Adult Protective Worker
About The Position
The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Aging and Disability Services, Bureau of Prevention & Protective Services is hiring an Adult Protective Worker to assess allegations of abuse or neglect involving dependent adults in Polk County. The role involves regular travel for assessments within the assigned county, with the possibility of supporting other counties in the service region based on caseloads or staffing needs. The worker may work from home or from the nearest HHS full-time office in the assigned primary county cluster. Mileage is paid at $0.50 per mile under State Accounting Enterprise Procedures. This frontline position requires gathering physical and documentary evidence, analyzing information, and applying Iowa Code, agency policy, and professional judgment to complex crisis and chronic abuse or neglect situations. The worker assesses ongoing risk, develops safety plans, evaluates the strengths and needs of dependent adults and their families, and makes recommendations to county attorneys and courts. The role includes home visits, detailed interviews, narrative documentation, coordination with community partners, and customer service. It also requires participation in a regional rotational on-call schedule, including nights and weekends. 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 a bachelor's degree in social work and the equivalent of two years of such experience; or a master's degree in social work; or an equivalent combination of graduate education in social or behavioral sciences and qualifying experience; or qualifying current continuous state executive branch experience as a Social Worker 2.
- A valid driver's license.
- Ability to gather and analyze physical and documentary evidence and information from multiple sources.
- Ability to apply Iowa Code, agency policy, and sound professional judgment to complex situations.
- Ability to conduct home visits, interviews, and detailed written documentation.
- Strong observational and analytical skills.
- Excellent judgment and communication skills, including timely, clear written documentation.
- Ability to develop case plans, think critically, prioritize work, and work under pressure.
- Ability to make sound decisions independently and demonstrate integrity, confidentiality, and a strong work ethic.
- Ability to respectfully engage families as partners in planning for safety and establish working relationships with families.
- Ability to work or be on standby during nights and weekends on a rotational basis.
- For designated case management positions, applicants may qualify through specified behavioral sciences, education, health care, human services administration, or social sciences education and human-services experience with identified populations, or through an Iowa registered nurse license and qualifying nursing or human-services experience.
Nice To Haves
- Lived experience as an adult who was fostered as a youth, a foster parent, or a parent who was in the DHS system is valued and encouraged.
Responsibilities
- Assess allegations of abuse or neglect of dependent adults and evaluate ongoing risk.
- Develop safety plans and assess the strengths and needs of dependent adults and their families.
- Make recommendations to county attorneys and courts.
- Conduct home visits, detailed interviews, and thorough narrative documentation for assigned cases.
- Gather physical and documentary evidence and obtain information from written materials, telephone conversations, and computer databases.
- Analyze information, interpret data, identify relevant relationships, and draw accurate conclusions.
- Apply Iowa Code, agency policy, and professional judgment to complex crisis and chronic abuse or neglect situations.
- Interact frequently with law enforcement, medical and mental health community partners, schools, and other stakeholders.
- Troubleshoot difficult situations and develop solutions to present to administration and the supervisor.
- Handle crisis and high-stress situations calmly while maintaining confidentiality and prioritizing safety.
- Work collaboratively with a team to facilitate cooperation and achieve goals.
- Manage internal and external requests for information and legislative reviews, using independent judgment and agency formatting to provide timely responses.
- Respond positively to employee and customer inquiries and resolve problems through correspondence, telephone, or walk-in contacts.
- Travel regularly for assessments within the assigned county and provide support to other counties in the service region as needed.
- Participate in a regional rotational on-call schedule, including nights and weekends.
Benefits
- Health insurance coverage
- Dental insurance coverage
- Vision insurance coverage
- Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
- Retirement plans through IPERS and the Retirement Investors Club, including state matching contributions to the Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan up to $75 per month
- Flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care expenses
- Life insurance
- Free long-term disability insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employee discount programs
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
