Description

Adult Protective Services is hiring remote Social Service Specialist 3s for those with investigative skills to join our team as Investigative Social Service Specialists. These amazing career opportunities offer you the ability to join a dedicated team focused on protecting Washingtonians.

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. Your knowledge, dedication, and compassion will help us transform lives.

This is mainly a telework job with extensive travel.

We have multiple opportunities where you will be able to choose your preferred travel area(s) in the Supplemental Questions when you apply. Your travel area could be either of the following:

• 
  Pacific County/Long Beach Peninsula: 98614; 98631; 98637; 98640; 98641; 98644
• Clallam County: 98324; 98343; 98362; 98363; 98382

Some of what you will do

• Conduct face-to-face interviews with alleged victims, alleged perpetrators, and other collateral contacts
• Collect and evaluate relevant information to make decisions related to the investigation, services, and outcomes
• Document all pertinent activity for each investigation and record 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, criminal, civil, and administrative proceedings

Who should apply?

Professionals with a bachelor's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal law/justice or an allied field, and 2 years of paid social service experience performing functions equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2.

OR

A master's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal law/justice or an allied field and one year of paid social service experience equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2. (A 2-year master's degree in one of the above fields that included a practicum will be substituted for one year of paid social service experience.)

OR

One year as a Social Service Specialist 2.

As well as one year of paid experience working with vulnerable adults or children assessing risk and determining functional capabilities.

Desired:

• Ability to assess and develop workable solutions on a variety of critical issues or problems
• Good time management skills
• Use of Microsoft Office and data-entry systems
• Strong documentation and communication skills
• Knowledge of Medicaid terminology, regulations, and policies
• Adaptability for ever-changing policies and directions
• Strong critical thinking skills and staying focused
• Ability to work autonomously making decisions, sometimes in immediate safety situations

These jobs require extensive travel.

Interested?
Please complete an online application and include the following:

• Letter of interest
• Three professional references with current contact information, which includes a current direct supervisor

Our Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) mission to Transform 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 mission that you bring an equity, anti-racism, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to create greater access and affirming representation of the communities we serve, 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.

If you have questions about the application process, email Anthony Distefano, Recruiter, at distear@dshs.wa.gov and reference job number 13942

Per Governor Inslees’ Proclamation 21-14 (Download PDF reader) state employees must be fully vaccinated. Your vaccine status will be verified. Please note medical or religious accommodation may be available, once an offer of employment is made.

Supplemental 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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