Job Information

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, COMM&SOCIAL SRV-APS/CHILDCARE/SUMMERFOOD PRG (COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL SERVICES-APS/CHILDCARE/SUMMER FOOD PROGRAM) DIVISION, LOUDON COUNTY

For more information, visit the link below:
https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/human-services/documents/HRC0010888_APSInvestigativespec1_Loudon_07152024.pdf

This is a hybrid position

Qualifications

Education and experience: Bachelor's degree in any field.

Necessary Special Qualifications: Applicants for this class must:

• Complete a criminal background history disclosure form in a manner approved by the appointing authority.
• Agree to release all records involving their criminal history to the appointing authority.
• Supply a fingerprint sample in a manner prescribed by the TBI for a fingerprint based criminal history records check.
• Submit to a review of and not be listed on the Indicated Persons Registry of the Department of Children's Services, Department of Health's vulnerable persons' registry, or the state's sex offender registry.
• Not have an excludable offense as defined by Tenn. Code Ann. § 71-2-403 and Tenn. Rules & Regs. Ch. 1240-07-10-.09.
• Have reliable transportation and possess a valid driver's license.
• After appointment, successfully complete (as indicated by an assessment at completion) a prescribed course of training offered by the Tennessee Department of Human Services.
• Be available to be on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Summary

This classification learns to perform APS investigative work and/or service coordination work of average difficulty. An employee in this class learns to conduct interviews and investigations regarding allegations of self-neglect, abuse, exploitation and/or neglect of vulnerable adults, evaluate risk, identify potential services, and provide counseling for APS clients. This classification performs responsibilities at the learning level under direct supervision of an APS Team Coordinator. This class differs from the APS Investigative Specialist 2 in that an incumbent of the latter functions at the working level.

• An applicant appointed to this classification will be reclassified to a(n) APS Investigative Specialist 2 after successful completion of a mandatory one-year training period; unacceptable or needs improvement performance ratings during the training period will result in automatic demotion or termination.

Responsibilities

• Learns to investigate allegations of self-neglect, abuse, exploitation and/or neglect of vulnerable adults who are mentally or physically impaired, and incapable of self-care due to disability or age, to determine if there is a need for protective services.
• Learns to conduct program specific assessments to determine needs, strengths, and/or risk level for clients. Learns to monitor progress of the client's status and/or service plan and maintains contact with service providers.
• Learns to understand and apply APS policies and procedures and recognize the criteria required for APS involvement. Ensures client confidentiality is maintained according to state law and agency policy.
• Learns to conduct visits to identify potential risk factors such as unsanitary living conditions, lack of utilities, any form of self-neglect, abuse, exploitation and/or neglect in the client's living environment, as appropriate.
• Learns to interview clients, family members, neighbors, alleged perpetrators, or collateral contacts to gather additional pertinent information, regarding risk factors, including but not limited to the client's health, living arrangements, financial stability, family involvement, needs, and strengths to determine causes of current situation.
• Learns to request and evaluate relevant documentation, including but not limited to, educational, medical, psychological, criminal, and/or financial records, as needed, to assess needs and risks of clients.
• Learns to analyze and review all information gathered during the assessments to address the client's risk and implement appropriate service plans. Learns to refer and coordinate services to address the immediate needs for the protection of the client, reduce client risk, and increase self-sufficiency.
• Learns to document all case activities, observations, changes, and information thoroughly, professionally, and objectively in an electronic case management system. Learns to document client's level of progress towards meeting goals or objectives identified in the service plan.
• Learns how to discuss difficult situations with the client, family members, caregivers, collateral contacts, and/or service providers to determine resources or actions needed to reduce client's risk of harm identified in the service plan.
• Learns to participate in legal team meetings in preparation of legal interventions that are guided by the Office of General Counsel (OGC). May be required to testify during legal proceedings and/or in court.
• Learns how to conduct awareness presentations to provide an overview of the APS program to educate internal and community partners on the capabilities and limitations of the program and how to make a report to APS.
• Begins to discuss concerns of risk and develops solutions for clients through participation on the VAPIT (Vulnerable Adult Protection Investigation Team) and multi-disciplinary teams.

Competencies

• Knowledgeable of psychology practices and sociology.
• Skilled in active listening and learning, persuasion, and social perceptiveness.
• Skilled in thinking critically, solving complex problems, and making quality decisions.
• Ability to use deductive and inductive reasoning to be objective and resourceful.
• Ability to type efficiently and use oral and written communication effectively with sensitivity to problems.
• Competent in understanding others, managing conflict, and acting with integrity and trust.

Tools & Equipment

• General office equipment
• Computer/laptop
• iPad
• Multifunction Printer (Print/scan/fax/copy)
• Cell phone
• Motor Vehicle