DSHS HCLA Adult Protective Services Investigator

State of Washington • Multiple Locations - Western Washington, WA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Adult Protective Service Investigators (Social Service Specialist 3) Adult Protective Services (APS) is excited to offer multiple opportunities for experienced social service investigators to join our Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA) team as APS Investigators at either our Mt. Vernon or Smokey Point/Arlington offices. In this role, you will independently investigate reports of abandonment, abuse, exploitation, neglect, and self-neglect affecting adults who require protective services, including people with developmental disabilities. Your work is essential in safeguarding others, ensuring their well-being, and connecting them with supportive resources that uphold their dignity and independence. Success in this job relies on your ability to gather evidence, conduct thorough investigations, and collaborate effectively with individuals, families, and community partners. Opportunities in this job classification that perform unannounced visits in unregulated environments, such as private residences, to conduct investigations for allegations of abuse, or neglect of vulnerable adults, are entitled to a 10% increase in addition to the advertised salary. This is a dynamic, field-based social service role that involves traveling within local communities to provide support and assistance. Daily travel is required. Snohomish employees are eligible to receive a free ORCA card for transportation use.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal law/justice, education, healthcare, or another allied field.
• Two years of paid relevant work experience in social services, healthcare, education, criminal justice, or allied fields.
• Equivalent combination of education and/or work experience in social service allied fields totaling six years will substitute in lieu of degree requirement.
• A master’s practicum work will be substituted for one year of paid social service experience.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Experience using Microsoft Office, data-entry, and documentation skills.
• Apply empathy and adaptability to resolve tense situations effectively while maintaining focus and reducing risks.
• Proficient in Medicaid terminology, regulations, and policies.
• Highly adaptable to evolving policies and directions.
• Exceptional critical thinking, time management, and focus.
• Capable of autonomous decision-making in critical or immediate safety situations, developing effective solutions.
• Experience assessing risk and safety to vulnerable adults or children is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Make observations and conduct face-to-face interviews with alleged victims, alleged perpetrators, and other collateral contacts; travel within communities to conduct investigations.
• Collect and evaluate relevant information to make decisions related to the investigation, services, and outcomes.
• Document all pertinent activity for each investigation and record this electronically using computer application systems.
• Collaborate with law enforcement, judicial entities, families, facilities, local office staff, other regional offices, and community agencies/partners regarding client needs.
• Identify and refer at-risk and vulnerable adults to appropriate service groups.
• Provide client advocacy, consultation, networking, family support, and crisis intervention.
• Prepare and provide testimony at administrative hearings, court proceedings, and at criminal, civil, and administrative proceedings.

Benefits

• 10% increase in addition to the advertised salary for performing unannounced visits in unregulated environments.
• Eligible to receive a free ORCA card for transportation use.

What This Job Offers

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