Adult Protective Services Caseworker

State of Maine • Augusta, ME

1d • $26 - $35 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is seeking an Adult Protective Caseworker. This role involves performing professional social work for incapacitated and dependent adults, including investigations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation, guardianship studies, and assessing decision-making capacity. The position requires assessing the need for public guardianship, completing petitions, and testifying in court. Caseworkers will investigate allegations, identify and arrange for support services, and manage a workload that includes timely APS investigations, interviewing clients and collateral contacts, requesting and reviewing records, documenting all activities in case notes, advocating for and coordinating services, maintaining accurate case records, and exercising discretion in decision-making.

Requirements

• Bachelors Degree from an accredited educational institution in Social Work/Social Welfare; OR a Bachelors Degree in a related social service/social welfare/social work area which includes at least 12 courses in behavioral science, social science, or social work.
• Must have or be eligible for conditional or full licensure as a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) as issued by the Maine State Board of Social Worker Licensure.
• At least 1 year of experience working with incapacitated and dependent adults.
• Applicants must have or be eligible for conditional or full licensure at the Licensed Social Worker (LSW) level as issued by the Maine State Board of Social Worker Licensure.
• An LSW requires an earned BA/BS in social work/social welfare.
• An LSW-Conditional requires an earned BA/BS in a field related to social work/social welfare.
• Possession of a valid Class C Maine Motor Vehicle Operator's License.

Nice To Haves

• A relevant Masters degree may qualify for an additional $1.00/hour stipend.

Responsibilities

• Perform professional social work for incapacitated and dependent adults, including Adult Protective Services Investigations of abuse, neglect and exploitation, guardianship studies and assessing for capacity to make decisions.
• Assess the need for public guardianship. Complete and file petitions and testify in Court as necessary.
• Investigate allegations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of incapacitated and dependent adults, Identify and arrange for support services.
• Performing the APS investigations process in a timely manner, which includes interviewing clients, alleged perpetrators, and collateral contacts and requesting and reviewing records as necessary.
• Documenting all investigation activities in the form of case notes.
• Advocating for and coordinating provision of services.
• Maintaining accurate case records of activities; writing summaries, reports, letters, and memos.
• Exercising discretion in decision making in carrying out investigation activities.

Benefits

• 13 paid holidays
• 12 days of sick leave
• 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually
• Health Insurance Coverage (State pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums)
• Health Insurance Premium Credit (Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%)
• Dental Insurance (State pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums)
• Retirement Plan (State contributes 14.11% to MainePERS)
• Six weeks of fully paid parental leave for all employees welcoming a child
• Additional, unpaid leave may also be available under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level