Adult Protection Specialist

The mission of the Louisiana Department of Health is to protect and promote health and to ensure access to medical, preventive, and rehabilitative services for all residents of the State of Louisiana.

Learn more about Louisiana Department of Health

This position may be filled in the following parishes:
Lafourche, Terrebonne

Make a meaningful difference in the lives of Louisiana’s vulnerable adults! As an Adult Protective Services Investigator, you will investigate allegations of abuse, neglect, exploitation, and self-neglect, advocate for individuals at risk, and coordinate critical services to protect their safety and well-being. Join a dedicated team where your investigative skills, compassion, and commitment to public service help protect vulnerable adults, connect them with essential resources, and promote safer communities across Louisiana.

• Four years of social services experience; OR
• Six years of full-time work experience plus one year of social services experience; OR
• A bachelor's degree plus one year of social services experience; OR
• A master's degree in social work, a social science, education, counseling or vocational rehabilitation.

Every 30 semester hours earned from an accredited college or university will be credited as one year of experience towards the six years of full-time work experience in any field. The maximum substitution allowed is 120 semester hours which substitutes for a maximum of four years of experience in any field.

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

• Conduct intake interviews, investigations, and assessments of allegations of abuse, neglect, self-neglect, exploitation, and extortion involving vulnerable adults.
• Evaluate clients’ living environments, physical and mental capacity, personal circumstances, and risk factors to determine safety concerns and the need for crisis intervention.
• Coordinate emergency interventions and protective services, including temporary shelter, medical or mental health evaluations, respite services, and removal of alleged perpetrators when necessary.
• Develop, implement, and monitor individualized service plans in collaboration with healthcare professionals, service providers, family members, and community agencies to reduce risks and address immediate and long-term needs.
• Maintain confidential case files, document investigative findings, enter and update case information, and prepare reports to support case management and program compliance.
• Collaborate with law enforcement, district attorneys, courts, and legal professionals to pursue appropriate legal actions, prepare affidavits, and provide testimony in court proceedings when required.
• Participate in professional training, provide guidance to colleagues and community partners, and conduct educational presentations on adult abuse, neglect, exploitation, and Adult Protective Services procedures.

Location: Office of Aging and Adult Services / Headquarters / Multiple Parishes:
Lafourche, Terrebonne

Appointment Type: This position may be filled as a Job appointment (temporary appointment that may last up to 48 months)

Cost Center:

Position Number(s): 152543

Career Progression: This position may be filled as an Adult Protection Specialist1, 2, or 3 determined by the qualifications of the candidate selected. This position provides the opportunity to advance within this job series.

Compensation: This position is eligible for Premium Pay of an additional $2.00/hr for hours worked.

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LA Department of Health (LDH)

Division of Human Resources

PO Box 4818

Baton Rouge, LA

This organization participates in E-verify, and for more information on E-verify, please contact DHS at

LDH supports Louisiana’s commitment to being a State as a Model Employer (SAME) by promoting the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.

Information on the Louisiana Works, Louisiana Rehabilitation Services is available here.

LDH is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to recruit a highly productive and diverse workforce and will provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and prospective employees. Employment decisions shall be based strictly on merit and without regard to religious or political beliefs, sex, race, or any other non‑merit factor.