Adult Protective Service Worker

State of Iowa; Des Moines (IA); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, and Vision Coverage

Paid Time Off (96–144 hours vacation;

Sick leave; holidays

Job summary

The State of Iowa’s Department of Health and Human Services seeks an Adult Protective Service Worker to assess and respond to abuse or neglect of dependent adults across Clarke, Decatur, Lucas, Marion, Warren, and Wayne Counties.

This role requires frequent travel within the counties, home visits, and meticulous documentation.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in any field and experience equal to three years of full-time work in a human services, social work, or criminal justice capacity in a public or private agency.
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in social work, and experience equal to two years of full-time work in a human services, social work, or criminal justice capacity in a public or private agency.
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s degree in human services, social work, criminal justice, or a related field.
• All of the following (a and b): four years of education and/or full-time experience in a human services, social work or criminal justice capacity in a public or private agency, with specific coursework requirements as described.

Responsibilities

• Assess the ongoing risk to the Dependent Adult, develop safety plans, assess needs, and make recommendations to county attorneys and courts.
• Frequent interaction with law enforcement, medical/mental health partners, schools, etc.
• Apply Iowa Code, agency policy, and professional judgment in complex crises and abuse situations.
• Conduct home visits, interviews, and thorough narrative documentation.
• Troubleshoot crises and high-stress situations calmly and safely.
• Maintain confidentiality and prioritize safety for all in the office.
• Gather information from diverse sources and read/interpret data.
• Identify relationships and logical inferences from data to reach conclusions.
• Collaborate in a team environment to manage processes and foster teamwork.
• Provide Division support by handling requests for information and legislative reviews, ensuring timely responses and positive customer interactions.
• May work nights and weekends on a rotational on-call schedule.
• Possess a Valid Driver’s License.

Skills

Observational skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Judgment under pressure

Independent judgment

Team collaboration

Customer service

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree in human services / related field

Job description

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Division of Aging and Disability Services, Bureau of Preventative & Protective Services is seeking an Adult Protective Service Worker to join our team!

This is a full-time opportunity, Monday – Friday with typical hours being from 8:00 AM- 4:30 PM with overtime as needed. This position may work from their home or the assigned work location. The work location will be the nearest HHS full-time office in the assigned primary county cluster where work is performed and will travel on a regular basis to assess allegations within the counties mentioned below. The need for supporting other counties in the service region may arise. This position requires participation in a regional rotational on-call schedule, including weekend assignments.

Mileage is paid at $0.50/mile travelled according to the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) State Accounting Enterprise Procedures. Compensation is commensurate with experience and education.

Overview

This Adult Protective Worker will conduct assessments of allegations of abuse or neglect of dependent adults within Clarke County, Decatur County, Lucas County, Marion County, Warren County and Wayne County. Daily travel within these counties will be expected in this role. This may change due to caseloads or staffing assignments. This vital frontline position requires multi-tasking and the ability to gather physical and documentary evidence and analyze information with accuracy and efficiency to assist in protecting the most vulnerable Iowans.

Core Essential Functions

• Assess the ongoing risk to the Dependent Adult, develop safety plans, assess the strengths, and needs of the Dependent Adult and family, and make recommendations to various county attorneys and courts.
• Frequent interaction with law enforcement, medical/mental health community partners, schools, etc.
• This position requires the ability to apply Iowa Code, agency policy, and sound professional judgment to highly complex situations involving crises and or chronic abuse or neglect.
• All cases assigned to persons in this position require home visits, detailed interviews, and thorough narrative documentation.
• Troubleshoots problematic situations to find innovative solutions to present to administration and the supervisor. Confronts crisis situations and high stress situations in a calm and orderly manner
• maintaining confidential information as required by the agency and assuring safety is a top priority for all in the office.
• Obtain information from a wide variety of sources, including written materials, telephone conversations and through computer databases and to be able to read and interpret the data.
• Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain reasonable facts, data, or other information that analyzes information and correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions.
• Interacts in a team environment to manage group processes, facilitates, and encourages cooperation pride, trust, and group identity, fosters commitment and team spirit; works with others to achieve goals.
• Within an office environment, provides Division support to large segment of agency through managing internal and external requests for information and legislative reviews requiring comprehension of request, independent judgment to assign and adherence to agency formatting of timely response or communication. Interact with employees and customers in a positive customer service manner to resolve problems and answer customer inquiries. Customer contacts may include correspondence, telephone, or walk-ins to the local office.
• This position will be required to work or be on standby during nights and weekends on a rotational basis.
• Valid Driver’s License

