Adult Protective Services is excited to have Social Service Specialist 3 in-training opportunities in Bremerton, WA for professionals with investigative skills to join our team as Investigative Social Service Specialists. These amazing career opportunities offer you the ability to grow with DSHS and join a dedicated team focused on protecting Washingtonians. We need your critical thinking and problem-solving skills to independently investigate reports of abandonment, abuse, exploitation, neglect, and self-neglect of vulnerable adults. Your success will be measured by your ability to gather evidence, conduct timely and thorough investigations, and assist people with services that maintain their safety and dignity.  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.    Some of what you will do * Conduct face-to-face interviews with alleged victims, alleged perpetrators, and other collateral contacts * 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 If hired as a Social Service Specialist 1 or 2, these duties are performed in training and under close supervision.  Who should apply? Professionals with a bachelor's degree or higher in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal law/justice or an allied field. (We will consider equivalent experience in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, criminal law/justice, or an allied field as a substitution for education.)     Additional education and experience will determine if you are hired as a Social Service Specialist 2 in-training or Social Service Specialist 3. Minimum requirements for the Social Service Specialist 2 level can be found here.   Knowledge, skills, & abilities:  * Ability to assess and develop workable solutions on a variety of critical issues or problems * Good time management skills * Use of Microsoft Office and data-entry systems and strong documentation skills   * Knowledge of Medicaid terminology, regulations, and policies * Adaptability for ever-changing policies and directions * Strong critical thinking skills and stay focused * Ability to work autonomously making decisions, sometimes in immediate safety situations * Experience assessing risk and safety to vulnerable adults or children is a plus New employees will complete a formal training course sponsored by their division within one year of their appointment.   These jobs will require travel to meet business needs.   A telework and/or flex work schedule may be considered after training is completed.   Starting salary depends on your qualifications.  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. Questions? Contact the Recruiter at chirs.pulley@dshs.wa.gov and reference 12243, to learn more about DSHS, go to www.dshs.wa.gov.  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) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.   E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security