Social Services Manager - Social Work

Social Services Manager - Social Work

Salary

$67,727.28 - $76,435.08 Annually

Location

5325 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX

Job Type

Full Time

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

27-10979

Department

Health & Human Services

Opening Date

10/20/2026

Closing Date

11/10/2026 11:59 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Summary

Travis County Health and Human Services (HHS) serves the community under the guidance of the Commissioners Court. We address community needs through internal and external investments and services. We strive to maximize quality of life for all people in Travis County by protecting vulnerable populations, investing in social and economic well-being, building a shared understanding of our community, and promoting healthy physical, behavioral and environmental living.

The Social Services Manager, under the Social Work team, manages the day-to-day and overall operations of a social services department, work unit or program composed of multiple operational components and related staff. Performs managerial, consultative, technical and administrative work in the planning, developing, overseeing implementation of and evaluating departmental goals and objectives. If position is assigned to the Juvenile Probation Department, may provide direct supervision of youth in secure facilities.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is a job classification within the Social Services job family and is responsible for managing the operations of a social services department, work unit or program composed of multiple operational components and related staff. This classification is distinguished from the Social Services Program Administrator which directs and manages a large department or broad-based series of multiple funded programs with broad scope of responsibility, complex budget and large staff. If position is assigned to the Juvenile Probation Department, this classification may require work in secure facilities, and may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Directs and manages the planning and operations of a social services department, work unit or program. Oversees subordinate managers and staff, including hiring, training, performance evaluation and disciplinary actions, ensuring activities are consistent with policies, procedures, laws, regulations, goals and objectives.
• Plans, develops and establishes goals and objectives. Participates in, or develops strategic plans to accomplish the goals and objectives.
• Manages service delivery and program operations for assigned area. Organizes operations and procedures. Sets priorities, monitors activities and assignments and resolves problems.
• Provides technical advice, policy interpretation and guidance for application of appropriate procedures to staff.
• Evaluates program effectiveness to develop improved methods. Devises evaluation methodology and manages implementation. Analyzes results and recommends or takes appropriate action.
• Develops, oversees and evaluates new and existing services and initiatives for implementation.
• Assists in, or develops budget for area of assignment. Administers budget and approves or recommends expenditures within established budget. May prepare proposals for funding or funding continuation.
• Serves as liaison and collaborates with governmental and public agency representatives, community outreach and advocacy groups, service providers and others. Plans, develops and manages a variety of community development and community organizing activities. Identifies and resolves service gaps and barriers, stimulates interest in departmental programs and services.
• Develops and participates in education and training for clients and community. Makes presentations related to departmental programs and services.
• Prepares periodic reports, financial analysis and statistical reports on program activities and program progress.
• If position assigned to Juvenile Probation Department, may provide direct supervision of all clients' daily activities when working in secure facilities, including maintaining accountability of all clients and equipment and ensuring that the environment is safe, clean and secure; ensures that clients are aware of and understand their responsibilities and appropriate behavior. Implements corrective discipline plans and programs, as required; facilitates cognitive skill groups and relaxation training for clients; provides individual and crisis intervention counseling, as required; documents clients' behavior and enters into department computer information system; monitors security and fire alarm systems, including closed circuit monitors; maintains communication with facility posts; maintains communication with other staff to ensure continuity of care; physically restrains aggressive clients using approved protocols, as required; may assist in investigating incidents involving clients.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree in Social or Behavioral Sciences or a directly related field AND five (5) years increasingly responsible experience in social services, including one (1) year of supervisory or management experience;

OR,

Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:

Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC); OR,

Qualified Credentialed Counselor (QCC).

Licensed Social Worker (LSW); OR,

Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW).

If position assigned to Juvenile Probation Department, certification as a Juvenile Probation Officer and Juvenile Supervision Officer or eligible for certification by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department within six (6) months of employment, including successful completion of Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Certification, First Aid and Handle with Care (state approved physical restraint technique).

Valid Texas Driver's License.

Preferred:

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).

Master's degree in Social or Behavioral Sciences or a directly related field.

Knowledge of:

• Management and supervisory principles, practices and techniques.
• Policies, practices and procedures within area of assignment.
• Federal, State and Local program laws and requirements.
• Advocacy groups, social service providers and community outreach organizations.
• Budgetary practices and techniques.
• Modern office practices, procedures and methods.
• Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.
• Business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.
• May be required to develop knowledge of and adhere to federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information.

Skill in:

• Planning, development, monitoring and evaluation of social service programs and services.
• Supervising others, allocating resources and evaluating programs.
• Leadership and community collaboration.
• Problem-solving and decision-making.
• Operating a variety of modern office equipment, including a computer.
• Both verbal and written communication, including presentations.

Ability to:

• Motivate, train, supervise and develop and evaluate staff.
• Serve as technical consultant and liaison.
• Create and recommend department and program initiatives.
• Prepare administrative and statistical reports.
• Communicate effectively.
• Work independently.
• Manage time well, perform multiple tasks, and organize diverse activities.
• Deal effectively with mentally ill or emotionally distressed individuals undergoing acute episodes, who may also be hostile and aggressive.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies, other County employees and officials, and the general public.

