Associate Adult Protective Services Case Worker

$24.16 - $36.24 Hourly

$50,248 - $75,372 Annually

This position is a Pay Band C6

Posting Details

The Aging and Long-Term Services Department provides accessible, integrated services to older adults, adults with disabilities, and caregivers to assist them in maintaining their independence, dignity, autonomy, health, safety, and economic well-being, thereby empowering them to live on their own terms in their own communities as productively as possible. Adult Protective Services investigations collect and assess information to determine whether the reported incident of adult abuse, neglect, exploitation, or self-neglect occurred. Investigations assess the immediate safety of the adult and the ability of the individual to self-protect and/or the caregiver¿s ability to protect the adult; also, to assess whether the adult remains at risk for continued abuse, neglect, or exploitation and self-neglect. Finally, assess the need for services, including short-term protective services.

Interviews are expected to be conducted within two (2) weeks of the closing date.


Applications submitted without work experience or a current resume will not be considered. If attaching a resume, resume must include dates of employment for each job and details of job duties.

Please visit our website: New Mexico Aging & Long-Term Services Department | Official Site - New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department - ALTSD


Why does the job exist?

This position exists to support the statewide Adult Protective Services intake function by serving as a first point of contact for reports of alleged abuse, neglect, self-neglect, and exploitation involving adults aged 18 and older. The Adult Protective Services Intake Worker is part of a call center/unit responsible for receiving, documenting, and processing reports. This position ensures that concerns are captured accurately, assessed for urgency, and entered into the APS Case Management System so that appropriate screening, prioritization, and investigative response can occur.


How does it get done?

The Adult Protective Services Intake Worker serves as the first point of contact for reports involving suspected abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults aged 18 and older. This position is responsible for receiving, documenting, and submitting incoming reports in a timely, accurate, and professional manner while ensuring that all information is handled with confidentiality and care.

Key responsibilities include:

Answer and document incoming calls/reports of abuse, neglect, self-neglect, and exploitation involving adults aged 18 and older.
Gather clear and essential information from reporters, including details about the alleged victim, alleged perpetrator, current safety concerns, living conditions, supports, risk factors, and the circumstances surrounding the report.
Assess the level of risk, urgency, and potential danger in each report to support appropriate prioritization and response time frames in accordance with APS policy and state requirements.
Provide reporters with general information regarding the APS process, reporting expectations, confidentiality requirements, and next steps, when appropriate.
Enter complete, accurate, and timely information into the APS Case Management System to ensure reports are properly documented and ready for supervisory review, screening, and assignment.
Communicate effectively with APS investigators, supervisors, regional staff, and other internal team members to support smooth case entry, appropriate routing, and clear handoff of critical information.
Protect confidential client, reporter, and case-related information in accordance with applicable privacy laws, APS policy, and state regulations.
Follow APS policies, procedures, screening guidelines, and state regulations to ensure consistency, accuracy, and quality in the intake process.
Provide immediate guidance, resources, or direction to reporters, clients, or collateral contacts in urgent or high-risk situations, including situations that may require emergency response or referral to law enforcement, emergency medical services, or other appropriate entities.
Maintain professionalism, empathy, and sound judgment when interacting with reporters, families, service providers, community partners, and individuals in crisis.
Stay current on APS policies, procedures, database requirements, intake platforms and best practices to ensure effective intake processing and quality documentation.
Support the overall mission of APS by ensuring that reports are received, assessed, and entered in a manner that promotes timely intervention, client safety, and the least restrictive response possible.
Support with other duties tasked.


Who are the customers?

New Mexico vulnerable adults 18 years and older.


Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate brings a solid academic background in social work, psychology, or a related field, paired with practical experience in community health or case management. Alternatively, they may have a strong professional track record where their combined education and direct experience total four years. A standout applicant is someone with a proven ability to navigate social service matters and work effectively within diverse communities.


Minimum Qualification

Associate degree in social work, education, counseling, psychology, sociology, criminal justice, or family studies from an accredited college/university. Two (2) years of any combination of experience, including working with communities on health or social service-related matters, social work/case management experience, behavioral health, and/or health care. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling three (4) years may substitute for the required education and experience.


Employment Requirements

State travel may be required. Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License. Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification within 90 days of employment. Pre-employment background investigation is required.


Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to Video Display Terminal and extensive personal computer and phone usage. Working Conditions for individual positions in this classification will vary based on each agency¿s utilization, essential functions and the recruitment needs at the time a vacancy is posted. All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.


Supplemental Information

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Agency Contact Information: Flor Navarro View phone number on click.appcast.io or Email: View email address on click.appcast.io Email


For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.

Bargaining Unit Position

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to.