DSHS HCLA APS Social Service Specialist

Adult Protective Services Supervisor (Social Service Specialist
5)

Join the Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA) in Renton as a Social Service Specialist 5 and help ensure high‑quality investigations and protective services within Adult Protective Services (APS). The role directly supports the safety, dignity, and well‑being of vulnerable adults.

• Supervise a unit of Social Service Specialists, 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 approve cases submitted to the Investigation Review Team.
• 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, keeping staff 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—to address concerns and, when necessary, to elevate major incidents.
• Serve as a mandatory reporter, 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.
• Paid social service experience must include assessing risk and safety to adults/children and providing direct family‑centered practice services.
• Master’s degree with a practicum may substitute for one year of paid social service experience.

Competitive benefits package includes medical (including vision), dental, and basic life insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement through the Washington Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS); paid leave (holiday, sick, and vacation); and opportunities for vacation accrual and special assignment pay. Additional benefits such as reproductive health, disability, and arts and culture are available.

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 identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, veteran status, presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, the use of a trained dog guide or service animal, equal pay, or genetic information.

Persons requiring accommodation in the application process may contact the recruiter for assistance.