DSHS HCLA Adult Protective Services Lead - Social Service Specialist 4
State of WashingtonAbout the role
Posting number: 2026-06646
Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services
Division: HCLA
Job classification: SOCIAL SERVICE SPECIALIST 4
Posting type: Open & Promotional
Categories: Community Services, Social Services
Summary
DSHS HCLA Adult Protective Services Lead / Social Service Specialist 4DSHS's Home and Community Living Administration is hiring for a Adult Protective Services Lead to join our team in Tacoma, WA. Adult Protective Services investigates reports of abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation involving vulnerable adults across Washington. This role leads some of the most difficult cases in Pierce 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 investigators 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.
Pierce County employees are eligible toreceive an Orca Card for transportation needs.
Some of what you will do:
- Lead investigations into abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of vulnerable adults, including cases with public visibility or legal complexity.
- Interview vulnerable adults in their homes, care facilities, hospitals, and other community settings.
- Interview people alleged to have caused harm, along with witnesses and other contacts, to build a complete picture of each case.
- Manage cases involving guardianship, conservatorship, or protective orders, and coordinate with legal staff.
- Prepare and deliver testimony at hearings, court proceedings, and depositions, representing the agency as a subject matter expert.
- Cover another investigator's caseload when needed so cases keep moving.
- Coach and mentor newer staff on case decisions, policy questions, and time management.
- Represent the agency at case staffing meetings with partners such as law enforcement, medical providers, and financial institutions, while protecting client confidentiality.
- Track case trends, identify training needs, and report findings to your supervisor.
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
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