DSHS ALTSA Social Service Specialist 5

State of Washington • Tacoma, WA

382d

About The Position

Within the Department of Social and Health Services, Aging and Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA) Adult Protective Services (APS) provides protective services to vulnerable adults who meet the target population in accordance with RCW 74.34, WAC and Chapter 6 of the Long Term Care Manual. We are looking for a strong leader who is motivated to train new APS Investigators who come into the department as a temporary Social Service Specialist. This job is located in Tacoma, WA. Pierce County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs. Opportunities in this job classification that perform unannounced visits in unregulated environments, such as private residences, to conduct investigations for allegations of abuse and/or neglect of vulnerable adult individuals, may be eligible for an additional 10% assignment pay in addition to the advertised salary. This role functions independently as a first-line supervisor of a unit of Social Service Specialists. This supervisor will focus on building a strong foundation for each of the investigators in their team. They will train new investigators on each step of the investigative work they are assigned and then assign, prioritize, audit, and review work assignments on an ongoing basis, providing clear and consistent consultation and direction in the handling of cases to ensure maximum service to clients. This supervisor will hire and train new investigators, evaluate their performance, identify coaching and training needs, and initiate corrective or disciplinary action if needed. They will conduct monthly unit meetings, ensure their team understands and follows the APS policies and procedures, and provide support, coaching, and training regularly through one-to-one and group training and staffing sessions. This is a challenging and fulfilling position, allowing the incumbent to use their investigative expertise to coach, mentor, and support new investigators along their path to becoming independent, skilled APS professionals!

Requirements

• Investigative experience and in-depth knowledge of laws, policies and directives governing services to vulnerable adults within the State of Washington.
• Ability to establish relationships and effectively collaborate, cooperate, and coordinate with peers, clients, constituents, community partners, outside agencies, other members of the community, and internal and external partners, regarding the requirements and services available pertaining to APS.
• Must be able to successfully perform the essential functions as described in the PDF and perform the physical requirements of this position such as traveling and lifting, moving, and transferring equipment (such as a laptop, files, manuals, etc.).
• Ability to identify and evaluate social dynamics affecting client choice and decision making.
• Prior experience or demonstrated ability to supervise multiple staff and maintain the organizational structure.
• Ability to independently assess situations and utilize professional independent judgment.

Responsibilities

• Independently supervise a unit of Social Service Specialist professionals who investigate reports of abuse, abandonment, neglect, financial exploitation, exploitation, and self-neglect of vulnerable adults, and offer and provides protective services to vulnerable adults.
• Recruit, hire, and train new staff.
• Set expectations for job performance as well as monitor and evaluate staff performance and adherence to applicable laws, policies, and procedures governing their job assignments and takes corrective action and complete disciplinary actions.
• Conduct regular staff unit and individual meetings.
• Facilitate, lead, and participate in unit meetings, case staffing sessions, and multi-disciplinary team meetings.
• Assign and monitor work for equitable and appropriate work distribution for each individual and within the unit.
• Evaluate training needs of staff and provide coaching, training, and support to each team member as appropriate.
• Provide direction in the areas of time management, organization, and case planning.
• Train and provide clarification to staff in current policy and procedures, long-term care manual, WAC, and Management Bulletins.

Benefits

• Eligible for an Orca Card for transportation needs.
• Potential for an additional 10% assignment pay for performing unannounced visits in unregulated environments.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Industry: Administration of Economic Programs