Adult Protective Worker

State of Iowa; Iowa (LA); Hybrid; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, and Vision Coverage

Paid Time Off (96 hours/year to begin)

Job summary

The State of Iowa seeks an Adult Protective Worker to assess allegations of abuse or neglect of dependent adults across multiple counties. Travel is required, with potential home-based work alongside office duties. Overtime may be needed to manage cases and ensure timely investigations.

Responsibilities include developing safety plans, coordinating with law enforcement and health partners, and documenting findings comprehensively. Mileage is compensated and duties adapt to caseloads.

Qualifications

• Strong observational and analytical skills.
• Excellent judgment and communication skills.
• Ability to develop case plans and prioritize work.

Responsibilities

• Assess ongoing risk to the dependent adult and develop safety plans.
• Interact with law enforcement, medical and social partners.
• Apply Iowa Code and agency policy in complex situations.
• Conduct home visits and thorough documentation of cases.
• Read, interpret, and read information from multiple sources.
• Coordinate with teams to manage internal and external requests.
• Provide frontline support and responsive communication to clients and attorneys.

Skills

Observational skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Case planning

Judgment & confidentiality

Job description

This Adult Protective Worker will conduct assessments of allegations of abuse or neglect of dependent adults in Adair County, Dallas County, Madison County, and Polk County. Daily travel to 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.

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 the nearest HHS full-time office within the service region or from their home and will travel on a regular basis to conduct assessments of allegations within the counties mentioned below. The need for supporting other counties in the area may arise.

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.

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.

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