ADULT PROTECTION SPECIALIST 1 - 3

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ADULT PROTECTION SPECIALIST 1 - 3

Salary

$3,186.00 - $5,734.00 Monthly

Location

New Orleans, LA

Job Type

Classified

Job Number

OAAS/DPT/196893

Department

LDH-Office of Aging & Adult Services

Opening Date

07/02/2024

Closing Date

7/9/2024 11:59 PM Central

• Description

• Benefits

• Questions

Supplemental Information

The Louisiana Department of Health is dedicated to fulfilling its mission through direct provision of quality services, the development and stimulation of services of others, and the utilization of available resources in the most effective manner.

LDH serves as a model employer for individuals with disabilities.

This position is located within the Louisiana Department of Health / Office of Aging and Adult Services / Headquarters / Orleans Parish

Announcement Number: OAAS/DPT/196893

Cost Center: 3201033001

Position Number(s): 152543

This vacancy is being announced as a Classified position and will be filled as a Job appointment.

(Job appointments are temporary appointments that may last up to 48 months).

No Civil Service test scoreis required in order to be considered for this vacancy.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Software programs preferred.

Adult Protection Specialist 1-3

OCCUPATIONAL SUMMARY:

This position serves as the Adult Protective Services Specialist 1-3in the Office of Aging and Adult Services in the Louisiana Department of Health. The incumbent is responsible for conducting investigations of reported allegations of abuse, neglect, exploitation, and extortion of vulnerable adults residing in community settings, state-operated facilities, and/or unlicensed group home settings.

This position performs highly complex duties mandated by La R.S. 14:403.2 and La R.S. 15:1501-11, requiring the application of adult protective services program knowledge and skills in the areas of 1) determining if reports meet the criteria for services, 2) investigating reports of abuse/neglect/exploitation, 3) assessing disabled adults in at-risk situations, 4) determining what services or remedies are needed and developing and initiating appropriate interventions to alleviate the abuse or lower the risk to the adult, 5) monitoring the implementation of service plans to ensure the situation is stabilized, and 6) initiating referrals for appropriate civil and/or criminal legal action and working with legal staff, law enforcement, and/or district attorneys to carry out such actions.

The incumbent is primarily assigned to one LDH region. However, when workload demands, the incumbent may occasionally be required to work in other regions. General supervision from an Adult Protection Specialist Supervisor,

The position requires a thorough knowledge of laws and regulations relating to abuse of vulnerable adults, social work principles, and specific circumstances of persons with disabilities, community resources, crisis intervention skills, and the ability to work with persons of different cultures and ethnic groups, and values.

Investigative, analytical, decision-making, critical thinking, and case management functions are required at the skilled professional level. Insightful, independent judgment is required. The position requires the ability to function in adversarial conditions, defuse volatile or hostile situations, and may involve exposure to communicable diseases and hazardous conditions.

The incumbent must communicate effectively, both written and orally, with vulnerable and disabled individuals, healthcare professionals, social service providers, law enforcement, district attorneys, the courts, charitable organizations, churches, and clients with special communication needs. The position requires extensive travel within and outside the domicile's official region, often in high crime and/or isolated, remote areas.

A valid driver's license and personal means of transportation are required. A criminal background check may be required. Incumbents must adhere to the LDH and OAAS Telework Policies. Incumbents may be required to serve on-call in specific situations or when scheduled on a rotating basis. Work may be required outside the traditional 40-hour work week. The incumbent may be required to present investigative information and outcomes and/or testify in court regarding cases. The position requires computer skills, including the ability to download, upload, copy, and save computer files, write narratives, and enter data into an electronic database system. The incumbent must adhere to the profession's ethical standards and abide by departmental and office policies and procedures.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

50% Conducts intake or conducts investigations and/or assessments of reports of complex cases involving abuse, neglect, self-neglect, exploitation, or extortion of adults who have physical, mental, developmental, or age-related disabilities and whose disability substantially impairs the ability for self-care, and who live in community settings or in licensed or contract LDH facilities. Cases frequently involve multiple allegations, and clients may have multiple disabilities, i.e., severe developmental deficits, psychiatric disorders, substance abuse and/or physical disabilities. Allegations may include but are not limited to sexual abuse, severe physical abuse, neglect, abandonment, and financial exploitation. Obtains information from interviews with clients, collaterals, providers, physicians, and others, review of records, and personal observation. Uses specialized training and skills to assess the client's need for services and crisis intervention and determine the allegations' validity.

