Salary : $74,748.00 - $100,488.00 Annually
Location : Pierce County - Tacoma, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Job Number:Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services
Division: HCLA
Opening Date: 08/13/2026
Closing Date: 8/23/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step
Description DSHS HCLA Adult Protective Services Lead / Social Service Specialist 4DSHS's 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 OR
Three years of experience as a
OR
A bachelor's degree or higher in social services, criminal law/justice, or a related field AND four years of experience as a **.
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 **.
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 course sponsored by their division within one year of their appointment.
What we're looking for: - Investigative judgment: Assesses complex or unclear situations and makes sound decisions, even when accounts conflict or information is limited.
- Communication: Conducts interviews on difficult subjects and adapts the approach to ensure understanding. Utilizes communication aids and interpreters when needed.
- Crisis response: Recognizes risk early and de-escalates tense situations while keeping everyone safe.
- Time management: Organizes a full caseload of urgent, sensitive cases and consistently meets deadlines.
- Writing: Produces clear, accurate documentation that holds up in legal and administrative settings.
- Mentoring: Guides newer investigators through case decisions and policy questions, building their confidence over time.
- Policy knowledge: Applies appropriate laws, and Adult Protective Services policy accurately in daily casework.
- Equity and cultural competence: Understands how culture, disability, trauma and life circumstances shape a person's choices, and treats every client with fairness and respect.
Interested? Apply today!
Questions? Please reach out to DSHS Recruiter Georgina Pringle at and reference job number #06646.
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
Relationship and Reporting Structure (Nepotism) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here. Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.
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