Adult Protective Services Lead Investigator & Mentor

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services; Lacey (WA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

Training opportunities

Flexible schedule

Job summary

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) – Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA) seeks an Adult Protective Services Lead to oversee Social Service Specialist staff in Lacey, WA. You will lead intakes and advanced investigations into abuse, neglect, exploitation, and self-neglect of vulnerable adults, while guiding staff development and ensuring high-quality services.

You will also take the lead on high-risk cases, provide supervisory coverage, and coordinate

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social services, criminal law/justice, or allied field with four years as Social Service Specialist 2
• Master's degree in social services, criminal law/justice, or allied field with two years paid social service experience
• Equivalent combination of education and experience totaling eight or more years

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, coaching, mentoring, and technical guidance to APS intakes and investigations.
• Coordinate unit workflow by assigning and auditing work, triaging intakes, and reviewing case actions.
• Conduct advanced-level intakes and complex investigations involving abandonment, abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, self-neglect.
• Lead investigations involving high-risk, life-threatening, or politically sensitive cases.
• Provide supervisory coverage in the supervisor's absence and support unit operations.
• Prepare investigative findings, reports, and documentation; coordinate with legal counsel and stakeholders; provide expert testimony.

Skills

Complex investigations

Risk assessment

Conflict de-escalation

Coaching / mentoring

Communication skills

Case management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Equivalent education

Tools

Microsoft Office

Case management software

Job description

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) – Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA) seeks an Adult Protective Services Lead to oversee Social Service Specialist staff in Lacey, WA. You will lead intakes and advanced investigations into abuse, neglect, exploitation, and self-neglect of vulnerable adults, while guiding staff development and ensuring high-quality services.

You will also take the lead on high-risk cases, provide supervisory coverage, and coordinate