DSHS HCLA Social Service Specialist 5

State of Washington; Everett (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Orca Card transportation

10% assignment pay for unannounced in-

Job summary

State of Washington’s DSHS, Adult Protective Services, seeks a Social Service Specialist 5 (APS Supervisor) in Everett to lead a unit of investigators and ensure compliant, thorough case handling. You will train staff, supervise investigations, and coordinate with law enforcement and courts to protect vulnerable adults.

The role emphasizes leadership, policy adherence, and timely case closure, with responsibilities spanning hiring, scheduling, and performance management across the team.

Qualifications

• Demonstrates thorough understanding of state laws and policies governing adult protective services.
• Directs a team through complex casework while maintaining professional standards.
• Develops staff capabilities through structured training and feedback.
• Builds strong relationships with staff, courts, law enforcement, and community partners.

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

Bachelor's degree in Social Services/Human Services/Behavioral Sciences/Criminal Law/Justice

Job description

DSHS HCLA - Social Service Specialist 5 (APS Supervisor)

DSHS's Adult Protective Services (APS), investigates and provides protective services following reports of abuse, neglect, self-neglect, abandonment, and financial exploitation involving vulnerable adults across Washington state. We are currently hiring for an APS Supervisor to supervise a team of APS investigators in Everett.

As an APS Supervisor, you will independently oversee a unit of Social Service Specialists, ensuring they develop a strong foundation in investigative work. You will train new investigators through every step of the investigative process, providing clear and consistent consultation on case handling. Additionally, you will assign, prioritize, audit, and review work assignments on an ongoing basis to ensure compliance with policies and best practices, maximizing the quality of service provided to clients.

The quality of the team's investigations directly affects the safety of the people APS serves. A delayed or incomplete investigation can leave a vulnerable adult at continued risk, while a thorough one can stop harm and connect that person to needed services. The supervisor is responsible for ensuring every case is handled promptly, accurately, and in accordance with state law and agency policy.

This position also manages the unit's daily operations, including hiring, training, staff schedules, leave coverage, and workload distribution. Consistent coverage allows the unit to respond reliably to the community members who depend on APS.

Additional incentives: 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.

Snohomish County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs.

Some of what you'll do:

• 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.

Additional knowledge, skills, and abilities we are looking for:

• Investigative knowledge: Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the state laws and policies governing adult protective services.
• Leadership: Directs a team through complex casework and maintains consistent professional standards.
• Coaching: Develops staff capabilities through structured training and constructive feedback.
• Communication: Builds strong working relationships with staff, courts, law enforcement, and community partners to coordinate services.
• Trusted professional judgment: Makes sound, independent decisions and resolves staffing or case concerns as they arise.
• Planning: Organizes staff schedules and workload to maintain case progress.
• Adaptability: Works effectively across home visits, care facilities, and office settings.
• Equity commitment: Recognizes and responds to the diverse backgrounds, needs, and circumstances of the vulnerable adults served, and promotes fair, respectful treatment across the unit.

Who should apply?

Professionals that meet one of the following criteria:

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 Law/Justice or an allied field and one year of paid social service experience equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2.

OR

A bachelor’s degree in Social Services, Human Services, Behavioral Sciences, Criminal Law/Justice or an allied field and five years of paid social service experience equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2.

OR

Nine years of paid professional/practical social service experience equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2.

*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.

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.

Questions? Please reach out to DSHS Recruiter Vincent Hamilton at [e-mail] and reference job number #07887.

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 (Necropism) 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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