DSHS HCLA Adult Protective Service Investigator - Social Service Specialist

DSHS HCLA Adult Protective Service Investigators - Social Service Specialist 3

Bring your investigating skills to advocate and protect vulnerable adults as an Adult Protective Services Investigator within Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA) at the Department of Social and Health Services in Vancouver, WA.

Opportunities in this job classification that perform unannounced visits in unregulated environments, such as private residences, to conduct investigations for allegations of abuse and/or neglect of vulnerable adults, may be eligible for an additional 10% assignment pay in addition to the advertised salary.

In this role, you’ll investigate reports of abandonment, abuse, exploitation, neglect, and self-neglect of vulnerable adults. Your success will be measured by your ability to gather evidence, conduct timely and thorough investigations, and assist people with services that maintain their safety and dignity. This is deeply meaningful work which helps protect vulnerable adults in Washington state.

We need your critical thinking and problem-solving skills to independently investigate reports of abandonment, abuse, exploitation, neglect, and self-neglect of vulnerable adults. Your success will be measured by your ability to gather evidence, conduct timely and thorough investigations, and assist people with services that maintain their safety and dignity.

This is a dynamic field-based social service role that involves traveling within local communities as needed to provide support and assistance. Daily travel may be required.

• Conduct face‑to‑face interviews with alleged victims, alleged perpetrators, and other collateral contacts; travel within communities when needed
• Collect and evaluate relevant information to make decisions related to the investigation, services, and outcomes
• Document all pertinent activity for each investigation and record this electronically using computer software application systems
• Collaborate with law enforcement, judicial entities, families, facilities, local office staff, other regional offices, and community agencies/partners regarding client needs
• Identify and refer at‑risk and vulnerable adults to appropriate service groups
• Provide client advocacy, consultation, networking, family support, and crisis intervention
• Prepare and provide testimony at administrative hearings, court proceedings, and at criminal, civil, and administrative proceedings

• Professionals with a bachelor’s degree or higher in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal law/justice, education, healthcare, or another allied field
• We will consider equivalent experience in social services, human services, healthcare, teaching, criminal law/justice, or other allied fields as a substitution for education

• Experience using Microsoft Office; data‑entry and strong documentation skills
• Knowledge of Medicaid terminology, regulations, and policies
• Adaptability to ever‑changing policies and directions
• Strong critical thinking skills, managing time, and staying focused
• Ability to work autonomously making decisions, sometimes in immediate safety situations, assessing and developing solutions to a variety of critical issues or problems
• Experience assessing risk and safety to vulnerable adults or children is a plus

We will provide formal training courses to give you the training you need to be successful. Your starting salary depends on your qualifications.

A telework and/or flex work schedule may be considered after the training program is completed.

Please contact sharon.sterling.gov or call Talent Acquisition main line  and reference job number 01527.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ 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…