DSHS HCLA Social Service Specialist 5

State of Washington • Snohomish County – Everett, WA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Social and Health Services’ Adult Protective Services (APS) investigates reports of abuse, neglect, self-neglect, abandonment, and financial exploitation involving vulnerable adults across Washington state. The Social Service Specialist 5 serves as an APS Supervisor in Everett, overseeing a unit of Social Service Specialists who conduct investigations. The supervisor develops investigators’ skills, trains new staff through the investigative process, and provides consultation on case handling. They assign, prioritize, audit, and review work to ensure investigations are timely, accurate, and consistent with state law, agency policy, and best practices. The role also manages daily unit operations, including hiring, training, scheduling, leave coverage, workload distribution, staff performance, and case coverage. The quality and timeliness of the unit’s investigations affect the safety of vulnerable adults and their access to needed services.

This position may involve a small caseload and conducting investigations when staff are on leave. The supervisor coordinates with law enforcement, courts, tribal governments, and community agencies; responds to client and constituent concerns; reports critical incidents; and may testify at judicial or administrative hearings. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver’s license; employees using a privately owned vehicle for state business must carry liability insurance.

Opportunities in this job classification that include unannounced visits in unregulated settings, such as private residences, to investigate allegations of abuse or neglect may be eligible for an additional 10% assignment pay. Snohomish County employees are eligible for an Orca Card for transportation needs.

Requirements

• Meet one of the following experience and education pathways: one year as a Social Service Specialist 4; two years as a Social Service Specialist 3; four years as a Social Service Specialist 2; a master’s degree in Social Services, Human Services, Behavioral Sciences, Criminal Law/Justice, or an allied field plus one year of paid social service experience equivalent to Social Service Specialist 2; a bachelor’s degree in one of those fields plus five years of paid social service experience equivalent to Social Service Specialist 2; or nine years of paid professional/practical social service experience equivalent to Social Service Specialist 2.
• A two-year master’s degree in one of the specified fields that included a practicum may substitute for one year of paid social service experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of state laws and policies governing adult protective services.
• Ability to lead a team through complex casework and maintain professional standards.
• Ability to train and coach staff through structured instruction and constructive feedback.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills to coordinate services with staff, courts, law enforcement, and community partners.
• Sound independent professional judgment and ability to resolve staffing or case concerns.
• Ability to organize staff schedules and workloads to maintain case progress.
• Ability to work effectively across home visits, care facilities, and office settings.
• Commitment to equity and to fair, respectful treatment of vulnerable adults with diverse backgrounds, needs, and circumstances.
• Provide a resume, cover letter, and three professional references with current contact information.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Supervise a unit of Social Service Specialists investigating abuse, neglect, abandonment, self-neglect, and financial exploitation of vulnerable adults.
• Train new and current staff on investigative steps, agency policies and procedures, the long-term care manual, WAC, and Management Bulletins.
• Review case files for thoroughness and accuracy, and approve investigations or return them for additional work.
• Manage a small caseload and cover investigations when staff are on leave.
• Set staff performance expectations, complete evaluations, and take corrective or disciplinary action when needed.
• Assign and audit casework to maintain fair workload distribution and timely progress.
• Hold monthly one-on-one meetings, case staffing sessions, and unit meetings.
• Coordinate shared cases with law enforcement, courts, tribal governments, and community agencies.
• Participate in hiring through interviews, reference checks, and hiring recommendations.
• Testify in judicial or administrative hearings related to APS cases.
• Respond to client and constituent concerns and report critical incidents through appropriate channels.
• Review reports and data to track unit workload and progress.
• Manage unit operations, including hiring, training, staff schedules, leave coverage, and workload distribution.

Benefits

• Eligible Snohomish County employees may receive an Orca Card for transportation needs.
• Some qualifying opportunities involving unannounced visits in unregulated environments may be eligible for additional 10% assignment pay.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed