Adult Protective Service Specialist

Initial Posting Date:

06/10/2024

Application Deadline:

06/24/2024

Agency:

Department of Human Services

Salary Range:

$4,536 - $6,952

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Adult Protective Service Specialist

Job Description:

Adult Protective Services Specialist / REQ-153197

Salary Range: $4536 - $6952

Medford (State Street office)

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are actively working to build an equitable agency with the Equity North Star as our guide toward our vision of an agency free of discrimination and bias. We believe that teams in which everyone can show up as their full authentic self are key to creating a thriving workforce that can better serve communities. We welcome members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQIA2S+ community members, and others to apply.

Do you want the opportunity to match the needs of people in the community with available federal, state and local programs or other resources to meet those needs? Do you want to be part of a diverse workforce that collaborates and learns from each other to improve services that supports the elderly, people with disabilities and communities? Then, we want to hear from you!

The salary listed is the non-PERS qualifying salary range. If the successful candidate is PERS qualifying, the salary range will reflect the additional 6.95%. Please review the Classification and Compensation page for more details, or you may visit our website for information on Pay Equity.

Aging and People with Disabilities (APD), part of the Oregon Department of Human Services, is seeking a dedicated and compassionate individual for multiple vacant Adult Protective Services Specialist positions.

Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), A place to belong and make a difference!

• When you join the ODHS, you join a community of over 10,000 employees dedicated to serving and helping Oregonians achieve wellbeing and independence through opportunities that protect, empower, respect choice, and preserve dignity.

• Connect with ODHS Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and find a place to belong, build community and participate in shared learning. ERGs are employee-driven committees that support each other as well as the ODHS' overall mission and vision.

• Enjoy a work-life balance, 11 paid holidays a year, flexible work schedules, and competitive benefits packages including health, dental, vision and much more!

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Click here to learn more about Aging and People with Disabilities.

YOUR DUTIES AT A GLANCE:

In this position, you will provide adult protective services to vulnerable adults who are elderly or disabled. The Adult Protective Services Specialist receives referrals, determines the need for and investigates alleged incidents of adult abuse or neglect. Situations may involve physical abuse, neglect, abandonment, sexual abuse, verbal and emotional abuse, financial exploitation, isolation, and self-neglect.

Major duties include:

Protective Services

• Investigation

• Investigate complaints of abuse or neglect. Plan the scope and direction of the investigation. Visit Oregonians in their home environment to monitor living and safety conditions. Interview the alleged victims, alleged perpetrators, and witnesses. Intervene in situations where adults are at high risk of abuse or neglect within their living situations; develop intervention plans to address the individual's needs; arrange for services to stabilize the individual's situation; monitor and adjust intervention plans; refer to community organizations for follow-up or other case managers for on-going case supervision. Review documents and records such as medical or financial records. Construct and organize evidence. Collect and analyze physical and documentary evidence. Apply administrative statutes, administrative rules, and facility regulations regarding abuse to investigative situations and determine a finding. Evaluate evidence and address issues that arise during the investigation. Determine relevance, reliability, and credibility of gathered information and evidence. Decide when appropriate to refer to law enforcement personnel.

• Determine need for and assist victims with obtaining restraining order to protect victims. Initiate and facilitate secure protective actions such as guardianships or conservatorships. Evaluate the victim's support systems, capacity to remain safe or make their own decisions take care of their own needs, or ability to protect her or his own interests. Develop and manage intervention plans that arrange for needed services, alternative living arrangements in the community-based care systems, or personal care. Monitor progress and well-being of individual under intervention plan supervision; refer cases to other agency case managers or community partners for on-going support and supervision.

• Coordinate actions with law enforcement, District Attorneys, or other community partners to arrange for victim's safety and security. Give consultative or expert opinions to prosecutors and judges on adult abuse or neglect. Provide investigative information on criminal cases when needed. Testify in court, before grand juries, trials, and hearings. Give sworn depositions.

• Write investigative reports that include summary of evidence and witness statements, conclusions, and recommended action in accordance with DHS rules and policies. Enter information into various databases and electronic systems.

• May maintain intervention plans for individuals not otherwise being case managed who are still at risk after crisis phase. Continue to monitor, reassess, and arrange intervention until level of harm is reduced or in accordance with policy timeline.

Protective Services

• Screening

• Screen reports of concern to determine eligibility for Adult Protective Services. This activity includes a determination of whether the reported concern meets the definition of abuse or neglect. After the screening and triage, conduct a preliminary assessment of the alleged victim's safety, possible risks to the investigator or other factors; determine need for emergency intervention.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Alternate work schedules and hybrid work options considered after trial service.

May be subjected to verbal abuse and assaultive threats made by angry and hostile individuals.

• Occasional subpoenas and court requirements can be required on short notice.

• Must be able to drive; meeting individuals in their own homes and other community settings such as nursing homes, hospitals, or other community care settings. Requires some out-of-town or overnight travel for training and outlying cases. May involve driving in inclement conditions.

• Potential exposure to illness and disease through direct contact with clients. May be exposed to unsanitary conditions.

• Adult Protective Service Specialist works independently in the field with minimal supervision.

• Expectations of meeting triage response times, determined by the nature and severity of risk to individuals and the immediacy of response required.

• Will work closely with individuals who may have difficulty receiving, processing, or verbalizing information necessary to make informed choices and decisions.

THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED TO QUALIFY/MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• A bachelor's degree in the human, social, behavioral or criminal sciences AND two years human service, law enforcement or investigative experience; OR

• An associate degree in the human, social, behavioral or criminal sciences AND four years human service, law enforcement or investigative experience; OR

• Three years professional level experience related to the position may substitute for the bachelor's degree; 18 months for an Associates.

ESSENTIAL ATTRIBUTES:

• Experience working with law enforcement and community partners.

• Experience interviewing clients or members of the public face to face in non-traditional, challenging settings.

• Experience interpreting and explaining decisions, laws, rules, policies and procedures.

• Technical knowledge and experience of investigative practices, which includes experience interviewing reported victims of abuse with trauma informed techniques as well as advocating for alleged victims.

• Experience writing documents or reports that include articulated observations, witness statements, a conclusion and recommended action (examples: case plans, court reports, investigative reports).

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS and REQUIREMENTS

• Clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications (MQ's) and essential attributes (EA's) within your application materials. These attributes will be used to determine which candidates will be selected to move forward in the process.

• Please upload a resume or complete the Workday history profile. Your work history profile and/or resume are the perfect opportunity to highlight your interest in the position and showcase your skills and experience that make you the best candidate for the position. Note: Your resume and cover letter may be uploaded in the Resume/CV field on the online application.

• Current State of Oregon employees: Apply via your employee Workday account.

• If you are not a current State of Oregon employee: view this application instructional video.

• After you submit your application, you will have additional tasks to complete in Workday. Please continue to check your Workday account throughout the recruitment process.

• Finalists for this position will be subject to a computerized criminal history and abuse check. Adverse background information will be reviewed and could result in withdrawal of a conditional job offer or termination of employment.

• The Oregon Department of Human Services does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. ODHS will use E-Verify to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.

• A valid driver's license and acceptable driving record may be required if driving is a duty of this position.

HELPFUL INFORMATION

• This position is represented by the Union (SEIU).

• This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies.

• Have questions about Workday, and want some tips on understanding the state application process? Check out our Oregon job opportunities page.

• If you need an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), have questions or need assistance with the application process, please contact ADA.DHS@dhsoha.state.or.us.

• For questions about the job duties or application process, please contact JENNIFER.M.MOISA@odhs.oregon.gov. Please be sure to include the job requisition number within the email.