Adult Protective Service Specialist - job 1 of 2

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The Oregon Department of Human Services is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are guided by our Equity North Star and our vision for a positive RiSE organizational culture that advances equity and diversity. We encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, racial/ethnic groups, LGBTQIA2S+ community members, and others to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.

OPPORTUNITY AWAITS!

In a role dedicated to safeguarding the most vulnerable members of our society, you will play a crucial part in assessing and addressing the needs of seniors and individuals with disabilities, ensuring their protection against abuse and neglect.

SUMMARY OF DUTIES

In this position you will have the responsibility to provide protective services to older adults and to adults with physical disabilities whose situation is within Aging and People with Disabilities’ jurisdiction to investigate.  This person is responsible for conducting intakes of abuse as indicated by Oregon Administrative Rule, 411-020; completing investigations and risk management; providing prevention, protection, and intervention for older adults and adults with physical disabilities who are unable to protect themselves from abuse and self-neglect.

Major duties include:

• Conduct screening interviews by phone or in-person with victims and community members reporting abuse or self-neglect of an older adult or adult with physical disabilities. During screening and triage, conduct a preliminary assessment of the alleged victim’s safety, possible risks to the investigator or other factors; determine need for emergency intervention. Coordinate actions with law enforcement, District Attorneys, or other community partners to arrange for victim’s safety and security.

• Investigate complaints of abuse, neglect, or self-neglect. Plan the scope and direction of the investigation. Conduct in person and phone interviews with the alleged victims, alleged perpetrators, and witnesses. Review documents and records such as medical or financial records. Evaluate and organize evidence. Collect and analyze physical and documentary evidence. Address issues that arise during the investigation through problem solving, protective services or referrals. Determine relevance, reliability, and credibility of gathered information and evidence.

• Conduct home visits in both community and facility settings to assess and monitor living and safety conditions. Intervene in situations where adults are at high risk of abuse or neglect within their living situations.

• Decide when appropriate to refer to law enforcement personnel.

• Evaluate the victim’s support systems, capacity to remain healthy and safe and ability to protect his or her own interests. Develop and manage intervention plans that arrange for needed services, alternative living arrangements in the community-based care systems, or personal care. Monitor the risk of individuals who are alleged victims of abuse, neglect or self-neglect.

• Provide investigative information on criminal cases when needed. Testify in court before grand jury, trials and hearings. Give sworn depositions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A Bachelor's Degree in the human, social, behavioral or criminal sciences and two years human service, law enforcement or investigative experience;

OR

an Associate's Degree in the human, social, behavioral or criminal sciences and four years human service, law enforcement or investigative experience

Three years professional level experience related to the position may substitute for the Bachelor's degree; 18 months for an Associates.

ESSENTIAL ATTRIBUTES

We are looking for candidates who have:

• Experience building collaborative relationships with community partners, agency staff and members of the public.

• Experience demonstrating the ability to assess situations, analyze information, and make informed decisions to protect the population we serve.

• Experience conducting interviews as part of an investigation.

• Experience adopting trauma-informed practices that consider individual needs, safety, trust-building, and cultural sensitivity.

• Experienced in effective communication with individuals via telephone and face-to-face interactions.

• Proficient in navigating technology, inputting, and retrieving data, and using various computer systems or databases.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS & REQUIREMENTS

Your work history profile, cover letter, and resume are the perfect opportunity to highlight your interest in the position and demonstrate your skills, lived and/or work experience that shows you are an excellent candidate for the position.

• Please upload a resume or complete the work history profile. Please make sure your application materials, resume and job history, are clearly outlined as this information will be used to determine your starting salary range. Note: Your resume and cover letter may be uploaded in the Resume/CV field on the online application.  If you have completed a degree, do please make note of that.

• Current State of Oregon employees: Apply via your employee Workday account.

• If you are not a current State of Oregon employee, view this application instructional video.

• After you submit your application, you will have additional tasks to complete in Workday. Please continue to check your Workday account throughout the recruitment process.

• The use of outside resources such as Artificial Intelligence software during applicant skill assessments, examinations, and/or interviews is prohibited unless otherwise stated by the hiring agency. Unauthorized use of outside resources during the hiring process will result in disqualification.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Regular attendance is an essential function required to meet the demands of this job and to provide necessary services.

Adult Protective Service Specialists may be subjected to verbal abuse and assaultive threats made by angry and hostile individuals. This position will usually work a standard work week. Occasional subpoenas and court requirements can be required on short notice. Must be able to drive to and meet individuals in their own homes, other community settings, nursing homes, hospitals, or other care settings. Requires some out of town or overnight travel for training and working out-of-town cases. In rural areas, some travel may be a daily requirement. May involve driving in inclement conditions. Potential exposure to illness and disease through direct contact with clients. May be exposed to unsanitary conditions. Work closely with individuals who may have difficulty receiving, processing or verbalizing information necessary to make informed choices and decisions.

BACKGROUND CHECKS AND REQUIREMENTS

• If selected as a finalist, we will conduct a criminal history and background check. Adverse criminal history or background check may lead to disqualification. Additional background check information.

• The Oregon Department of Human Services does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. ODHS will use E-Verify to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.

BENEFITS

• ODHS Employee Resource Group communities that promote shared learning.

• Cost of Living Adjustments.

• Annual salary increases (until you reach the top of the listed salary range).

• Amazing benefits package.

• Possible eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

EMPLOYMENT PREFERENCE

Veterans’ preference:

• Veterans’ preference information.

• How to submit your Veteran documents for preference. Please do not attach your Veterans’ preference documentation in the Resume/CV field of your application.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• This is a permanent, full-time position and is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).  

• This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies in the same classification.

CONTACT INFORMATION

We invite you to contact ADA.DHS@dhsoha.state.or.us for accommodation requests under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), application questions or job-specific questions.

• The recruiter for this position is Amy Acree. If you contact the recruiter, please include the job requisition (REQ) number listed at the top of this job post.

• Email: amy.acree@odhs.oregon.gov