APS Investigator Specialist
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, Center, TX, United States
An APS Investigator Specialist protects the elderly and adults with disabilities who are unable to protect themselves. The role involves challenging, often stressful work, yet offers rich learning opportunities about families, communities, and oneself.
Essential Job Functions
Investigate reports of abuse, neglect or exploitation of elderly or disabled adults; interview clients, family members, and others to gather social, functional, physical and mental‑emotional information for evaluation.
Provide services after normal working hours and on weekends to maintain 24‑hour coverage, including receiving reports of alleged abuse, neglect or exploitation.
Determine temporary or long‑term actions to remove or lessen an immediate threat to a client’s life or health; counsel clients and caregivers, provide information and referrals, testify in court for emergency services, secure alternate housing when necessary, and offer ongoing support.
Develop individualized service plans that meet client needs and maintain detailed documentation for each case.
Make presentations and participate in community awareness activities to inform the public about the program.
Prepare routine, statistical, and special reports for management.
Serve in a lead capacity in the supervisor’s absence.
Perform other duties as assigned to maintain unit operations.
Promote respect for cultural diversity among coworkers and all contacts.
Attend work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy.
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 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
eglect complaints.
Ability to empathize and provide encouragement to disabled adults and the elderly.
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 to receive reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Ability to work with violent and dangerous individuals.
Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications
This position requires use of the applicant’s personal motor vehicle to complete job functions. Applicants must have a reliable vehicle, an acceptable driving record for the past five years, a current valid Texas driver’s license appropriate for the vehicle and passenger or cargo load, and must provide proof of driving record, insurance, and license.
Initial Screening Criteria
Applicants for the APS Investigator Specialist I, II, III, and IV positions must meet one of the following educational and experience combinations: accredited bachelor’s degree; accredited associate’s degree plus two years of relevant work experience; 60 accredited college credit hours plus two years of relevant experience; or 90 accredited college credit hours plus one year of relevant experience. Detailed criteria for progression between levels are also specified.
Preferred Criteria
Completion of coursework or a degree in Social Work, Criminal Justice, Sociology, Counseling, Education, or a related field.
Experience working in a government agency, nonprofit, or school providing support to individuals or families in need, including children, adults, older adults, or people with disabilities.
Prior experience in case management, investigations, law enforcement, or courtroom testimony related to protective services, social services, or family and adult welfare.
Experience conducting interviews or assessments with individuals or families regarding highly sensitive matters.
Additional Information
The position may be filled at any level from APS Specialist I to APS Specialist IV. Starting salary may be adjusted based on education and experience but shall not exceed the maximum of the pay group. The APS Professional Education Program reimburses eligible staff for tuition up to $10,500 per fiscal year after one year of full‑time continuous employment.
Business‑related travel is reimbursed at the state‑approved mileage rate according to DFPS policy.
APS Investigator Specialists are mobile caseworkers; most of the workday is spent conducting home visits to interview clients and alleged perpetrators. While days may start and end at home, specialists are expected to be in the field engaging the community every day.
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Essential Job Functions
Investigate reports of abuse, neglect or exploitation of elderly or disabled adults; interview clients, family members, and others to gather social, functional, physical and mental‑emotional information for evaluation.
Provide services after normal working hours and on weekends to maintain 24‑hour coverage, including receiving reports of alleged abuse, neglect or exploitation.
Determine temporary or long‑term actions to remove or lessen an immediate threat to a client’s life or health; counsel clients and caregivers, provide information and referrals, testify in court for emergency services, secure alternate housing when necessary, and offer ongoing support.
Develop individualized service plans that meet client needs and maintain detailed documentation for each case.
Make presentations and participate in community awareness activities to inform the public about the program.
Prepare routine, statistical, and special reports for management.
Serve in a lead capacity in the supervisor’s absence.
Perform other duties as assigned to maintain unit operations.
Promote respect for cultural diversity among coworkers and all contacts.
Attend work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy.
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 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
eglect complaints.
Ability to empathize and provide encouragement to disabled adults and the elderly.
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 to receive reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Ability to work with violent and dangerous individuals.
Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications
This position requires use of the applicant’s personal motor vehicle to complete job functions. Applicants must have a reliable vehicle, an acceptable driving record for the past five years, a current valid Texas driver’s license appropriate for the vehicle and passenger or cargo load, and must provide proof of driving record, insurance, and license.
Initial Screening Criteria
Applicants for the APS Investigator Specialist I, II, III, and IV positions must meet one of the following educational and experience combinations: accredited bachelor’s degree; accredited associate’s degree plus two years of relevant work experience; 60 accredited college credit hours plus two years of relevant experience; or 90 accredited college credit hours plus one year of relevant experience. Detailed criteria for progression between levels are also specified.
Preferred Criteria
Completion of coursework or a degree in Social Work, Criminal Justice, Sociology, Counseling, Education, or a related field.
Experience working in a government agency, nonprofit, or school providing support to individuals or families in need, including children, adults, older adults, or people with disabilities.
Prior experience in case management, investigations, law enforcement, or courtroom testimony related to protective services, social services, or family and adult welfare.
Experience conducting interviews or assessments with individuals or families regarding highly sensitive matters.
Additional Information
The position may be filled at any level from APS Specialist I to APS Specialist IV. Starting salary may be adjusted based on education and experience but shall not exceed the maximum of the pay group. The APS Professional Education Program reimburses eligible staff for tuition up to $10,500 per fiscal year after one year of full‑time continuous employment.
Business‑related travel is reimbursed at the state‑approved mileage rate according to DFPS policy.
APS Investigator Specialists are mobile caseworkers; most of the workday is spent conducting home visits to interview clients and alleged perpetrators. While days may start and end at home, specialists are expected to be in the field engaging the community every day.
#J-18808-Ljbffr