Adult Protection Services Supervisor

El Paso County, CO; Colorado Springs (CO); Hybrid; USD 76,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

El Paso County, Colorado seeks an experienced Adult Protection Services (APS) Supervisor to lead a team of caseworkers and support staff. The role focuses on safeguarding at‑risk adults, guiding policy changes, and driving process improvements to enhance service delivery.

Responsibilities include supervising staff, coordinating referrals, and providing training while maintaining compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in social work or health care related fields as stated.
• Master’s degree in social work or related field is preferred.
• Three years of professional or human services experience in a public or private agency.

Responsibilities

• Supervises caseworkers, case services aides, and administrative staff; assigns duties and conducts performance evaluations.
• Manages APS intake line and workflow; coordinates referrals to other agencies when needed.
• Leads staff trainings and attends DHS/APS meetings; develops improvement plans and monitors program goals.
• Reviews and approves unit correspondence and reports; ensures compliance with laws and regulations.

Skills

Leadership

Supervision

Policy advocacy

Communication

Training others

Data-driven decisions

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in social work or health care related fields

Master’s degree in social work or related field

Job description

Do you have a demonstrated history in a leadership role but want something new? Do you possess a fervent dedication to aiding the at‑risk population? Have you aspired to enhance your involvement within community outreach and state projects? If so, an exceptional opportunity awaits you! As an Adult Protection Services (APS) Supervisor, you will immerse yourself in the challenging and gratifying realm of advocating for and safeguarding our at‑risk population. Your role will be pivotal, as you guide and support caseworkers towards ensuring that our at‑risk community enjoys a safe, healthy, and fulfilling life. This position demands strong demonstrated leadership skills, and you will be tasked with advocating to state on policy and rule changes to support our clients and staff, revamping processes and systems to be more efficient and effective, as well as building collaborative relationships both internally and externally for the purposes of supporting our at‑risk population. As an APS Supervisor, you will have the opportunity to affect, practice, and process change, impart knowledge to the community regarding abuse and neglect allegations, and emphasize critical thinking and emotional intelligence in the training of new APS team members.

Hiring rate: $75,800.00 - $82,800.00 Annually

Anticipated Hiring Rate: $79,730.56 Annually

This is an adult protection position; adult protection includes engaging families. It is reasonable to anticipate the need for flexibility in work hours periodically to accommodate client schedules. The average workday hours are Monday-Friday 8:00am -5:00pm. Schedule is subject to change. Hybrid schedule available upon successful completion of the probationary period; subject to change. This position will participate in an on‑call rotation.

Due to the sensitive nature of this role, additional background checks may be required, including a Government Program Fraud check, Child Welfare Abuse & Neglect database (TRAILS), and Colorado Adult Protective Services (CAPS) check.

Please be advised this position may close without advance notice, should we receive a sufficient number of qualified applications.

Supervises and manages Adult Protection Services (APS) unit caseworkers and case services aides in support of the Department of Human Services mission to assess and intervene in cases regarding abuse, neglect, and exploitation of elderly and disabled adults. Employment is subject to the terms, conditions, and policies detailed in the Personnel Policies Manual (PPM). This position requires regular in‑person presence as an essential job function.

• Supervises caseworkers, case services aides, and administrative staff as determined by unit workflow, including conducting unit meetings, ensuring work is performed in a timely and accurate manner, and assigning duties as appropriate. Conducts performance evaluations and motivates employees to achieve peak productivity and performance; participates in the hiring and disciplinary process.
• Assigns cases through a team decision making process to caseworkers, makes referrals to other agencies when referral does not meet APS criteria.
• Supervises and monitors the APS intake line.
• Communicates the mission of the unit; establishes and monitors the workflow of the unit and assigns new incoming cases.
• Conducts and participates in staffings and consultations with caseworkers; meets with each caseworker in the unit per supervision protocol to discuss cases, treatment plans, problems, issues, and to address caseworker performance.
• Leads weekly unit meetings to discuss information; participates in DHS administrative meetings involving planning, decision making, and management. Coordinates and facilitates staff training as needed.
• Participates in case‑related staffings, court hearings, and team meetings; determines and recommends appropriate case plans and proceedings.
• Utilizes data to meet program guidelines/expectations and identify areas of opportunity for potential improvement. Ensures program is working to meet or exceed Colorado Department of Human Services C‑Stat Program goals. Prepares, designs, and implements plans for improvement in respective unit.
• Audits files to ensure compliance with Federal, State, and County laws, rules, and regulations; reviews cases to ensure case plans are developed and implemented.
• Reviews, edits, and/or approves unit correspondence and reports.
• Serves as a liaison to community professionals, clients, other agencies, the courts, and the general public; responds to complaints and concerns. Provides training and consultation for Community Partner Agencies and the general public on adult protective issues.
• Analyzes, approves, and routes financial requests.
• Attends training and workshops.
• Performs other duties as required.

