ADULT PROTECTION SPECIALIST 1 – 3 Position Available In Lafayette, Louisiana

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ADULT PROTECTION SPECIALIST 1 – 3

Salary
$3,186.00 – $5,734.00 Monthly
Location Lafayette, LA
Job Type
Classified
Job Number

OAAS/DPT/209301

Department
LDH-Office of Aging & Adult Services
Opening Date
06/13/2025
Closing Date
6/21/2025 11:59 PM Central

DESCRIPTION

About this Job
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.
Minimum Qualifications
Four years of social services experience; OR
Six years of full-time work experience plus one year of social services experience; OR
A bachelor’s degree plus one year of social services experience; OR
A master’s degree in social work, a social science, education, counseling or vocational rehabilitation.

EXPERIENCE SUBSTITUTION

Every 30 semester hours earned from an accredited college or university will be credited as one year of experience towards the six years of full-time work experience in any field. The maximum substitution allowed is 120 semester hours which substitutes for a maximum of four years of experience in any field.
Job Specification
The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.
Job Duties and Other Information

Job Duties:

Adult Protection Specialist 1-3

OCCUPATIONAL SUMMARY:

This position performs highly complex duties mandated by

LA R.S. 14

403.2 and

LA R.S. 15

150111 requiring the application of adult protective services program knowledge and social work 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. Incumbent is primarily assigned to one LDH region. However, when workload demands, incumbent may occasionally be required to work in other regions, as well. General supervision from an , an Adult Protection Specialist Supervisor, APS Program Manager, or a higher level professional or Administrator. 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 differing cultures, ethnic groups, and values. Investigative, analytical, decision-making, critical thinking and case management functions at the skilled professional level are required. Insightful, independent judgment is required. The position requires the ability to function in adversarial conditions, to defuse volatile or hostile situations, and may involve exposure to communicable diseases and hazardous conditions.
Incumbent must be able to 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 with clients having special communication needs. The position requires extensive travel within and outside of the official region of domicile, 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. Incumbent must adhere to the LDH and OAAS Telework Policies. Teleworking allows employees to regularly perform officially assigned job duties at home or other work sites which are geographically convenient to the residence of the employee and away from his/her primary work site, for all or part of the standard work week. Incumbent 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. 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, save computer files, write narratives, and enter data into an electronic database system. Incumbent is required to adhere to the ethical standards of the profession practiced and to 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 DHH 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 adult, family, providers, physician 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 to determine the validity of the allegations.
Incumbent may also conduct investigations in licensed nursing facilities, licenses or unlicensed adult residential care facilities and in 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 to determine 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 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 central office. Accesses data systems for client history and other information, 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 when necessary to obtain needed services and/or benefits. Intervention plans may also include arranging or providing of 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 need for 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, DHH 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.
Attends and participates in meetings and/or staffing with health professionals, service providers, and other agencies regarding mutual clients or general issues concerning disabled adults. Conducts educational presentations or in-service training for community groups, agencies, providers, etc. on adult abuse/neglect and the role of APS. Attends and assists with the Regional Adult Protective Services Coordinating Councils by arranging meetings, developing the agenda and/or giving presentations.
•Performs other related duties as assigned.

Position-Specific Details:

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

Announcement Number:

OAAS/DPT/209301

Cost Center:

3201033004
Position Number(s): 50478758
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).

NOTE REGARDING THE ADVERTISED PAY

(For CPG Postings): This position participates in a Career Progression Group (CPG) and may be filled as a Adult Protection Specialist 3 level at which the vacancy is filled will be determined by the qualifications of the candidate selected. This position provides the opportunity to advance within this job series. The actual starting salary depends on the education and experience of the selected applicant.
Please click on the below s to learn more about each job level:
State Civil Service Job Information Finder
No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.
[In this section, provide information such as location, work schedule, career progression, compensation and other pay mechanisms, or legal statements.]

How To :

for this vacancy, click on the “” 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 will NOT populate 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
LA Department of Health (LDH)
Division of Human Resources
Baton Rouge, LA 7082
1225-342-6477
This organization participates in E-verify, and for more information on E-verify, please contact DHS at 1-888-464-4218.
Employer
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