Adult Protective Service Worker Senior

General Description

The Adult Protective Service Worker Senior positions perform work involving cases of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults, as well as serving as legal guardians or health care surrogates. These positions involve leading investigations, assessments, and interventions, providing social casework, family intervention services, and access to support services.

Responsibilities

• Attending ongoing training to develop knowledge of State and Federal social welfare laws, rules, regulations, and evolving protocols regarding abuse and neglect.
• Conducting investigations concerning allegations of abuse or neglect through interviews and observations, and reviewing relevant records.
• Making initial assessments of the validity of allegations and the level of danger faced by affected individuals, documenting findings.
• Completing assessments to identify dynamics and problems contributing to abuse or neglect situations, developing interventions to strengthen families.
• Engaging families in counseling, referring them to additional resources, and monitoring safety and risk of further abuse or neglect.
• Filing petitions with the court as necessary to ensure client safety, testifying before the court, and making appropriate placements of adults.
• Evaluating the progress of families or living environments towards meeting safety/service/treatment plans, modifying plans as needed, and discharging cases.
• Taking, evaluating, and approving customer applications for services, maintaining active cases for various programs, and managing caseloads for the adult population.

Requirements

• Valid WV driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written.
• Maintain detailed case records and extensive documentation.
• Overtime hours and frequent travel may be required.
• Successful completion of a background check is required for employment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Three (3) years of full-time or equivalent part-time experience in adult services in a public or private health and human services agency.
• Additional education may substitute for the required experience based on a year-for-year basis or as determined by the Office of Shared Administration Equivalency Chart.

Special Requirements

• Valid driver’s license.
• Accessibility to a phone.

About the Organization

The Bureau for Social Services champions the security, permanence, and welfare of children and vulnerable adults, empowering individuals and strengthening families. This organization operates under the West Virginia Department of Human Services, focusing on facilitating access to crucial healthcare, essential social services and benefits, and fostering safe, supportive, and healthy environments for at-risk populations.