Supervision Exercised:

This classification requires supervising and monitoring performance for a regular group of employees or unit(s) including providing input on hiring/disciplinary action and work objectives/ effectiveness, performance evaluations, and realigning work as needed. A first‑line or second‑line supervisor typically performs these tasks.

Supervision Received:

Receives administrative supervision. This classification typically performs job duties and resolves conflict according to their own judgment and initiatives, requesting supervisory assistance only when necessary. Special projects are managed with little oversight, and assignments may be reviewed upon completion. Performance reviewed periodically.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Working knowledge of Department of Human Services programs and protocol.
• Working knowledge of adult protection laws, rules, and regulations.
• Working knowledge of the dynamics of disabled adults and the elderly.
• Ability to provide guidance, supervise, and train others; ability to objectively review and evaluate the performance and work of others.
• Ability to understand, interpret, and communicate policies and procedures to staff.
• Ability to assess situations and make prudent and appropriate decisions; ability to apply conflict resolution and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with co‑workers, clients, other agencies, and the public.Ability to provide excellent customer service.
• Ability to efficiently plan, schedule, and organize.
• Ability to use standard office equipment to include computer, fax machine, copier, and telephone.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance.

Required Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from a higher education institution with an equivalent of thirty semester or forty‑five quarter hours in human behavioral sciences or health care related courses required as stated in Volume 30 Section 310.B.
• Three years of professional, caseworker, case management, or human services experience in a public or private social services agency; or
• A Master’s degree or higher in social work or human behavioral sciences, as described in Section 30.310.a.3.a;and
  Two years of professional, caseworker, case management, or human services experience in a public or private social services agency.

Preferred Education & Experience

• One year of supervisory or demonstrated leadership experience.
• CAPS experience.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Licenses/Certificates

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and proof of automobile insurance as stated within El Paso County’s Personnel Policies Manual.
• Must obtain and maintain necessary certifications as applicable to the position.
• Must possess or obtain Colorado Adult Protective Services Certification within ninety days of course enrollment and maintain certification thereafter.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Must pass conditional post-offer background investigation, including fingerprinting, motor vehicle record check, and drug screen. College transcripts required prior to the date of hire.

Duties are primarily performed in an office environment with some travel for home visits, development of community resources, community events, and meetings. This position may require occasional lifting, such as files, supplies, and vulnerable individuals. Hybrid remote work environment dependent upon Department discretion and business needs. May be exposed to hostile situations/individuals and unsanitary and hazardous conditions. Reliable transportation is required as you will be utilizing your own registered and insured personal vehicle to transport clients as needed; mileage reimbursement is available upon request. This position may require a 24/7 on‑call and after‑hours rotational schedule; some evening or weekend work may be required. Local and non‑local travel, including possible out‑of‑state travel, may be required.

The classification specification above is intended to describe the general nature of work, key responsibilities, and minimum qualifications. Minimum qualifications reflect the baseline experience required for the classification. Departments may establish additional or preferred qualifications to address operational needs, assignment complexity, and specialized functions, provided such qualifications are job‑related, consistent with the intent of the classification, and as approved by the Human Resources department. Specific job assignments, duties, education, experience, licenses/certifications, and working conditions may vary based on the department or office's needs and the requirements of the assigned position. Changes to this classification specification may only be made by the Human Resources Department.