travel throughout the State of Texas and out of state to complete essential job functions. (40%)
Attends trainings relevant to licensure requirement and continued development of professional social work knowledge/skills. Conducts presentations and attends community events to educate the public about available services. Provides training, consultation, and technical assistance to program contractors and providers. Actively collaborates with community partners to improve health and well-being of the community. Represents DSHS at Community Resources Coordination Group (CRCG), coalitions, or other relevant community meetings to address community service needs. Serves as regional expert on program services. May supervise interns. Participates in the performance evaluation process. (10%)
Performs other duties as assigned. Attends trainings relevant to licensure requirement and continued development of professional social work knowledge and skills. Participates in the performance evaluation process. Duties include, but are not limited to, being required to work other than normal business hours in order to respond to public health emergencies and actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response/recovery/Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation-requires completion of at least IS 100, 200, 700 and 800, Mental Health First Aid Certification, and CPR and First Aid Certification and may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. Maintains compliance with DSHS Policy, Fleet Operations and Management & Procedures and Standards, and a current valid Texas Driver's License. Maintains compliance with DSHS Immunization Policy: required serologic evidence of immunity to, or documented evidence of vaccination against measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox), Tdap, and annual vaccination against influenza (and hepatitis B if applicable). Participates in regional assignments/duties/special initiatives. (5%)

Knowledge Skills Abilities:
Knowledge of: social work and case management principles and best practices; children’s programs such as Medicaid, CSHCN, CPW, CPS/Foster Care, SSI, NBS, NBHS, Lead, Early Childhood Intervention (ECI), and CHIP; quality assurance and technical assistance policies and procedures; community resources on a local, state and national level; cultural and socioeconomic issues related to health and disabilities.

Skill in: use of electronic mail, internet, databases, and Microsoft Office products; conducting telephonic and in-home intake and family needs assessments; developing service plans; conflict resolution, mediation, and problem solving; planning, prioritizing, and organizing workload; providing training and technical assistance to professionals; effective decision making.

Ability to: communicate effectively, verbally and in writing; thoroughly assess, analyze, summarize, and evaluate clients’ complex educational, biological, psychological, and social needs; establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of staff in an interdisciplinary setting; interpret and apply program policies and procedures; submit timely work activity, travel, and time reports; maintain confidentiality; plan and manage multiple workloads and assignments to meet deadlines; follow DSHS and HHS Policies and Procedures; adhere to HHS Work Rules and the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics; to independently travel throughout the State of Texas and out of state to complete essential job functions; provide own transportation to perform work duties.

Registration or Licensure Requirements:
(1) Current, unrestricted social work license issued by the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners

(2) Valid Class C Texas Driver's License

Initial Selection Criteria:
(1) Ability to meet minimum required percent of travel
(2) Experience providing medical social services to children, adults, and/or families with special health care needs (preferred)
(3) Experience training others and/or leading teams within the past two years (preferred)

Additional Information:
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application but may be provided as supplemental materials. All fields on the application must be filled-in completely. Applicants must provide information relevant to the required experience for this position in the job history sections of the application and must clearly state how applicant meets initial selection criteria in the summary of experience section of the application.


Selection and ongoing employment is contingent upon adherence to DSHS Immunization Policy. You must provide evidence of immunity to or documented evidence of vaccination against measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox), Tdap, Hepatitis B, influenza and rabies.

This position requires travel within all 49 counties covered by PHR 2/3. Employee must provide transportation for home visits, field office visits, and attendance at community meetings. The employee must possess a current valid Texas Driver License for the appropriate type vehicle. Safe operation of either a state-owned vehicle or personal vehicle is required to conduct state business and an acceptable driving record must be maintained in accordance with Fleet Operations and Management & Procedures and Standards.

This position may require working hours other than 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m, Monday through Friday to respond to regional public health emergencies such as disease outbreaks, biological, environmental, and weather emergencies. This may include (but is not limited to): prevention, surveillance, and control and may involve on-call 24-hour work for emergency situations.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS 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.

Note: Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to: 68X, 73A, HM, 230X, 0149, 5832, 4C0X1, 42SX. All active duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_SocialServices.pdf.

MOS Code:
68X, 73A, HM, 230X, 0149, 5832, 4C0X1, 42SX

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HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS 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.