APS Supervisor: Lead Social Service Investigations

State of Washington Dept. of Social and Health Services; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

DSHS's Adult Protective Services (APS) Department is seeking an APS Supervisor to oversee a team of Social Service Specialists in Tacoma. The role involves training investigators, reviewing case files, and ensuring compliance with state law and agency policy while managing daily unit operations.

Ideal candidates have leadership and investigative experience, with a focus on equity and collaboration across partners.

Qualifications

• Demonstrates thorough understanding of state laws and policies governing adult protective services.
• Directs a team through complex casework and maintains professional standards.
• Develops staff capabilities through structured training and constructive feedback.
• Builds relationships with staff, courts, law enforcement, and community partners to coordinate services.
• Makes sound, independent decisions and resolves staffing or case concerns as they arise.
• Organizes staff schedules and workload to maintain case progress.

Responsibilities

• Supervise a unit of Social Service Specialists who investigate abuse, neglect, abandonment, self-neglect, and financial exploitation of vulnerable adults.
• Train new and current staff on investigation steps and current agency policy and procedures, long-term care manual, WAC, and Management Bulletins.
• Review case files for thoroughness and accuracy, and approve or return investigations for more work.
• Manage a small caseload and cover investigations when staff are on leave.
• Set expectations for staff performance, complete evaluations, and take corrective or disciplinary action when needed.
• Assign and audit casework to keep it distributed fairly and moving on schedule.
• Hold monthly one-on-one meetings, case staffing sessions, and unit meetings.
• Coordinate with law enforcement, courts, tribal governments, and community agencies on shared cases.
• Participate in hiring, including interviews, reference checks, and hiring recommendations.
• Testify in judicial or administrative hearings related to APS cases.
• Respond to client and constituent concerns, and report critical incidents through the proper channels.
• Review reports and data to track the unit's workload and progress.

Skills

Investigative knowledge

Leadership

Coaching

Communication

Trusted professional judgment

Planning

Adaptability

Equity commitment

Education

Master’s degree in Social Services, Human Services, Behavioral Sciences, Criminal Law/Justice or an allied field

Bachelor’s degree in Social Services, Human Services, Behavioral Sciences, Criminal Law/Justice or an allied field

Job description

DSHS's Adult Protective Services (APS) Department is seeking an APS Supervisor to oversee a team of Social Service Specialists in Tacoma. The role involves training investigators, reviewing case files, and ensuring compliance with state law and agency policy while managing daily unit operations.

Ideal candidates have leadership and investigative experience, with a focus on equity and collaboration across partners.