The incumbent may also conduct investigations in licensed nursing facilities, licensed or unlicensed adult residential care facilities, state-operated 24-hour psychiatric clinics, developmental centers, substance abuse treatment facilities, and other facilities as required.

Assesses the adult's home environment, living situation, functional and mental capacity, and other factors in determining the risk of harm to the adult and the need for crisis intervention.

Arranges or coordinates crisis intervention services needed for the adult's immediate safety, i.e., removal and placement in temporary shelter, orders of protective custody for medical or mental health evaluation and/or treatment, removal of alleged perpetrators from the home, provision of respite services, etc. Establishes the adult's ability to make decisions based on personal assessment, review of existing medical and psychological records, interviews with treating professionals, and/or evaluation by appropriate professionals. Works with coroner, service agencies, law enforcement, district attorneys, and agency legal staff to initiate legal actions necessary to protect the adult.

Writes and maintains highly confidential case files and records, prepares, and submits reports to OAAS central office. Accesses client history and other data systems, inputs case data, compiles reports, and updates client records and case information using computer and remote access technology.

30% Develops, in coordination with appropriate agencies/professionals, a service plan to address immediate and long-term issues contributing to the abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Implements the plan and monitors compliance by providers, family members, and others to ensure the situation is stabilized and/or the risk to the adult is reduced. Advocates for the adult to obtain needed services and/or benefits when necessary. Intervention plans may also include arranging or providing services to other family members, such as counseling, caregiver training, support groups, etc., or to the perpetrator of the abuse, such as mental health or substance abuse treatment.

10% In accordance with agency policy and state laws, refers cases and/or coordinates investigations with law enforcement and prepares and submits reports to district attorneys and/or courts. Assists law enforcement/district attorneys in pursuing criminal charges against perpetrators. Recommends the civil legal actions necessary to protect adults, such as restraining orders, orders for protective services, or protective custody orders, and coordinates and consults with supervisors, LDH attorneys and/or district attorneys to initiate such actions. Prepares and submits affidavits and reports for court and testifies at court proceedings.

10% Attends and participates in formal and informal training programs and seminars relative to adult abuse/neglect, investigative and assessment techniques, legal issues, safety procedures, and other job-related duties. May provide training to other staff in selected areas of expertise and may also provide on-the-job training for less experienced workers.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.(Include any supplement information from EPAR attachments in this portion).

As part of a Career Progression Group, vacancies may be filled from this recruitment as a Adult Protection Specialist 1, 2 or 3depending on the level of experience of the selected applicant(s). The maximum salary for the Adult Protection Specialist 3 is $84,302. Please refer to the 'Job Specifications' tab located at the top of the LA Careers 'Current Job Opportunities' page of the Civil Service website for specific information on salary ranges, minimum qualifications and job concepts for each level.

To apply for this vacancy, click on the “Apply” link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.

Resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

A resume upload willNOTpopulate your information into your application. Work experience left off your electronic application or only included in an attached resume is not eligible to receive credit

For further information about this vacancy contact:

Debbie Parris-Thymes

Debbie.Parris-Thymes2@la.gov

LDH/HUMAN RESOURCES

BATON ROUGE, LA 70821

225 342-6477

This organization participates in E-verify, and for more information on E-verify, please contact DHS at 1-888-464-4218.

Minimum Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Any of the following will qualify:

1. A master's degree in social work.

2. A master's degree in criminal justice; education with a concentration in special education or guidance and counseling; family life education (child development or early childhood education); psychology; sociology; applied sociology; vocational education; pastoral counseling; counseling; vocational rehabilitation counseling; vocational rehabilitation; rehabilitation counseling; or human development counseling.

3. A baccalaureate degree in social work plus one year of professional social services experience.

4. A baccalaureate degree plus two years of professional social services experience.

SUBSTITUTIONS (FOR OPTION 4 ONLY):

Six years of full-time work experience in any field may be substituted for the required baccalaureate degree.

Candidates without a baccalaureate degree may combine work experience and college credit to substitute for the baccalaureate degree as follows:

A maximum of 120 semester hours may be combined with experience to substitute for the baccalaureate degree.

30 to 59 semester hours credit will substitute for one year of experience towards the baccalaureate degree.

60 to 89 semester hours credit will substitute for two years of experience towards the baccalaureate degree.

