Adult Protective Services Social Caseworker

Salary : $61,805.39 - $71,076.20 Annually
Location : Pete Mirelez Human Services Center, 11860 Pecos Street, Westminster, CO
Job Type: Regular Full-time
Job Number: 07250
Department: Human Services
Opening Date: 11/21/2025
Closing Date: Continuous
Our Mission: To responsibly serve the Adams County community with integrity and innovation.
EEO: Adams County is an equal opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status or any other legally protected characteristic.
Position classification: Hybrid -- Job duties and expectations allow for onsite and remote work scheduled every week. Employees in this classification are regularly scheduled onsite one (1) to four (4) days per week based on the County needs and as determined by Department Director. Hybrid classified roles can be onsite more than the set minimum based on employee preference.


What Success Looks Like In This Job
Provide protective services to at-risk adults through investigation of allegations of abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation. The caseworker in this position assists at-risk adults to reside safely in the community, in the least restrictive setting, while protecting their life, dignity, and independence; promoting self-determination, and encouraging maximum self-sufficiency.
Adams County Children and Family Services Guiding Principles

1. We believe in treating everyone with dignity and respect, valuing their input, and striving to do no harm.
2. Honoring all people's unique expertise and perspectives includes collaboration, shared decision making, and providing a safe environment.
3. The best interest of children, families, and our community will always inform our approach, perspectives, and decisions.
4. Children and youth belong in families and have a right to sibling, family, and community connections.
5. Families have the inherent capacity to safely care for their children.
6. We hold ourselves and our system accountable to each other, our families, and our community.

Examples of Duties for Success

• Investigates assigned reports of mistreatment and self-neglect and assesses client's needs through home visits, interviews with client, suspected perpetrator(s), family members, neighbors, and friends. Activates emergency and/or urgent safety interventions when needed. Consults with and makes reports to law enforcement as appropriate.
• Develops individual case plans and prepares, completes, and maintains client records according to county, state, and federal requirements. Assists with arrangement of supportive services for client and monitors effectiveness of casework plan. Documents all contacts using APS case files, and all other forms as required by regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Communicates effectively with at-risk clients, their families, county attorney's office, and outside agencies. Must be able to work with persons in crisis or who are in a state of panic or hostility. Works closely with eligibility benefits program staff, other sections, and external agencies to share information and to make appropriate referrals. Consults and collaborates with community agencies and professionals, including but not limited to: physicians, attorneys, law enforcement, financial institutions, mental health, developmental disabilities, and zoning and code enforcement.
• Initiates probate proceedings for guardianships and conservatorships when such have been determined needed by the supervisor, the team, and the county attorney. Prepares paperwork for court, including but not limited to: completing court reports, obtaining doctor letters on competency, and providing documentation of family involvement and interventions.
• Participates in family meetings and testifies in court hearings.
• Participates on the multi-disciplinary team (M-Team) and on various state and local committees. Participates in weekly unit meetings, state and county sponsored trainings, specific adult protection trainings, CBMS trainings, community education, and other activities as required to improve and enhance job performance.
• Provides coverage of adult protection intake duties on rotating basis with other unit staff. These intake duties involve being available during business hours, via phone or in person, to accept reports of suspected abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation. Intake duties may involve referrals to law enforcement or other community agencies.
• Performs related duties and responsibilities as required.

Qualifications for Success

• Knowledge of Colorado Revised Statutes related to the Protection of At-Risk Adults, the range of protective orders available through the judicial court system, rules and regulations of Volume 30 of the Colorado Department of Human Services.
• Knowledge of disability syndromes (i.e., dementia, physical disabilities, developmental disabilities, mental disabilities, substance abuse, brain injuries, neurological disorders, etc.) and their impact on functioning.
• Knowledge of the practices, principles, and dynamics of adult protection case management and principals of human behavior.
• Ability to determine cognitive capacity and to understand medical diagnoses, medications and their effects on geriatric patients, and to assess and coordinate community resources.
• Knowledge of basic and effective communication techniques, including skill in interviewing techniques.
• Knowledge of public entitlements and benefits that may be available to at-risk adults.
• Knowledge of CBMS as it relates to Adult Protection.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish, maintain and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

More Qualifications for Success
At Adams County, we value workplace flexibility. This role offers both hybrid-remote working arrangements as well as flexible scheduling options.
Experience:

• Two (2) years of full time professional social casework experience, acquired after the degree in a public or private social services agency, in an area appropriate to the position.

