DSHS HCLA Adult Protective Services Lead – Social Service Specialist 4

State of Washington • Thurston County – Lacey, WA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA), is seeking an Adult Protective Services (APS) Lead in Lacey, Washington. The role provides leadership, coaching, mentoring, and technical guidance to Social Service Specialist staff while also completing intakes and conducting advanced-level, specialized case management and complex investigations concerning vulnerable adults age 18 and older. Investigations may involve abandonment, abuse, neglect, financial or personal exploitation, and self-neglect.

The APS Lead supports staff development and consistent, high-quality intake and investigative practices. The role leads high-risk, life-threatening, high-profile, and otherwise complex cases; coordinates responses with internal and external partners; and provides supervisory coverage when the supervisor is absent. The position prepares investigative findings and reports, coordinates with legal counsel and other stakeholders, and may provide expert testimony at administrative hearings, depositions, and court proceedings.

The position uses a hybrid structure of telework and in-person work as business needs require. Employees must successfully complete the division-sponsored formal training course within one year of appointment. A background check may be conducted before hire. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license; employees using a privately owned vehicle on state business must carry liability insurance.

Requirements

• Meet one of the following education and experience combinations: one year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 3; three years of experience as a Social Service Specialist 2; a bachelor's degree or higher in social services, criminal law/justice, or an allied field and four years of experience as a Social Service Specialist 2; a master's degree in social services, criminal law/justice, or an allied field and two years of paid social service experience equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2; or an equivalent combination of education and experience totaling eight or more years.
• A two-year master's degree in a listed field that included a practicum may be substituted for one year of paid social service experience.
• Successfully complete the formal training course sponsored by the division within one year of appointment.
• Independently conduct complex investigations and assessments, evaluate allegations of abuse, neglect, exploitation, and self-neglect, and apply applicable RCW, WAC, and departmental policies.
• Exercise sound professional judgment, assess risk, make informed decisions, and develop appropriate interventions in high-risk, complex, and crisis situations.
• De-escalate conflict, manage hostile or volatile situations, maintain personal safety, and communicate effectively with individuals experiencing challenging circumstances.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, case consultation, and constructive feedback while supporting staff development, quality assurance, and consistent investigative practices.
• Demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills, including interviewing individuals with diverse backgrounds or communication needs, working with interpreters, resolving conflicts, and preparing professional reports and correspondence.
• Organize, prioritize, and manage complex caseloads and competing deadlines while adapting to emergencies, changing priorities, and unit coverage needs.
• Demonstrate proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and electronic case management systems, maintain accurate records, analyze case information, and learn agency databases and software applications.
• Have a valid driver's license when driving on state business; carry liability insurance when using a privately owned vehicle on state business.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, coaching, mentoring, and technical guidance to Social Service Specialists conducting APS intakes and investigations.
• Facilitate staff development through classroom instruction, on-the-job training, case consultation, and support for employees transitioning from formal training to independent intake and fieldwork.
• Coordinate unit workflow by assigning and auditing work, triaging intakes, reviewing case actions for accuracy, identifying training needs, and providing constructive feedback in collaboration with the supervisor.
• Conduct advanced-level intakes and complex investigations involving allegations of abandonment, abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, and self-neglect of vulnerable adults.
• Lead investigations involving high-risk, life-threatening, publicly scrutinized, or otherwise complex cases, including conducting interviews and coordinating responses with internal and external partners.
• Provide supervisory coverage in the supervisor's absence, including attending and facilitating meetings, providing case consultation, interpreting policies and procedures, and supporting unit operations.
• Prepare investigative findings, reports, and documentation; coordinate with legal counsel and other stakeholders; and provide expert testimony at administrative hearings, depositions, and court proceedings.

What This Job Offers

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