DSHS HCLA Adult Protective Services Supervisor - Social Service Specialist

Overview

Adult Protective Services Supervisor Join the Home and Community Living Administration as a Social Service Specialist 5, to ensure high quality investigations and protective services within Adult Protective Services. We have two positions available in Everett and Renton. In this role, your work helps protect vulnerable adults when safety, dignity and care matter most.

As a front-line supervisor, you will guide and support a team of Social Service Specialists who investigate reports of abuse, neglect, abandonment, exploitation and self-neglect. Your oversight helps ensure investigations are thoughtful, timely and grounded in law and policy, including RCW 74.34, Washington Administrative Code and the Long Term Care Manual. Your steady leadership helps ensure the right response matches the level of risk in each situation.

You will provide leadership to your team by assigning and reviewing work, providing case guidance, strengthening skills through coaching and training, and making hiring and performance decisions. Your work plays a direct role in strengthening Adult Protective Services’ mission to partner with people to access the support, care and protection they need, while helping Washington’s long-term services and supports system remain strong, fair and responsive.

• Supervise a unit of Social Service Specialist staff, providing direction, setting performance expectations, and managing hiring, training, evaluation, and corrective or disciplinary action.
• Lead unit operations by conducting regular team and one-on-one meetings, facilitating case staffings and multidisciplinary team meetings, and ensuring equitable workload distribution.
• Provide policy guidance, training, and clarification on laws, WACs, procedures, and program requirements, offering ongoing feedback and support for staff development.
• Review investigations and case documentation for completeness, accuracy, quality, and compliance, and review and approve cases submitted to the Investigation Review Team (IRT).
• Prepare and analyze reports to monitor trends, distribute workload, correct errors, and support timely, accurate work across the unit.
• Communicate policy and procedure updates, management bulletins, and program changes, ensuring staff remain informed and aligned with current requirements.
• Coordinate with internal and external partners, including other government departments, the Attorney General’s Office, law enforcement, and tribal governments—and address any concerns, escalating major incidents as appropriate.
• Serve as a mandatory reporter, participate in and lead case staffings, provide testimony in administrative or judicial proceedings, and contribute to outreach efforts, committees and special projects.

• 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 justice, or a related field AND one year of paid social service experience equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 3.
• A bachelor’s degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal justice, or a related field AND five years of paid social service experience performing functions equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2.
• A combination of higher education (in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal justice, or a related field) and paid social service experience totaling at least nine years.

* NOTE:

Paid social service experience must include assessing risk and safety to adult/children and providing direct family-centered practice services.

*
* 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.

• Leadership skills:
  The ability to guide, support and coach staff while setting clear expectations and accountability.
• Policy knowledge:
  The ability to understand and apply laws, rules and procedures to real-life situations.
• Critical thinking:
  The…