DSHS HCLA Social Service Specialist

Overview

DSHS HCLA - Social Service Specialist 5 (APS Supervisor). Adult Protective Services (APS), within the Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA) of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), provides protective services to vulnerable adults in accordance with RCW 74.34, applicable WACs, and Chapter 6 of the Long-Term Care Manual. We are currently seeking a strong and motivated leader to serve as an APS Supervisor.

In this role, you will train and guide new APS Investigators, independently oversee a unit of Social Service Specialists, and ensure the team develops a strong foundation in investigative work. You will assign, prioritize, audit, and review work to ensure compliance with policies and best practices and maximize the quality of service provided to clients. This role also involves hiring, training, evaluating, coaching, and development of staff, and conducting regular unit and individual meetings.

You will initiate corrective or disciplinary action when necessary to maintain high professional standards.

This is a challenging yet rewarding opportunity to apply investigative expertise while mentoring and supporting new investigators as they grow into independent, skilled APS professionals. The position may involve working in Tacoma, WA as part of the assignment.

Join us today—apply your skills and help us partner with people to provide support, care, and resources, empowering individuals to shape their own lives!

• Independently supervise a unit of Social Service Specialists who investigate reports of abuse, abandonment, neglect, financial exploitation, exploitation, and self-neglect of vulnerable adults and provide protective services.
• Recruit, hire, and train new staff.
• Set expectations for job performance and monitor staff adherence to applicable laws, policies, and procedures; take corrective action as needed.
• Conduct regular staff unit and individual meetings.
• Lead and participate in unit meetings, case staffing sessions, and multi-disciplinary team meetings.
• Assign and monitor work for equitable and appropriate distribution within the unit.
• Evaluate training needs and provide coaching, training, and support to each team member.
• Provide direction in time management, organization, and case planning.
• Train staff on current policy and procedures, the long-term care manual, WACs, and Management Bulletins.

• Investigative experience and knowledge of laws, policies, and directives governing services to vulnerable adults in Washington State.
• Ability to establish relationships and collaborate with peers, clients, community partners, outside agencies, and internal/external stakeholders related to APS.
• Ability to perform the essential functions described in the position description and meet physical requirements (travel, lifting/moving equipment such as laptops).
• Ability to identify and evaluate social dynamics affecting client choice and decision making.
• Prior supervisory experience or demonstrated ability to supervise multiple staff and maintain organizational structure.
• Ability to independently assess situations and exercise professional judgment.

• Professionals with one year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 4.
• Two years of experience as a Social Service Specialist 3.
• Four years of experience as a Social Service Specialist 2.
• A Master’s degree in Social Services, Human Services, Behavioral Sciences, Criminal Law/Justice or an allied field and four years of paid social service experience equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2.
• A Bachelor’s degree in Social Services, Human Services, Behavioral Sciences, Criminal Law/Justice or an allied field and six years of paid social service experience equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2.
• Ten 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.

To be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your completed online application:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Th…