APS INVESTIGATIVE SPECIALIST 1* - 04212026- 76863

Job Information

State of Tennessee Job Information

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

For more information, visit the link below:
https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/human-services/documents/HRC0019511_APS_Investigative_Specialist1_Fayette_51126.pdf

This is a hybrid position

This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered for this position.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree

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.

Overview

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. 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 an 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 reported allegations to determine if there is a need for protective services while ensuring client confidentiality is maintained. Learns to understand and applies APS policies and procedures and recognizes the criteria required for APS involvement.
• Learns to interview clients, family members, alleged perpetrators, or collateral contacts to gather information then conducts visits to complete program specific assessments to determine needs, strengths, and/or level of risk for clients. Learns to request, evaluate, and upload documentation such as educational, medical, psychological, criminal, and/or financial records to assess needs and risks of clients.
• Learn to analyze and review all information gathered during the assessments to address the client's risk. Learns to create and implement service plan with client to refer and coordinate external services, addressing the immediate needs of the client, reducing risk of harm, and increasing self-sufficiency.
• Learns to monitor progress of the client's status and modifies the service plan as needed, documenting all case activities, changes, observations, and other information. Learns to maintain contact with service providers to ensure clients needs are met.
• Learns 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 as identified in the service plan.
• Learn to participate in legal team meetings in preparation of legal interventions that are guided by the Office of General Counsel (OGC) and may be required to testify during legal proceedings and/or in court. Learns to discuss concerns of risk and develops solutions for clients through participation on the VAPIT (Vulnerable Adult Protection Investigation Team) and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Learns 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.

Competencies (KSA's)

Competencies:

• Customer Focus
• Drives Results
• Communicates Effectively
• Demonstrates Self-awareness
• Situational Adaptability

Knowledges:

• Customer and Personal Service
• Psychology

Skills:

• Active Learning and Listening
• Complex Problem Solving
• Judgment and Decision Making
• Time Management
• Writing

Abilities:

• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Problem Sensitivity
• Written Comprehension

Tools & Equipment

• General Office Equipment
• Computer/Laptop/Tablet
• Cell Phone
• Motor Vehicle