DSHS HCLA APS Social Service Specialist 5

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services; Federal Way (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5% premium pay

ORCA card for transportation

Job summary

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services in Federal Way seeks a Social Service Specialist 5 to supervise Adult Protective Services. You will lead a team investigating abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults, ensuring compliant, timely responses under RCW 74.34 and related policies.

Role includes coaching staff, hiring decisions, case consultations, and collaborations with law enforcement and tribal partners, with a focus on safety and protections.

Qualifications

• Leadership: guide, coach and hold staff accountable.
• Policy knowledge: apply laws, rules and procedures to cases.
• Critical thinking: review investigations and determine next steps.
• Emotional intelligence: de-escalate, navigate conflict with care.
• Communication: explain expectations and provide clear feedback.
• Decision-making: assess complex situations and weigh risks.
• Collaboration: work with internal/external partners.
• Technology: comfortable with standard systems and learning new tools.

Responsibilities

• Supervise a unit of Social Service Specialist staff and manage hiring, training, evaluation and discipline.
• Lead unit operations with regular meetings and fair workload distribution.
• Provide policy guidance and training on laws and procedures.
• Review investigations and approve cases for the Investigation Review Team.
• Prepare reports to monitor trends and ensure timely, accurate work.
• Communicate updates and changes to staff.
• Coordinate with partners and address concerns, escalating major incidents.
• Serve as a mandatory reporter and participate in staffings and outreach.

Skills

Leadership

Policy knowledge

Critical thinking

Emotional intelligence

Communication

Decision-making

Collaboration

Technology

Education

Master’s degree

Bachelor’s degree

Combination of higher education and paid experience

Tools

CARE

ACES Online

Barcode

payment/service authorization systems

Job description

Description

Description DSHS HCLA APS – Adult Protective Services Supervisor (Social Service Specialist 5)

Join the Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA) as a Social Service Specialist 5 in Federal Way and help ensure high-quality investigations and protective services within Adult Protective Services (APS). In this role, your work directly supports the safety, dignity, and well‑being of vulnerable adults when it matters most.

As a front‑line supervisor, you will lead and support a team of Social Service Specialists who investigate reports of abuse, neglect, abandonment, exploitation, and self‑neglect. Your oversight ensures investigations are thorough, timely, and aligned with applicable laws and policies, including RCW 74.34, the Washington Administrative Code, and the Long‑Term Care Manual. Your leadership helps ensure responses are appropriate and proportionate to the level of risk in each situation.

In this role, you will assign and review work, provide case consultation, coach and develop staff, and make hiring and performance decisions. Your leadership strengthens Adult Protective Services’ mission to partner with individuals to access the support, care, and protection they need, while helping Washington’s long‑term services and supports system remain strong, equitable, and responsive.

Some Of What You'll Do

• Supervise a unit of Social Service Specialist staff, providing direction, setting performance expectations, and managing hiring, training, evaluation, and corrective or disciplinary action.
• Lead unit operations by conducting regular team and one‑on‑one meetings, facilitating case staffings and multidisciplinary team meetings, and ensuring equitable workload distribution.
• Provide policy guidance, training, and clarification on laws, WACs, procedures, and program requirements, offering ongoing feedback and support for staff development.
• Review investigations and case documentation for completeness, accuracy, quality, and compliance, and review and approve cases submitted to the Investigation Review Team (IRT).
• Prepare and analyze reports to monitor trends, distribute workload, correct errors, and support timely, accurate work across the unit.
• Communicate policy and procedure updates, management bulletins, and program changes, ensuring staff remain informed and aligned with current requirements.
• Coordinate with internal and external partners; including other government departments, the Attorney General’s Office, law enforcement, and tribal governments—and address any concerns, escalating major incidents as appropriate.
• Serve as a mandatory reporter, participate in and lead case staffings, provide testimony in administrative or judicial proceedings, and contribute to outreach efforts, committees and special projects.

Who should apply?

We Are Searching For Professionals With

• One year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 4.

OR

• Two years of experience as a Social Service Specialist 3.

OR

• Four years of experience as a Social Service Specialist 2.

OR

• A master’s degree** in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal justice, or a related field AND one year of paid social service experience* equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 3.

OR

• A bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal justice, or a related field AND five years of paid social service experience* performing functions equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2.

OR

• A combination of higher education ( in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal justice, or a related field) and paid social service experience totaling at least nine years.

*NOTE: Paid social service experience must include assessing risk and safety to adult/children and providing direct family‑centered practice services.

*NOTE: A two year master's degree in one of the above fields that included a practicum may be substituted for one year of paid social service experience.

Additional Knowledge, Skills And Abilities We Are Looking For

• Leadership: The ability to guide, support and coach staff while setting clear expectations and accountability.
• Policy knowledge: The ability to understand and apply laws, rules and procedures to real‑life situations.
• Critical thinking: The ability to review investigations, spot issues and help staff determine next steps.
• Emotional intelligence: The ability to navigate conflict, de‑escalate tense situations and have difficult conversations with care.
• Communication: The ability to explain expectations, give feedback and share information clearly in writing and conversation.
• Decision‑making ability: The skill to assess complex situations, weigh risk and make sound judgments under pressure.
• Collaboration: The ability to work effectively with partners inside and outside the agency.
• Technology: Comfort using standard computer systems and learning new tools and software as needed. DSHS systems such as; CARE, ACES Online, Barcode, payment/service authorization systems.

Additional Information

• Work Schedule: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
• Opportunities in this job classification that perform unannounced visits in unregulated environments, such as private residences, to conduct investigations for allegations of abuse and/or neglect of vulnerable adult individuals, may be eligible for an additional 10% assignment pay in addition to the advertised salary.
• King County employees receive 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary and are eligible to receive a free ORCA card for transportation use.

Please reach out to DSHS Recruiter Saleen Hernandez at [e-mail] and reference job number #07357.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

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.
• 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.

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