Adult Protective Services Specialist

Job Description:We look for individuals in our organization who are passionate about our mission and values, and providing excellent customer service. We value our employees, working closely with them to help them be successful.  We value the people we provide services to, ensuring they receive the highest quality of customer service. Balance is required in this job!  Balance the need for and individual's safety with their right to make choices about their own care.  Balance field work investigating potential abuse with report writing and paperwork needs.  Recruitment #:219-04-24
Closes:       Open Until Filled (Last day for internal lateral transfer: 4/15/24)
Location: Warrenton, OR
Salary:   $5,034per month, with excellent benefits (Please see below).
Agency Sponsored: Medical/Dental 100% paid for employee and 90-98% for dependents: generous Paid-time off, Public Employee Retirement (PERS), Employee Assistance Plan, Long Term Disability, great culture.
Employee paid: Deferred Compensation, Life Insurance, Short Term Disability, Colonial Life Supplemental Plans, Legal Shield.
General Description Investigate and report allegations of abuse against people with disabilities and older adults, as required under state and federal mandate.
Essential Functions Investigates complaints or allegations of abuse, neglect, financial exploitation and serious self-neglect involving seniors, age 65 years and older, and persons with physical disabilities, age 18 years and olderPerforms assessments for case planning and interventionCompletes a written report that encompasses the evidence gathered during the investigationConducts investigations into allegations in facility settingsPromotes person centered servicesProtects consumers and reduces Agency riskProvides excellent service in a professional manner1.    Investigates complaints or allegations of abuse, neglect, financial exploitation and serious self-neglect involving seniors, age 65 years and older, and persons with physical disabilities, age 18 years and older. Perform overall assessment of the consumer's physical, social, psychological, environmental, and financial situationConduct unannounced interviews with all pertinent parties within the mandated timeframeInterview potential witnesses and gather evidence pertinent to the investigationDevelop and implement protective services intervention plans using the least intrusive methods possibleMaintain confidentiality of the information gathered during the investigation in accordance to the Oregon Administrative Rules and Oregon Revised Statutes2.    Performs assessments for case planning and intervention Work closely with other disciplines towards resolution of abuse/neglect casesParticipate in the monthly Multi-Disciplinary Team Meeting to build collaborative relationships with Community PartnersGather evidence for civil and criminal court proceedings; provide testimony as requiredDetermine the nature and extent of endangerment and implement protective measures to prevent further abuse from occurringProvide in-service training to facility staff regarding mandatory reporting of abuse/neglect3.    Completes a written report that encompasses the evidence gathered during the investigation Review the information and make a determination as to whether or not the allegation occurred and if wrongdoing is substantiated or unsubstantiated based on a preponderance of evidenceEnsure the report is completed within the designated timeframe4.    Conducts investigations into allegations in facility settings Review and gather facility documentation to determine abuse and/or neglect in accordance with Oregon Administrative RulesConduct interviews with staff and facility administration to gather relevant informationUnderstand and interpret Medications Administration Records, Physician's Orders, Care Plans, Progress Notes, etc. to determine if the facility provided care in accordance with the rulesWork collaboratively with APD during investigations to ensure resident safety in facilities5.    Promotes person centered services  Embrace and exhibit the Agency Mission and Core ValuesUnderstand the role of consumer choiceInteract with the public, consumers, co-workers and others in a patient, respectful and culturally appropriate mannerEducate self and others of resources available for populations served, including researching electronic and written materials and Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon resource databaseUnderstand other Agency resources and accessing resources and assistance to consumers as needed6.    Protects consumers and reduces Agency risk   Follow policies, regulations and requirements of project and Agency; document plan and progress as requiredServe as a Mandatory Reporter of suspected abuse of vulnerable populations as required by policy and regulationMaintain and sharing information according to privacy regulations7.    Provides excellent service in a professional manner Meet the needs of consumers, follow through, meeting deadlines, and maintain skills and knowledge to perform the jobApply the required knowledge and skills and exhibit critical thinking and problem solvingExhibit good decision making, problem solving and work habitsMeet quality standards in accuracy, judgment, timeliness and following policy and procedureExhibit good work habits, including organizational skills, regular attendance, working independently, seeking and offering assistance when neededExhibit technology skills related to the work needing to be done, (word processing, spreadsheets, database, internet research, mail, IM, phones, copiers, etc.)Regular attendance to meet the demands of this job and provide necessary services.Supervisory Responsibilities None
Experience and Skills:Minimum Qualifications – Experience and Education A qualified applicant will have a minimum of four (6) years of equivalent combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities required.  The following qualifications meeting the minimum requirements will be considered:
Bachelor's degree in social sciences, humanities, or liberal artsTwo years of experience in social service or service-related work, OR three years of    experience working or volunteering with seniors and/or people with disabilities(For Bilingual positions only)
