DSHS HCLA Social Service Specialist 5

About the role

DSHS's Adult Protective Services (APS) investigates reports of abuse, neglect, abandonment, and financial exploitation involving vulnerable adults across Washington state. We are currently hiring for an APS Supervisor to supervise a team of APS investigators in Tacoma.

Responsibilities

• Independently oversee a unit of Social Service Specialists, ensuring they develop a strong foundation in investigative work.
• Train new investigators through every step of the investigative process, providing clear and consistent consultation on case handling.
• 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.
• Recruit, hire, and train new staff.
• Set expectations for job performance, monitor and evaluate staff performance, and take corrective action and complete disciplinary actions.
• 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.

Requirements

• One year of experience as a Social Service Specialist 4.
• Two years of experience as a Social Service Specialist 3.
• Four years of experience as a Social Service Specialist 2.
• 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 bachelor’s degree in Social Services, Human Services, Behavioral Sciences, Criminal Law/Justice or an allied field and five years of paid social service experience equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2.
• Nine years of paid professional/practical social service experience equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2.

Qualifications

• Investigative knowledge: Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the state laws and policies governing adult protective services.
• Leadership: Directs a team through complex casework and maintains consistent professional standards.
• Coaching: Develops staff capabilities through structured training and constructive feedback.
• Communication: Builds strong working relationships with staff, courts, law enforcement, and community partners to coordinate services.
• Trusted professional judgment: Makes sound, independent decisions and resolves staffing or case concerns as they arise.
• Planning: Organizes staff schedules and workload to maintain case progress.
• Adaptability: Works effectively across home visits, care facilities, and office settings.
• Equity and cultural competence: Recognizes and responds to the diverse backgrounds, needs, and circumstances of the vulnerable adults served, and promotes fair, respectful treatment across the unit.

Skills

• Investigative knowledge: Understanding of state laws and policies governing adult protective services.
• Leadership: Ability to direct and maintain professional standards.
• Coaching: Ability to develop staff capabilities through structured training and feedback.
• Communication: Ability to build strong relationships with various stakeholders.
• Trusted professional judgment: Ability to make sound decisions and resolve issues.
• Planning: Ability to organize and manage staff schedules and workload.
• Adaptability: Ability to work effectively in various settings.
• Equity and cultural competence: Ability to recognize and respond to diverse backgrounds and needs.

Benefits

• 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.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $50,000 - $70,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience.

Schedule

The schedule for this position is typically Monday through Friday, with occasional evening and weekend work as needed.