Adult Protection Specialist 1-3

State of Louisiana•Thibodaux, LA

About The Position

The Louisiana Department of Health is hiring an Adult Protection Specialist 1, 2, or 3 for the Office of Aging and Adult Services. The role may be located in Lafourche or Terrebonne Parish. Adult Protective Services investigators investigate allegations involving vulnerable adults, advocate for people at risk, and coordinate services to protect their safety and well-being. The selected candidate’s level in the job series will be determined by their qualifications, and the position offers the opportunity to advance within the series. This position may be filled as a temporary Job appointment lasting up to 48 months. It is eligible for premium pay of an additional $2.00 per hour for hours worked. No Civil Service test score is required. Applicants must provide relevant, detailed education and experience in the application; resumes are not accepted in place of completed education and experience sections.

Requirements

Four years of social services experience; or six years of full-time work experience plus one year of social services experience; or a bachelor’s degree plus one year of social services experience; or a master’s degree in social work, a social science, education, counseling, or vocational rehabilitation.
For the six-year full-time work experience requirement, every 30 semester hours from an accredited college or university counts as one year of experience in any field. Substitution is capped at 120 semester hours, or four years.
Applicants must include relevant, detailed education and experience in the application. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections.

Responsibilities

Conduct intake interviews, investigations, and assessments of allegations of abuse, neglect, self-neglect, exploitation, and extortion involving vulnerable adults.
Evaluate clients’ living environments, physical and mental capacity, personal circumstances, and risk factors to identify safety concerns and the need for crisis intervention.
Coordinate emergency interventions and protective services, including temporary shelter, medical or mental health evaluations, respite services, and removal of alleged perpetrators when necessary.
Develop, implement, and monitor individualized service plans with healthcare professionals, service providers, family members, and community agencies to reduce risks and address immediate and long-term needs.
Maintain confidential case files, document investigative findings, enter and update case information, and prepare reports supporting case management and program compliance.
Collaborate with law enforcement, district attorneys, courts, and legal professionals on appropriate legal actions; prepare affidavits and provide court testimony when required.
Participate in professional training, guide colleagues and community partners, and conduct educational presentations about adult abuse, neglect, exploitation, and Adult Protective Services procedures.