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 #:   110-12-22

Closes:               Open Until Filled

Location:            Woodburn, with local travel

Salary:               Starting at $4,391 per 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.

Other: Employment qualifies for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).

General Description

Investigates allegations of abuse against people with disabilities and older adults as required under state and federal mandate.

Essential Functions           

1. 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
2. Performs assessments for case planning and intervention
3. Completes a written report that encompasses the evidence gathered during the investigation
4. Conducts investigations into allegations in facility settings
5. Maintains confidentiality of the information gathered during the investigation in accordance to the Oregon Administrative Rules and Oregon Revised Statutes
6. Serves as a Mandatory Reporter of suspected abuse of vulnerable populations as required by policy and regulation

1.    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.

• Performs overall assessment of the consumer’s physical, social, psychological, environmental, and financial situation.
• Conducts unannounced interviews with all pertinent parties within the mandated timeframe. Interviews potential witnesses and gathers evidence pertinent to the investigation.
• Develops and implements protective services intervention plans using the least intrusive methods possible.

2.    Performs assessments for case planning and intervention

• Works closely with other disciplines towards resolution of abuse/neglect cases.
• Participates in the monthly Multi-Disciplinary Team Meeting to build collaborative relationships with Community Partners.
• Gathers evidence for civil and criminal court proceedings; provides testimony as required.
• Determines the nature and extent of endangerment and implements protective measures to prevent further abuse from occurring.

3.    Completes a written report that encompasses the evidence gathered during the investigation

• Reviews the information and makes a determination as to whether or not the allegation occurred and if wrongdoing is substantiated or unsubstantiated based on a preponderance of evidence.
• Ensures the report is completed within the designated timeframe.

4.    Conducts investigations into allegations in facility settings.

• Reviews and gathers facility documentation to determine compliance with the Oregon Administrative Rules. 
• Conducts interviews with staff and facility administration to gather relevant information.
• Understands and interprets Medications Administration Records, Physician’s Orders, Care Plans, Progress Notes, etc to determine if the facility provided care in accordance with the rules.
• Works collaboratively with APD during investigations to ensure resident safety in facilities.

5.    Maintains confidentiality of the information gathered during the investigation in accordance to the Oregon Administrative Rules and Oregon Revised Statutes.

6.    Serves as a Mandatory Reporter of suspected abuse of vulnerable populations as required by policy and regulation.

Job-Specific Skills Needed to Meet Agency Expectations

In order to best serve consumers, Protective Services Workers must know, or be able to learn:

• Knowledge of social casework methods and techniques, and their application to individual cases including problems of placement in care facilities.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws and Oregon Administrative Rules pertaining to adult protective services and the ability to research and interpret these regulations.
• Knowledge of, and commitment to, rules governing client confidentiality, mandatory reporting, provider records, and investigations.
• General understanding of the principles of gerontology and the ability to work effectively with clients and to use good judgment in handling individual case problems.
• Knowledge of the social model underlying adult protective services and an understanding of the theory of adult protection.
• Knowledge of functions and scope of public and private agencies, law enforcement agencies, and facilities providing social support services to seniors and to people with disabilities.
• Knowledge of sources for obtaining case data and ability to analyze and evaluate case data. 
• Ability to prepare concise and complete case records and related reports; prepare and provide testimony at hearings.
• Ability to perform 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 interviewees.
• Ability to de-escalate volatile and difficult situations to ensure the safety of the consumers that we serve.
• Working 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 applications.
• Provides outreach services such as serving on committees, multi-disciplinary teams, and speaking to community groups,
• Maintains databases and reviews cases periodically for continued eligibility

General Skills Needed to Meet Agency Expectations

Must be able and willing to perform the following:

• Ability and willingness to support Agency mission, ethics and values.
• Good interpersonal communication skills, including listening; ability and willingness to work effectively with others; use of good judgment, courtesy and tact, as well as the ability to understand and respond to requests from internal and external clients, social service professionals and/or the general public.
• Ability to understand and interpret applicable policies and apply them to problem-solving and decision-making in order to serve external and internal clients.
• Ability to apply the required knowledge and skills in a timely, accurate, and efficient manner to meet deadlines.

(For Bilingual positions only)

Ensure Non-English speaking consumers receive services

• Communicate with and provide services to consumers whose primary language skills are non-English
• Serve as an interpreter for the Agency in the identified language pair, including oral and written, interpreting and explaining forms, rules, policies, etc. 
• Translate written materials

Experience and Skills:

Minimum Qualifications - Experience and Training

A qualified applicant will have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, humanities, or liberal arts.  In addition, the qualified applicant will have at least two (2) years of equivalent combination of education and experience, which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities required will be considered.

(For Bilingual positions only)

• Successful completion of a language proficiency test.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

Protective Services Workers typically work in an office environment.  They:

•    Use a computer, telephone, and other office equipment
•    Need to tolerate and be able to work where the noise level is that of a typical office
•    Travel to consumers’ homes (in an agency or personal vehicle)
•    May encounter frequent interruptions throughout the work day
•    Are regularly required to sit, talk, or hear
•    Use repetitive hand motions
•    Must be able to handle objects and sustain a sense of touch
•    Must be able to stand, walk, reach, and bend
•    Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds

Contact 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

COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate

In accordance with the vaccination order issued by the state of Oregon all new hires in the position of Protective Services Worker must be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination by the first day of employment.  Proof of vaccination means documentation provided by a tribal, federal, state or local government, or a health care provider, that includes an individual’s name, date of birth, type of COVID-19 vaccination given, date or dates given, depending on whether it is a one-dose or two-dose vaccine, and the name/location of the health care provider or site where the vaccine was administered. Documentation may include but is not limited to a COVID-19 vaccination record card or a copy or digital picture of the vaccination record card, a print-out from the clinic, or the Oregon Health Authority’s immunization registry.  Applicants requesting a religious or a medical accommodation must submit the request for exemption on the appropriate OHA form.  NWSDS is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any state or federal protected class.

To be successful, candidates must:

• Secure and maintain a valid Oregon driver’s license or have an acceptable alternative means of transportation
• Attend work regularly to meet the demands of this job and to provide necessary services
• Complete and pass a criminal background check

 Supervisory Responsibilities

None            

Classification: Protective Services Worker

Bilingual Protective Services Worker

Position Number: Varies

Salary Range:  R21/R22 for bilingual

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Unit: APS

Location: Varies

Reports to: APS and AFH Licensing Manager

Union Status: Represented

Last Revision: December 2016

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by an employee occupying this position. Employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned, including work in other Agency unit/location to ensure workload coverage. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee will possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.