Work Environment & Other Information

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 25 pounds (50-100 pounds if assigned to Juvenile Probation Department) occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, repetitive motion, driving, client/customer contact, and squatting to perform the essential functions.

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

Work Hours: 8 am - 5 pm, Monday-Friday.

Location: 5325 Airport Blvd., Austin, TX

Department: Health and Human Services

Criminal, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required.

For updates or questions on this position, contact: Brian.Stacy@traviscountytx.gov

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.

Benefits

Employment at Travis County comes with a full array of benefits. We offer comprehensive health insurance, a no-cost, on-site Health and Wellness clinic, longevity pay, paid vacations, sick time and personal holidays, not to mention an industry competitive salary structure and a friendly, stable work environment.

FY2027 Travis County Benefit Guide

In this valuable Travis County Benefits Guide you will find benefit summaries, eligibility requirements, costs, contact numbers and addresses as well as other general information on the benefits available to Travis County Employees and Retirees.

Credit Union

Employees may join the Travis County Credit Union which offers low-interest loans, savings plans through payroll deduction, safe deposit boxes and other benefits.

Deferred Compensation

Employees may enroll in a tax- free sheltered investment plan through payroll deduction.

Direct Deposit

Employees may sign up for direct bank deposit.

Employee Assistance Program

Travis County provides a confidential counseling and referral service free of charge to county employees and their family.

Employee Organizations

Membership in the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Union is available through payroll deduction.

Employee Health & Wellness Clinic

Employees may access the clinic for a variety of wellness program and health care services with no co-pay, no deductible and no co-insurance costs.

Holidays

An average of eleven paid holidays are designated by the Travis County Commissioners Court at the beginning of each fiscal year.

Insurance

Employees may select from four plans: an Exclusive Physician Organization (EPO), Choice Plus Preferred Physician Organization (PPO), Consumer Choice or a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA). All four options include a Pharmacy Plan. Travis County's current policy is to pay 100% of the employee's health insurance premium for the Consumer Choice and HDHP. Employees will pay a premium for both the EPO and PPO. Other insurance benefits include $50,000 Basic Life and AD&D paid by the County.

The following benefits are employee paid:

• Dental
• Vision
• Supplemental Life, AD&D
• Dependent Life
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability
• Long Term Care

New employees are covered on the first day of the month following 28 calendar days of employment.

Longevity

Longevity pay is paid for each year completed after three years of continuous service. Peace Officers in a law enforcement activity, whose job requires state peace officer certification, receive pay after one year of certification.

On the regular payday on or after the employees fourth and subsequent adjusted service dates, he or she receives a single payment for the previous year.

Parking

A limited number of assigned parking spaces are available to employees in the Courthouse Complex.

Personal Holidays

Regular, full-time employees are eligible for up to three paid personal holidays each calendar year. Part-time employees shall be granted personal holidays on a prorated basis. New employees earn personal holidays for the calendar year in which he/she begins employment, based on the month in which employment begins:

January - March

3 personal holidays

April - June

2 personal holidays

July - September

1 personal holiday

October - December

None

New employees are eligible to take personal holidays after 90 days of employment.

Retirement

Travis County is a member of the Texas County & District Retirement System with mandatory participation by certain classes of employees. Seven percent (7%) of the gross salary is deducted each pay period. An employee is fully vested after eight years of service. Benefits are prorated for part-time employees.

Sick Leave

Regular employees earn sick leave at a rate of eight hours per month with unlimited accrual during employment. Part-time employees earn sick leave on a pro-rated basis.

Parental Leave

Each Full-time Paid Parental Leave Eligible (PPL) Employee is entitled to a total of 320 hours of Paid Parental Leave in a 12 month period. Paid Parental Leave for Part-time PPL Eligible Employees is prorated based on the number of hours that they are regularly scheduled to work.

Tuition Refund

Certain classes of full-time employees may receive reimbursement for fees associated with pre-approved, job related course work completed satisfactorily.

Vacation

Based on years of county service, regular, full-time employees earn vacation time at the following rates:

0 to 5 years

4.0 hours per pay period

6 to 10 years

4.5 hours per pay period

11 to 15 years

5.0 hours per pay period

16 to 20 years

5.5 hours per pay period

21 plus years

6.0 hours per pay period

Part-time employees earn vacation leave on a pro-rated basis.

Workers Compensation

The county provides all employees workers compensation coverage with benefits in accordance with state statute, if the employee sustains an injury out of, or in the course of work.

01

Do you have a Master's degree in Social Work?

• Yes
• No

02

How many years of social work experience do you have?

• Less than 1 year
• 2 to 3 years
• 4 to 5 years
• More than 5 years

03

Are you a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Texas?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Travis County

Address 700 Lavaca Street

Austin, Texas, 78701

Website https://www.traviscountytx.gov/human-resources/jobs