DSHS HCLA Adult Protective Services Supervisor

Responsibilities

• Supervise a unit of Social Service Specialists, providing direction, setting performance expectations, managing hiring, training, evaluation, and corrective/disciplinary actions.
• Lead unit operations by conducting team and one‑on‑one meetings, facilitating case staffings and multidisciplinary team meetings, ensuring equitable workload distribution.
• Provide policy guidance, training, and clarification on laws, WACs, procedures, and program requirements; offer ongoing feedback and support for staff development.
• Review intakes, investigations, and case documentation for completeness, accuracy, quality, and compliance; 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 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, OR
• Two years of experience as a Social Service Specialist 3, OR
• Four years of experience as a Social Service Specialist 2, OR
• 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, OR
• 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, OR
• A combination of higher education and paid social service experience totaling at least nine years.

• Leadership: guide, support, coach staff while setting clear expectations and accountability.
• Policy knowledge: understand and apply laws, rules and procedures to real‑life situations.
• Critical thinking: review investigations, spot issues and help staff determine next steps.
• Emotional intelligence: navigate conflict, de‑escalate tense situations and have difficult conversations with care.
• Communication: explain expectations, give feedback and share information clearly in writing and conversation.
• Decision‑making: assess complex situations, weigh risk and make sound judgments under pressure.
• Collaboration:
  
  work effectively with partners inside and outside the agency.
• Technology: comfort using standard computer systems and learning new tools and software as needed (DSHS systems such as CARE, ACES Online, Barcode, payment/service authorization systems).

• Work Schedule:
  
  8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
• Opportunity for assignment pay (up to 10%) for unannounced visits in private residences to investigate allegations of abuse and/or neglect.

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 (360) 725‑5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7‑1‑1 or 1‑800‑833‑6384.

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.

E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Questions? Please reach out to DSHS Recruiter Saleen Hernandez nandez.gov and reference job number #04691.