Salary: $5,666.00 - $7,622.00 Monthly Location : Cowlitz County - Kelso, WA Job Type: Full Time - Permanent Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid Job Number: 2025-05332 Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services Division: HCLA Opening Date: 08/06/2025 Closing Date: 8/21/2025 11:59 PM Pacific Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step DescriptionDSHS HCLA Adult Protective Service Investigator (APS) is excited to offer an opportunity for an experienced social service investigator to join our (HCLA) team as an APS Investigator. In this role, you will independently investigate reports of abandonment, abuse, exploitation, neglect, and self-neglect affecting adults who require protective services, including people with developmental disabilities. Your work is essential in safeguarding others, ensuring their well-being, and connecting them with supportive resources that uphold their dignity and independence. Success in this job relies on your ability to gather evidence, conduct thorough investigations, and collaborate effectively with individuals, families, and community partners. Opportunities in this job classification that perform unannounced visits in unregulated environments, such as private residences, to conduct investigations for allegations of abuse, or neglect of vulnerable adults, are entitled to a 10% increase in addition to the advertised salary. This is a dynamic field-based social service role that involves traveling within local communities to provide support and assistance. Daily travel is required. This opportunity is located in Kelso, WA. Some of what you will do:
- Conduct face-to-face interviews with alleged victims, alleged perpetrators, and other collateral contacts in various settings, including residential facilities, hospitals, and private homes.
- 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? One year as 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. Or, A Bachelor's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal law/justice or an allied field, and two years of paid social service experience performing functions equivalent to a Social Service Specialist 2. Or, Equivalent combination of education and/or work experience in social services, human services, criminal law/justice or an allied field totaling 6 years will substitute in lieu of degree requirement. *NOTE: Practicum work will be substituted for one year of paid social service experience. Knowledge, skills, and abilities:
- Experience working with vulnerable adults, assessing risks, and making decisions in high-stakes situations.
- Strong investigative skills, including interviewing techniques and the ability to assess medical, psychological, and legal documents.
- The ability to remain calm and decisive in crisis situations and make quick judgments regarding personal and client safety.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, for interacting with diverse stakeholders, including those with mental or physical impairments.
- Proficiency with various software applications (Word, Outlook, etc.) and the ability to learn new programs quickly.
- The physical capability to conduct fieldwork, including traveling between different locations and potentially working outside standard office hours.
- Knowledge of Medicaid terminology, regulations, and policies.
Additional Notes: New employees will complete a formal training course sponsored by their division within one year of their appointment. This role will require travel to meet business needs. A telework and/or flex work schedule may be considered after training is completed. Questions? Email and reference 05332. 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. 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) ###-####. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-###-####. E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security 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 (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 (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 , 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 Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Leave Without Pay Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits. Updated 07-21-2025 01 Which of the following best describes a combination of your education and experience in the social services field?
- I have a bachelor's degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or an allied field and 2 years of social service experience.
- I have the equivalent of 6 or more years of education and/or experience in social services, human services, criminal law/justice or an allied field.
- I have a master's degree or higher and 1-year additional experience in social services, human services, and criminal law/justice.
- One year as a Social Service Specialist 2.
- None of the above applies to me.
Required Question
