DSHS HCLA Social Service Specialist 5

State of Washington • Pierce County – Tacoma, WA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

DSHS's Adult Protective Services (APS) investigates reports of abuse, neglect, abandonment, and financial exploitation involving vulnerable adults across Washington state. We are currently hiring for an APS Supervisor to supervise a team of APS investigators in Tacoma. As an APS Supervisor, you will independently oversee a unit of Social Service Specialists, ensuring they develop a strong foundation in investigative work. You will train new investigators through every step of the investigative process, providing clear and consistent consultation on case handling. Additionally, you will assign, prioritize, audit, and review work assignments on an ongoing basis to ensure compliance with policies and best practices, maximizing the quality of service provided to clients. The quality of the team's investigations directly affects the safety of the people APS serves. A delayed or incomplete investigation can leave a vulnerable adult at continued risk, while a thorough one can stop harm and connect that person to needed services. The supervisor is responsible for ensuring every case is handled promptly, accurately, and in accordance with state law and agency policy. This position also manages the unit's daily operations, including hiring, training, staff schedules, leave coverage, and workload distribution. Consistent coverage allows the unit to respond reliably to the community members who depend on APS.

Requirements

• One year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 4.
• Two years of experience as a Social Service Specialist 3.
• Four years of experience as Social Service Specialist 2.
• A master’s degree in Social Services, Human Services, Behavioral Sciences, Criminal Law/Justice or an allied field and one year of paid social service experience equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2.
• A bachelor’s degree in Social Services, Human Services, Behavioral Sciences, Criminal Law/Justice or an allied field and five years of paid social service experience equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2.
• Nine years of paid professional/practical social service experience equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2.
• A two-year master’s degree in one of the above fields that included a practicum may be substituted for one year of paid social service experience.
• 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 on the privately owned vehicle.

Nice To Haves

• Investigative knowledge: Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the state laws and policies governing adult protective services.
• Leadership: Directs a team through complex casework and maintains consistent professional standards.
• Coaching: Develops staff capabilities through structured training and constructive feedback.
• Communication: Builds strong working relationships with staff, courts, law enforcement, and community partners to coordinate services.
• Trusted professional judgment: Makes sound, independent decisions and resolves staffing or case concerns as they arise.
• Planning: Organizes staff schedules and workload to maintain case progress.
• Adaptability: Works effectively across home visits, care facilities, and office settings.
• Equity and cultural competence: Recognizes and responds to the diverse backgrounds, needs, and circumstances of the vulnerable adults served, and promotes fair, respectful treatment across the unit.

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

• 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.
• Pierce County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs.

What This Job Offers

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