DSHS HCLA Social Service Specialist 5

Full Job Description

DSHS HCLA - Social Service Specialist 5 (APS Supervisor)

Adult Protective Services (APS), within the Home and Community Living Administration (HCLA) of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), provides protective services to vulnerable adults in accordance with RCW 74.34, applicable WACs, and Chapter 6 of the Long-Term Care Manual.

We are currently seeking a strong and motivated leader to serve as an APS Supervisor. In this role, you will train and guide new APS Investigators as they join our team in Tacoma, WA.

As an APS Supervisor, you will independently oversee a unit of Social Service Specialists, ensuring they develop a strong foundation in investigative work.

You will train new investigators through every step of the investigative process, providing clear and consistent consultation on case handling.

Additionally, you will assign, prioritize, audit, and review work assignments on an ongoing basis to ensure compliance with policies and best practices, maximizing the quality of service provided to clients.

This role also involves hiring, training, and evaluating new investigators while identifying coaching and development needs.

You will conduct monthly unit meetings, reinforce APS policies and procedures, and provide continuous support through one-on-one and group training sessions.

If necessary, you will initiate corrective or disciplinary action to maintain high professional standards.

This is a challenging yet rewarding opportunity that allows you to apply your investigative expertise to mentor and support new investigators as they grow into independent, skilled APS professionals.

Join us today—apply your skills and help us partner with people to provide support, care, and resources, empowering individuals to shape their own lives!

Some of what you'll do:

• Independently supervise a unit of Social Service Specialist professionals who investigate reports of abuse, abandonment, neglect, financial exploitation, exploitation, and self-neglect of vulnerable adults, and offer and provides protective services to vulnerable adults.
• Recruit, hire, and train, new staff.
• Set expectations for job performance as well as monitor and evaluate staff performance and adherence to applicable laws, policies, and procedures governing their job assignments and takes corrective action and complete disciplinary actions.
• Conduct regular staff unit and individual meetings.
• Facilitate, lead, and participate in unit meetings, case staffing sessions, and multi-disciplinary team meetings.
• Assign and monitor work for equitable and appropriate work distribution for each individual and within the unit.
• Evaluate training needs of staff and provide coaching, training, and support to each team member as appropriate.
• Provide direction in the areas of time management, organization, and case planning.
• Train and provide clarification to staff in current policy and procedures, long-term care manual, WAC, and Management Bulletins
  

What we're looking for:

• Investigative experience and in-depth knowledge of laws, policies and directives governing services to vulnerable adults within the State of Washington.
• Ability to establish relationships and effectively collaborate, cooperate, and coordinate with peers, clients, constituents, community partners, outside agencies, other members of the community, and internal and external partners, regarding the requirements and services available pertaining to APS.
• Must be able to successfully perform the essential functions as described in the PDF and perform the physical requirements of this position such as traveling and lifting, moving, and transferring equipment (such as a laptop, files, manuals, etc.)
• Ability to identify and evaluate social dynamics affecting client choice and decision making.
• Prior experience or demonstrated ability to supervise multiple staff and maintain the organizational structure.
• Ability to independently assess situations and utilize professional independent judgment.

Who should apply?

• Professionals with 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 Social Service Specialist 2.

OR

• A Master’s degree in Social Services, Human Services, Behavioral Sciences, Criminal Law/Justice or an allied field and four years of paid social service experience equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2.

OR

• A Bachelor’s degree in Social Services, Human Services, Behavioral Sciences, Criminal Law/Justice or an allied field and six years of paid social service experience equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2.

OR

• Ten years of paid professional/practical social service experience equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2.

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.

Interested?

To be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your completed online application:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Three professional references with updated contact information

Additional information:

• Work schedule: Monday - Friday from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
• 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 adult individuals, may be eligible for an additional 10% assignment pay in addition to the advertised salary.
• Pierce County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs.
  

Questions?
Please reach out to DSHS Recruiter Vincent Hamilton at vincent.hamilton@dshs.wa.gov and reference job number #00604.


The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) 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 disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Additional Information

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.

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.


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