Adult Protective Worker

State of Iowa • State of Iowa - See Job Description, IA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

This Adult Protective Worker will conduct assessments of allegations of abuse or neglect of dependent adults in Adair County, Dallas County, Madison County, and Polk County. Daily travel to these counties will be expected in this role. This may change due to caseloads or staffing assignments. This vital frontline position requires multi-tasking and the ability to gather physical and documentary evidence and analyze information with accuracy and efficiency to assist in protecting the most vulnerable Iowans. This is a full-time opportunity, Monday – Friday with typical hours being from 8:00 AM- 4:30 PM with overtime as needed. This position may work from the nearest HHS full-time office within the service region or from their home and will travel on a regular basis to conduct assessments of allegations within the counties mentioned below. The need for supporting other counties in the area may arise. Mileage is paid at $0.50/mile travelled according to the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) State Accounting Enterprise Procedures. Compensation is commensurate with experience and education.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree and the equivalent of three years of full-time experience in a social work capacity in a public or private agency; OR graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in social work and the equivalent of two years of full-time experience in a social work capacity in a public or private agency; OR a Master's degree in social work from an accredited college or university; OR an equivalent combination of graduate education in the social or behavioral sciences from an accredited college or university and qualifying experience up to a maximum of thirty semester hours for one year of the required experience; OR employees with current continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes the equivalent of one year of full-time experience as a Social Worker 2 shall be considered as qualified.
• Strong observational and analytical skills
• Ability to respectfully engage families as partners in planning for safety and establish a working relationship with families.
• Excellent judgment and communication skills
• Ability to provide good written documentation in a timely manner.
• Ability to develop case plans, use critical thinking skills, prioritize work and work under pressure.
• Ability to use independent judgement to make sound decisions, demonstrate integrity and confidentiality and a strong work ethic.
• Applicants will be required to complete a background check to be considered for this position.

Nice To Haves

• Applicants possessing a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major or at least 30 semester hours or its equivalent in the behavioral sciences, education, health care, human services administration, or social sciences and the equivalent of 12 months of full-time experience in the delivery of human services in the combination of: chronic mental illness, developmental disabilities, and intellectual disabilities as a Targeted (Medicaid) Case Manager; OR an Iowa license to practice as a registered nurse and the equivalent of three years of full-time nursing or human services experience with the above population groups.

Responsibilities

• Assess the ongoing risk to the Dependent Adult, develop safety plans, assess the strengths, and needs of the Dependent Adult and family, and make recommendations to various county attorneys and courts.
• Frequent interaction with law enforcement, medical/mental health community partners, schools, etc.
• Apply Iowa Code, agency policy, and sound professional judgment to highly complex situations involving crises and or chronic abuse or neglect.
• Conduct home visits, detailed interviews, and thorough narrative documentation for all assigned cases.
• Troubleshoot problematic situations to find innovative solutions to present to administration and the supervisor.
• Confront crisis situations and high stress situations in a calm and orderly manner maintaining confidential information as required by the agency and assuring safety is a top priority for all in the office.
• Obtain information from a wide variety of sources, including written materials, telephone conversations and through computer databases and to be able to read and interpret the data.
• Identify rules, principles, or relationships that explain reasonable facts, data, or other information that analyzes information and correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions.
• Interact in a team environment to manage group processes, facilitates, and encourages cooperation pride, trust, and group identity, fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.
• Within an office environment, provides Division support to large segment of agency through managing internal and external requests for information and legislative reviews requiring comprehension of request, independent judgment to assign and adherence to agency formatting of timely response or communication.
• Interact with employees and customers in a positive customer service manner to resolve problems and answer customer inquiries. Customer contacts may include correspondence, telephone, or walk-ins to the local office.
• Work or be on standby during nights and weekends on a rotational basis.

Benefits

• Health, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Paid Time Off (vacation, sick leave, paid holidays)
• Retirement Plans (IPERS, Retirement Investors Club (RIC), Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (medical and dependent care expenses)
• Life insurance
• Free long-term disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Discount Programs

What This Job Offers

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