The ideal candidate will have

• Strong observational and analytical skills, as well the ability to respectfully engage families as partners in planning for safety and establish a working relationship with families.
• Excellent judgment and communication skills and the ability to provide good written documentation in a timely manner.
• The ability to develop case plans, use critical thinking skills, prioritize work and work under pressure.
• The ability to use independent judgement to make sound decisions, demonstrate integrity and confidentiality and a strong work ethic.

Benefits

Working for the State of Iowa comes with its perks. In addition to a competitive salary, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Coverage:Health and dental insurance packages to keep you and your family healthy at a low cost with outstanding coverage!
• Paid Time Off:Take time to recharge with paid time off, including vacation (96 hours/year to begin, increasing with years of service), sick leave (144 hours/year), and paid holidays (9 days/year).
• Retirement Plans:Participate in retirement plans such as IPERS (employees contribute 6.29% and the State of Iowa contributes 9.44%) as well as our Retirement Investors Club (RIC), Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan (the State of Iowa matches dollar for dollar up to $75/month).
• Flexible Spending Accounts:Take advantage of flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care expenses.
• Insurance Coverage:Benefit from life insurance and free long-term disability insurance for added peace of mind.
• Employee Assistance Program:Access resources and support through our Employee Assistance Program for personal and professional challenges.
• Employee Discount Programs:Enjoy discounts on a variety of goods and services through our employee discount programs.

For additional information on benefits click here.

Click here to see how we compare with other employers or offers by using our Total Compensation Calculator.

Background Checks

Applicants will be required to complete a background check to be considered for this position.

The State of Iowa is an EEO/AA Employer

HHS values those with “lived experience” and encourages adults who were fostered as youth, foster parents, and/or parents who were in the DHS system to apply. Minorities, women, persons with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply (Hearing and Speech Impaired – Relay Iowa 1-800-735-2942 TDD).

E-Verify and Right to Work

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.

All work performed on behalf of Iowa Health and Human Services must occur in the State of Iowa.

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

1. Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in any field, and experience equal to three years of full-time work in a human services, social work, or criminal justice capacity in a public or private agency.

2. Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in social work, and experience equal to two years of full-time work in a human services, social work, or criminal justice capacity in a public or private agency.

3. Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s degree in human services, social work, criminal justice, or a related field.

4. All of the following (a and b):

   1. A total of four years of education and/or full-time experience in a human services, social work or criminal justice capacity in a public or private agency, where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in human services, social work, criminal justice, or a related field equals one year of full-time experience; and

   2. A total of two years of graduate-level education and/or full-time experience (as described in part a), where twenty-four semester hours of accredited graduate college or university coursework in human services, social work, criminal justice, or a related field equals one year of full-time experience.

5. Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes one year of full-time work as a Social Worker.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description. For designated positions in case management, the appointing authority may request those applicants possessing a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major or at least 30 semester hours or its equivalent in the behavioral sciences, education, health care, human services administration, or social sciences and the equivalent of 12 months of full-time experience in the delivery of human services in the combination of: chronic mental illness, developmental disabilities, and intellectual disabilities as a Targeted (Medicaid) Case Manager; OR an Iowa license to practice as a registered nurse and the equivalent of three years of full-time nursing or human services experience with the above population groups.

Applicants wishing to be considered for such designated positions must list applicable course work, experience, certificate, license, or endorsement on the application.