DSHS HCLA Adult Protective Services Lead - Social Service Specialist 4

DSHS HCLA – Adult Protective Services Lead (Social Service Specialist 4) Are you an experienced social services professional who enjoys supporting others while making a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable adults? The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), Home and Community Living Administration is seeking an Adult Protective Services (APS) Lead to join our team in Lacey, WA.

In this role, you will provide leadership, coaching, and guidance to Social Service Specialist staff while completing intakes and performing advanced level specialized case management in conducting complex investigations of abandonment, abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, personal exploitation, or self-neglect of vulnerable adults who are eighteen and over. You’ll help strengthen intake practices, support staff development, and ensure consistent high-quality services. As a senior resource for the team, you’ll also take the lead on high-risk and high-profile intakes, helping vulnerable individuals and ensure their safety, dignity, and well-being.

Some of what you'll do:

• 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.

Desired skills, knowledge, and abilities:

• Ability to independently conduct complex investigations and assessments, evaluate allegations of abuse, neglect, exploitation, and self-neglect, and apply applicable RCW, WAC, and departmental policies.
• Ability to exercise sound professional judgment, assess risk, make informed decisions, and develop appropriate interventions in high-risk, complex, and crisis situations.
• Skill in de-escalating conflict, managing hostile or volatile situations, maintaining personal safety, and communicating effectively with individuals experiencing challenging circumstances.
• Ability to provide coaching, mentoring, case consultation, and constructive feedback while supporting staff development, quality assurance, and consistent investigative practices.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including interviewing individuals with diverse backgrounds or communication needs, working with interpreters, resolving conflicts, and preparing professional reports and correspondence.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and manage complex caseloads and competing deadlines while adapting to emergencies, changing priorities, and unit coverage needs.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and electronic case management systems, including the ability to maintain accurate records, analyze case information, and learn agency databases and software applications.

Who should apply?

• 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.

Additional information:

• This role will utilize a hybrid structure of telework and in-person as business needs require

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.

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 View phone number on click.appcast.io. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Relationship and Reporting Structure 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.