Senior APS Lead: Coaching & Complex Investigations

State of Washington; Lacey (WA); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Washington, Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) HCLA – Adult Protective Services Lead in Lacey, WA, seeks an experienced Social Service Specialist 4 to provide leadership and expert case management for complex APS investigations.

You will supervise staff, coordinate intakes and investigations of abuse, neglect, or exploitation, and testify in administrative hearings or court as needed, while promoting safety and dignity for vulnerable adults.

Qualifications

• One year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 3.
• Three years of experience as a Social Service Specialist 2.
• A bachelor's degree or higher in social services, criminal law/justice, or an allied field AND four years of experience as a Social Service Specialist 2.
• A master's degree in social services, criminal law/justice, or an allied field AND two years of paid social service experience equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience totaling eight or more years.
• 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.
• Note: Employees must successfully complete the formal training course sponsored by their division within one year of their appointment.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, coaching, mentoring, and technical guidance to Social Service Specialists conducting Adult Protective Services (APS) intakes and investigations.
• Facilitate staff development through classroom instruction, on-the-job training, case consultation, and support for employees transitioning from formal training to independent intake and fieldwork.
• Coordinate unit workflow by assigning and auditing work, triaging intakes, reviewing case actions for accuracy, identifying training needs, and providing constructive feedback in collaboration with the supervisor.
• Conduct advanced-level intakes and complex investigations involving allegations of abandonment, abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, and self-neglect of vulnerable adults.
• Lead investigations involving high-risk, life-threatening, publicly scrutinized, or otherwise complex cases, including conducting interviews and coordinating responses with internal and external partners.
• Provide supervisory coverage in the supervisor's absence, including attending and facilitating meetings, providing case consultation, interpreting policies and procedures, and supporting unit operations.
• Prepare investigative findings, reports, and documentation; coordinate with legal counsel and other stakeholders; and provide expert testimony at administrative hearings, depositions, and court proceedings.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Mentoring

Investigations

Communication

Time management

MS Office

Electronic case management systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in social services, criminal law/justice, or allied field

Master's degree in social services, criminal law/justice, or allied field

Tools

MS Office

Electronic case management systems

Job description

The State of Washington, Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) HCLA – Adult Protective Services Lead in Lacey, WA, seeks an experienced Social Service Specialist 4 to provide leadership and expert case management for complex APS investigations.

You will supervise staff, coordinate intakes and investigations of abuse, neglect, or exploitation, and testify in administrative hearings or court as needed, while promoting safety and dignity for vulnerable adults.