Education and Training:

• Bachelor's Degree in one of the human behavioral science fields.
• An MSW may substitute for all of the required experience.
• Proof of education, (degree or transcripts), and license (if candidate has received one) are required.

License or Certificate:

• Colorado Adult Protection Caseworker certification is required, and must be completed within three (3) months of employment, through the Colorado APS Training Academy. Certification through another State will require proof of completion, and may substitute forall or part of the training required by Colorado.
• Possession of a valid driver's License and proof of automotive insurance.

Background Check:

• Must pass a criminal background check.

Ability to obtain, maintain, and ensure continued access to State and County systems in strict compliance with all applicable county and state regulations, policies, and user agreements.


Adams County and the 17th Judicial District Attorney's Office complies with Colorado's Job Application Fairness Act ("JAFA"). JAFA prohibits employers from asking individuals to disclose their age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation on an initial employment application. However, additional application materials such as certifications and transcripts containing this information may be required for certain positions; if such additional materials are requested, applicants may redact information that identifies the applicant's age, date of birth, or dates or attendance or graduation.
Adams County provides a comprehensive benefits package to employees that goes above and beyond what is offered at most organizations.

Benefits You Expect:

• AFLAC Supplemental Medical Insurance
• Basic Term Life & Optional Term Life Insurance
• Deferred Compensation Plan
• Dental/Vision/Medical Plans
• Generous Vacation/Sick leave
• Long-Term Disability
• Retirement Plan
• Short-Term Disability

Plus some you might not expect:

• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Fitness Center
• Employee Health Clinics
• Flexible Work Schedules
• Recreation Center Discounts
• Training & Tuition Reimbursement Programs
• Wellness programs
• Lactation friendly certified workplace

01


Please be aware that your cover letter and resume will not be accessed in the initial screening process, so you must complete your application and supplemental questions with as much detail as possible. Any personally identifiable information (PII) such as name and address will be redacted from applications that meet the minimum screening requirements and are forwarded to the hiring manager. If the hiring manager selects you to advance in the hiring process, your cover letter and resume will then be accessible to the hiring team. Information provided on the application is used to determine if a candidate meets minimum qualifications. Only information provided at the time of the application being completed will be considered and additional information that is not listed on the application will not be considered when deciding if a candidate meets or does not meet the qualifications. Applicants are STRONGLY encouraged to include all information and details on their application. I understand and agree that only information provided at the time of my application will be used to determine if I meet the minimum requirements for this position.

• Yes, I understand and agree
• Yes, I understand but disagree.

02


Please select the option which describes how you meet the minimum qualifications:

• At least Two (2) years of full time professional social casework experience, acquired after the degree in a public or private social services agency, in an area appropriate to the position AND a Bachelor's Degree in one of the human behavioral science fields.
• No experience AND an MSW. (Master's of Social Work may substitute for all of the required experience)
• None of the above.

03


Do you possess or have the ability to possess a Colorado Adult Protection Caseworker certification?This is required, and must be completed within three (3) months of employment, through the Colorado APS Training Academy. Certification through another State will require proof of completion, and may substitute for all or part of the training required by Colorado.

• Yes
• No

04


Do you possess a valid Driver's License and proof of automotive insurance?

• Yes
• No

05


Proof of education: The APS caseworker position requires a Bachelor's degree or higher with an equivalent of thirty (30) semester or forty-five (45) quarter hours in human behavioral sciences or health care related courses, such as: Social work, sociology, psychology, psychiatry, gerontology, nursing, special education, family intervention techniques, diagnostic measures, therapeutic techniques, guidance and counseling, criminal justice, or other human behavioral sciences, or a medical field relevant to the APS program and/or at-risk adults.Have you attached your degree or transcripts?

• Yes
• No

Required Question