Dshs Altsa Adult Protective Services Investigator

DSHS Social Service Specialist 3

Join us today in Transforming Lives and be part of our hard-working team of professionals that provide social services to vulnerable adult populations.Adult Protective Servicesis seeking Social Service Investigators to join our growing team!

You will investigate reports of abandonment, abuse, exploitation, neglect, and self-neglect. Bring your professional knowledge and skills to advocate for vulnerable adults. Job success is measured by your ability to gather evidence, conduct objective, timely and thorough investigations to determine findings based on the preponderance of evidence standard. Most importantly, you are assisting individuals with services that maintain their safety and dignity.

Some of what you'll do:

• Interview clients in their home, residence, and facilities; investigating allegations of abuse, neglect, self-neglect, abandonment and exploitation

• Interview alleged perpetrators

• Collect and evaluate relevant information to make decisions related to investigations, services, and outcomes

• Provide client advocacy, consultation, networking, family support, and crisis intervention

• Coordinate with law enforcement, judicial entities, families, facilities, local office staff, other regional offices, community agencies and partners regarding needs of clients served

• Interview collateral contacts to gather additional information

• Identify situations presenting a risk to vulnerable adults and refer to service groups

• Refer to other community resources and internal and external stakeholders

• Prepare and provide testimony at administrative hearings, court proceedings, criminal, civil and administrative proceedings

• Participate in on-going training, meetings and provide community education on APS programs

What we're looking for:

• Experience performing investigations

• Organizational skills

• Knowledge of Medicaid terminology, regulations and policies

• Understanding of Long Term Care programs and policy

• Strong criticalthinkingskills

• Time management skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Ability to work autonomously making decisions, sometimes in immediate safety situations

• One year of paid experienceworking with vulnerable adults or children assessing risk and determining functioningcapabilities

Who should apply?

One year as a Social Service Specialist 2

OR

A Master's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal law/justice or an allied field and one year of paid social service experience equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2

OR

A Bachelor's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal law/justice or an allied field, and two years of paid social service experience performing functions equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2

NOTE: A two year Master's degree in one of the above fields that included a practicum will be substituted for one year

Question? Please contact sean.brauner@dshs.wa.gov and reference #03184

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security