DSHS HCLA Adult Protective Services Investigator

State of Washington; Tacoma (WA); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Orca Card for transportation

Hybrid/flex schedule after training

Job summary

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is hiring Adult Protective Service Investigators (Social Service Specialist 3) in Tacoma. This dynamic, field-based role requires conducting investigations into abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults, with daily travel within local communities.

We value collaboration with law enforcement, healthcare providers, families, and community agencies to connect clients with needed services while safeguarding dignity and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in social services or allied field; six years combined education/work experience may substitute.
• Two years of paid relevant work experience in social services, healthcare, education, criminal justice, or allied fields.

Responsibilities

• Make observations and conduct face-to-face interviews with alleged victims and others; travel within communities to investigations.
• Collect and evaluate relevant information to inform decisions on investigations, services, and outcomes.
• Document all pertinent activity for each investigation in electronic systems.
• Collaborate with law enforcement, families, facilities, and community partners regarding client needs.
• Identify and refer at-risk adults to appropriate service groups.

Skills

Risk assessment

Investigations

Autonomous decision-making

Office & data entry

Critical thinking

Medicaid knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal law/justice, education, healthcare, or allied field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Adult Protective Service Investigators (Social Service Specialist 3)

Adult Protective Services (APS) is excited to offer multiple opportunities for experienced social service investigators to join our Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA) team as APS Investigators at our Tacoma office.

Description

In this role, you will independently investigate reports of abandonment, abuse, exploitation, neglect, and self-neglect affecting adults who require protective services, including people with developmental disabilities. Your work is essential in safeguarding others, ensuring their well-being, and connecting them with supportive resources that uphold their dignity and independence. Success in this job relies on your ability to gather evidence, conduct thorough investigations, and collaborate effectively with individuals, families, and community partners.

Please note: A hybrid and/or flex work schedule may be considered after your training is completed, based on business needs. This is a dynamic, field-based social service role that involves traveling within local communities to provide support and assistance. Daily travel is required. Pierce County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs.

Opportunities in this job classification that perform unannounced visits in unregulated environments, such as private residences, to conduct investigations for allegations of abuse, or neglect of vulnerable adults, are entitled to a 10% increase in addition to the advertised salary.

Some Of What You Will Do

• Make observations and conduct face-to-face interviews with alleged victims, alleged perpetrators, and other collateral contacts; travel within communities to conduct investigations.
• Collect and evaluate relevant information to make decisions related to the investigation, services, and outcomes.
• Document all pertinent activity for each investigation and record this electronically using computer application systems.
• Collaborate with law enforcement, judicial entities, families, facilities, local office staff, other regional offices, and community agencies/partners regarding client needs.
• Identify and refer at-risk and vulnerable adults to appropriate service groups.
• Provide client advocacy, consultation, networking, family support, and crisis intervention.
• Prepare and provide testimony at administrative hearings, court proceedings, and at criminal, civil, and administrative proceedings.

Who should apply?

• Professionals with a bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal law/justice, education, healthcare, or another allied field.
• And two years of paid relevant work experience in social services, healthcare, education, criminal justice, or allied fields.

Equivalent combination of education and/or work experience in social service allied fields totaling six years will substitute in lieu of degree requirement. A master’s practicum work will be substituted for one year of paid social service experience.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Experience assessing risk and safety to vulnerable adults or children.
• Investigative work experience that includes research, observation, asking clarifying questions, and comparing stories.
• Capable of autonomous decision-making in critical or immediate safety situations, developing effective solutions.
• Experience using Microsoft Office, data-entry, and documentation skills.
• Exceptional critical thinking, time management, and focus.
• Apply empathy and adaptability to resolve tense situations effectively while maintaining focus and reducing risks.
• Proficient in Medicaid terminology, regulations, and policies.
• Highly adaptable to evolving policies and directions.

Build a career focused on improving people’s lives. Make your passion your profession. Use your empathy and investigative expertise to partner with others and provide meaningful care, support, and resources that truly matter.

Questions?

Please reach out to DSHS Recruiter [e-mail] and reference job number 08970.

Supplemental Information

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at [phone]. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

Relationship and Reporting Structure (Nebotism) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here. Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.

E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

More than Just a Paycheck!

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits

Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement And Deferred Compensation

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who have in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note:

Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave

Leave Sharing

Parental Leave

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026