Job Description
An APS Investigator Specialist protects the elderly and adults with disabilities who are unable to protect themselves. An APS Investigator Specialist has a very challenging job that can be stressful at times –but there are few occupations that offer more opportunities to learn new things about families, your community and yourself.
An Adult Protective Services Investigator Specialist- <a href=”https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/JobDescriptions/R5002.pdf” target=_blank>SAO APS Investigator Specialist</a>.
Newly hired employees holding a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Social Work also qualify for an automatic starting salary increase of 3.4% or 6.8%, respectively.
Essential Job Functions
• Investigates reports of abuse, neglect or exploitation of elderly or disabled adults to assess the urgency of the problem by interviewing clients, family members and other to gather social, functional, physical and mental-emotional information for evaluation.
• Provides services after normal working hours and on weekends to maintain 24 hour coverage, including receiving reports of alleged abuse, neglect or exploitation.
• Determines temporary or long-term action to be taken to remove or lessen an immediate threat to the life or health of an adult protective services client to include counseling clients and caregivers, providing informationand referral services, testifying in court to seek emergency protective services, finding alternate housing when
necessary, and providing on-going services.
• Develops individualized service plans to meet the needs of the adult protective services client and maintains
detailed documentation on each case.
• Makes presentations and participates in community awareness and related activities to inform the public about
the program.
• Prepares routine, statistical, and special reports for management.
• Serves in lead capacity in absence of supervisor.
• Performs other duties as assigned and required to maintain unit operations.
• Promotes and demonstrates appropriate respect for cultural diversity among coworkers and all work-related
contacts.
• Attends work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy.
Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications
This position requires use of the applicant’s personal motor vehicle to complete job functions.
Applicants for positions must have a reliable motor vehicle and acceptable driving record for the past five years,
and a current, valid Texas driver’s license appropriate for the vehicle and passenger or cargo load. Applicants
must provide proof of driving record, insurance, and license.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Knowledge of agency policies, procedures, and standards.
• Knowledge of Texas laws relating to adult protective services.
• Knowledge of gerontology and the dynamics of the aging process.
• Knowledge of special problems of the aged and disabled.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques and skills.
• Knowledge of differing cultures/ethnic groups and values.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
• Skill in effective verbal and written communication.
• Ability to work effectively with difficult abuse/neglect complaints.
• Ability to empathize and provide encouragement to disabled adults and the elderly and to help them meet
particular needs and alleviate problems.
• Ability to operate a personal computer and various software packages.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment including fax and copy machines.
• Ability to make home visits in isolated or high crime areas that may involve exposure to substandard and
unsanitary living conditions.
• Ability to be on call in order to receive reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
• Ability to work with violent and dangerous individuals.
Initial Screening Criteria
- Adult Protective Services Investigator Specialist I: An accredited Bachelor’s degree OR accredited Associate’s degree OR more than 60 accredited college credit hours.
- Adult Protective Services Investigator Specialist II: Employed as an Adult Protective Services Investigator Specialist I for 9 months AND have received Adult Protective Services Investigator Specialist Certification OR currently employed as an Adult Protective Services Investigator Specialist II in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services OR previously employed as an Adult Protective Services Investigator Specialist II in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
- Adult Protective Services Investigator Specialist III: Employed as an Adult Protective Services Investigator Specialist II for 9 months AND have received Advanced Adult Protective Services Investigator Specialist Certification OR currently employed as an Adult Protective Services Investigator Specialist III in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services OR previously employed as an Adult Protective Services Investigator Specialist III in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
- Adult Protective Services Investigator IV: Employed as an Adult Protective Services Investigator III for 24 months AND have received Senior Advanced Adult Protective Services Investigator Specialist Certification OR currently employed as an Adult Protective Services Investigator IV in Texas Department of Family and Protective
Services OR previously employed as an Adult Protective Services Investigator IV in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
Additional Information
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
These requirements are not exhaustive, and additional job related physical requirements may be added to these by individual agencies on an as needed basis. Corrective devices may be used to meet physical requirements. These are typical requirements; however, reasonable accommodations are possible.
Physical Activities: He/she is frequently asked to stand, hear, and talk; he/she is occasionally asked to climb.
Physical Demands: The incumbent typically performs work that requires him/her to exert up to 20 pounds occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
Visual Requirements: The incumbent must be able to see objects clearly at 20 inches or less, and at 20 or more feet. In addition, he/she must be able to adjust his/her eyes to bring objects into focus, distinguish colors, see objects in his/her peripheral vision, and see objects in three dimensions.
Working Conditions: He/she typically works in a mobile environment (the majority of work is performed outside of the office environment) and is exposed occasionally to adverse environmental conditions including, but not necessarily limited to, extreme heat, wetness and humidity, chemicals, close quarters, gases and heights.
Interview Requirements: Any candidate who is called to an agency for an interview must notify the interviewing agency in writing of any reasonable accommodation needed prior to the date of the interview.