90 to 119 semester hours credit will substitute for three years of experience towards the baccalaureate degree.

120 or more semester hours credit will substitute for four years of experience towards the baccalaureate degree.

College credit earned without obtaining a baccalaureate degree may be substituted for a maximum of four years full-time work experience towards the baccalaureate degree. Candidates with 120 or more semester hours of credit, but without a degree, must also have at least two years of full-time work experience to substitute for the baccalaureate degree.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:

Possession of a valid Louisiana driver's license at the time of appointment may be required.

NOTE:

Some positions may require regulation as a Registered Social Worker (RSW), Licensed Master's Social Worker (LMSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).

NOTE:

Any college hours or degree must be from an accredited college or university.

NOTE:

The baccalaureate or master's degree in social work must be from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, 1701 Duke Street, Suite 200 Alexandria, VA 22314.

Job Concepts

FUNCTION OF WORK:

To provide entry-level specialized social services to clients in the protective services program.

LEVEL OF WORK:

Entry.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Close from an Adult Protection Specialist Supervisor, a higher level professional, or an administrator.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

None.

LOCATION OF WORK:

Typically, the Department of Health and Hospitals.

JOB DISTINCTIONS:

Differs from Adult Protection Specialist 2 by the presence of close supervision and the absence of independent action.

Examples of Work

EXAMPLES LISTED BELOW INCLUDE BRIEF SAMPLES OF COMMON DUTIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS JOB TITLE. PLEASE NOTE THAT NOT ALL TASKS ARE INCLUDED.

Serves as an intake worker and/or conducts investigations of abuse, neglect, exploitation, and extortion under close supervision and with support from higher level adult protection personnel.

Obtains identifying information, provides information on services provided by the agency and makes referrals when reports do not meet the requirement for investigation. Determines allegation types, risk of harm, and priority levels.

Conducts investigations of alleged abuse, neglect, exploitation, and the extortion of adults in accordance with agency policy and state law.

Assesses home environment, living situation, functional and mental capacity and other factors to determine the risk of harm to the adult and the need for immediate intervention.

Provides those services required for the adult's immediate safety; i.e., a referral to law enforcement or 911, or the adult's relocation to a safe environment.

Obtains services for the adult in the least restrictive setting available that will provide the adult with needed care, treatment, and services sufficient to protect the adult from harm and allow the adult to function as independently as possible.

Maintains highly confidential case files in accordance with agency policies and procedures.

Works with coroners, social services agencies, law enforcement, district attorneys, and legal staff to initiate actions necessary to protect the adult.

Louisiana State Government represents a wide variety of career options and offers an outstanding opportunity tomake a differencethrough public service. With an array of career opportunities in every major metropolitan center and in many rural areas, state employment provides an outstanding option to begin or continue your career.

As a state employee, you will earn competitive pay, choose from a variety of benefits, and have access to a great professional development program:

Insurance Coverage More information can be found at https://info.groupbenefits.org/

Parental Leave– Up to six weeks paid parental leave

More information can be found athttps://www.civilservice.louisiana.gov/Parental-Leave/Default.aspx

Holidays and Leave – State employees receive the following paid holidays each year:

• New Year's Day

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,

• Mardi Gras,

• Good Friday,

• Memorial Day,

• Independence Day,

• Labor Day,

• Veteran's Day,

• Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

* Additional holidays may be proclaimed by the Governor

State employees earn sick and annual leave which can be accumulated and saved for future use. Your accrual rate increases as your years of service increase.

Retirement – State of Louisiana employees are eligible to participate in various retirement systems (based on the type of appointment and agency for which an employee works). These retirement systems provide retirement allowances and other benefits for state officers and employees and their beneficiaries. State retirement systems may include (but are not limited to):

• Louisiana State Employees Retirement System (www.lasersonline.org). LASERS has provided this video (https://lasersonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Your_Retirement_System.mp4) to give you more detailed information about their system

• Teacher's Retirement System of Louisiana (www.trsl.org),

• Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (www.lsers.net), among others

  01

  This position will be filled as a Job appointment only. Job appointments may last up to 48 months. Acknowledge by checking "Yes" that you understand this is a temporary position.

• YES

  Required Question

Agency

State of Louisiana

Address

For agency contact information, please refer to

the supplemental information above.

Louisiana State Civil Service, Louisiana, 70802

Phone

(866) 783-5462

Website

http://agency.governmentjobs.com/louisiana/default.cfm

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