DSHS HCLA Adult Protective Services Lead - Social Service Specialist 4

About the Department

DSHS HCLA Adult Protective Services Lead - Social Service Specialist 4
 
DSHS's Home and Community Living Administration is hiring for an Adult Protective Services Lead to join our Central Intake team in Lacey, WA. Adult Protective Services processes and investigates reports of abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation involving vulnerable adults across Washington. This role leads some of the most difficult cases in Thurston County: cases where someone's safety is at risk, where the public is watching closely, or where several parties are involved with competing interests.

The work takes place in homes, care facilities, and hospitals throughout the community. You will interview vulnerable adults and the people connected to their care, gather evidence, and reach findings that can have important outcomes. A substantiated finding can keep someone from working with vulnerable adults or children in the future, so the process has to be careful and fair every time.

This role also strengthens the team around it. Other intake specialists will bring their questions to you, from case strategy to policy interpretation, and your guidance helps them build the skills and confidence to handle their own caseloads well.  This position also will complete intakes and perform advanced level specialized case management in conducting complex investigations of abandonment, abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, personal exploitation, or self neglect of vulnerable adults who are eighteen and over.

Some of what you will do: 

• Provide on the job training, mentoring, feedback, coaching and consultation to veteran level staff and lower who complete intakes and conduct investigations in the community and in licensed and/or certified settings
• Conducts classroom and on the job training and assistance with staff in formal training plans who are transitioning to intake and fieldwork
• Provides social services professional staff with guidance and direction on:

  •  Case actions

  •  Appropriate assessment and intervention techniques

  •  Applicable and appropriate community and departmental resources

  •  Caseload and time management
    
    

• In conjunction with the supervisor, assigns and audits work, triages intake reports, detects error trends, identifies training needs, and reviews case actions for accuracy and provides feedback for annual performance evaluation
• Provides coverage of assigned caseloads in the absence of a social service specialist
• Coordinate with AAG office attorneys
• Perform other duties as assigned

Who should apply? Those who meet one of the following qualifications:
One year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 3.
OR
Three years of experience as a Social Service Specialist 2.
OR
A bachelor’s degree or higher in social services, criminal law/justice, or a related field AND four years of experience as a Social Service Specialist 2**.
OR
A master’s degree* in social services, criminal law/justice, or a related field AND two years of paid social service experience equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2**. 
OR
Eight years of equivalent combination of education and/or work experience closely related to adult protective services investigations in social services, human services, criminal law/justice or an allied field will substitute in lieu of degree requirement.
 
*A two-year Master's degree in one of the above fields that included a practicum may substitute for one year of paid social service experience.
**Paid Social Service experience must include assessing risk and safety to children and providing direct family-centered practice services.
 
Employees must successfully complete the formal training course sponsored by their division within one year of their appointment.
 
What we're looking for: 

• Investigative judgment: Assesses complex or unclear situations and makes sound decisions, even when accounts conflict or information is limited.
• Communication: Conducts interviews on difficult subjects and adapts the approach to ensure understanding. Utilizes communication aids and interpreters when needed.
• Crisis response: Recognizes risk early and de-escalates tense situations while keeping everyone safe.
• Time management: Organizes a full caseload of urgent, sensitive cases and consistently meets deadlines.
• Writing: Produces clear, accurate documentation that holds up in legal and administrative settings.
• Mentoring: Guides newer investigators through case decisions and policy questions, building their confidence over time.
• Policy knowledge: Applies appropriate laws, and Adult Protective Services policy accurately in daily casework.
• Equity and cultural competence: Understands how culture, disability, trauma and life circumstances shape a person's choices, and treats every client with fairness and respect.

Additional Information:

• This role will utilize a hybrid structure of telework and in-person as business needs require

AND

• 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

Interested? Apply today!
 
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 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.
 
Questions? 
Please reach out to DSHS Recruiter [email protected] or call Talent Acquisition main line (360) 725-5810 and reference job number 07005.

Other Qualifications

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.

Relationship and Reporting Structure (Nepotism) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here. Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position. 



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Benefits

More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note:  If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits. 

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS).  New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs.  For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP).  This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays 
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday. 

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave 
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave. 

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.  

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave 
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026

Agency Information

EmployerState of WashingtonAddress View Job Posting for Agency Information

View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504 Website http://www.careers.wa.gov