Successful completion of a language proficiency testKnowledge, Skills, and Abilities Protective Services Workers must have the following job-specific skills, knowledge and the ability to:
Make decisions regarding safety of any situation, for self and others, prior to conducting an investigationUse judgment to determine when law enforcement contact is needed, and determine when EMT or ambulance assistance is needed Knowledge of the social model underlying adult protective services and an understanding of the theory of adult protectionKnowledge of federal and state laws and Oregon Administrative Rules pertaining to adult protective services and the ability to research and interpret these regulationsKnowledge of, and commitment to, rules governing consumer confidentiality, mandatory reporting, provider records, and investigationsKnow local resources to assist with planning for interventions and support for victimsHave knowledge of legal requirements regarding guardianship, conservatorship, power of attorney, restraining orders, and advance directivesKnowledge of social casework methods and techniques, and their application to individual cases including problems of placement in care facilitiesGeneral understanding of the principles of gerontology and the ability to work effectively with consumers and to use good judgment in handling individual case problemsKnowledge of functions and scope of public and private agencies, law enforcement agencies, and facilities providing social support services to seniors and to people with disabilitiesKnowledge of sources for obtaining case data and ability to analyze and evaluate case dataPrepare concise and complete case records and related reports; prepare and provide testimony at hearingsPerform competent, holistic, assessments of adults in high risk situations and effectively interview people to secure specific types of information, including investigative interviewing with potentially uncooperative intervieweesDe-escalate volatile and difficult situations to ensure the safety of the consumersWorking knowledge of, and the ability to apply basic word processing applications, basic spreadsheet applications, basic database applications, basic communication applications (e-mail), and other general office computer applicationsProvide outreach services such as serving on committees, multi-disciplinary teams, and speaking to community groupsProtective Services Workers must have the following general skills, including the ability to:
Understand and interpret applicable policies and apply them to problem-solving and decision-making in order to serve external and internal customersApply the knowledge and skills in a timely, accurate, and efficient manner to meet deadlinesWork with minimal supervision, and manage a high volume of work with critical deadlinesOrganize and prioritize work to meet required time timeframesMulti-taskCollaborate and coordinate with othersBuild relationships and networkExhibit excellent interpersonal communication and listening skillsExhibit good judgment, and use courtesy and tactMaintain professionalism and composure when met with potentially hostile and/or irrational behaviorSpeak, read, write, and understand EnglishIntermediate computer skills and ability to use word processing, database applications, and e-mailFollow verbal and written instructionKnow and commit to abide by rules governing consumer confidentiality and mandatory reporting(For Bilingual positions only)
Ensure Non-English speaking consumers receive services Communicate with and provide services to consumers whose primary language skills are non-EnglishServe as an interpreter for the Agency in the identified language pair, including oral and written, interpreting and explaining forms, rules, policies, etc. Translate written materialsProtective Services Workers must have the following skills, including the ability to:
Support the agency's mission, ethics, and valuesSecure and maintain a valid driver's license in the state of Oregon, or an acceptable alternative means of transportationCommit to regular attendance as it is required to meet the demands of this jobPass a criminal background check successfullyMaintain and share information according to privacy regulationsComplete necessary work as assignedWork Environment and Physical Demands Protective Services Workers typically work in an office environment.  They:
Use a computer, telephone, and other office equipmentNeed to tolerate and be able to work where the noise level is that of a typical officeTravel to consumers' homes (in an agency or personal vehicle)May encounter frequent interruptions throughout the work dayAre regularly required to sit, talk, or hearUse repetitive hand motionsMust be able to handle objects and sustain a sense of touchMust be able to stand, walk, reach, and bendMust be able to lift up to 20 poundsContact with the public in home or office environments may risk exposure to people with irrational/hostile behavior, contagious diseases, or contact with domestic animals.                
The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Other Requirements To be successful, candidates must:
Secure and maintain a valid Oregon driver's license or have an acceptable alternative means of transportationAttend work regularly to meet the demands of this job and to provide necessary servicesComplete and pass a criminal background check Supervisory Responsibilities None
Classification: Adult Protective Services Specialist Bilingual Adult Protective Services Specialist Position Number: Varies Salary Range:  R21/R22 for bilingual FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Unit: APS and Licensing Location: Varies Reports to: APS and Licensing Manager Union Status: Represented Last Revision: March 2024 This job description is a general guide for the job to be performed and does not cover everything. Employees may be required to perform other duties, including covering for, and in, other offices. Employees are expected to follow and perform other job-related duties requested by their manager.
Reasonable accommodations will be made as needed.
Job descriptions are subject to change.