Job Specification Details

Specialized protective service work at a professional and managerial level for Adult Protective Services (APS) involving the management of statewide reports of suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of vulnerable adults; the management of APS Central Office Functions; and the management of APS Information Management Systems, to include the Adult Abuse Registry. The assistant director in this job class function serves as subject matter expert in determining eligibility for APS protections and services, to include assessing risk of harm, determining which reports require a full APS investigation, and determining appropriate protections and services. Assists the APS Director in the management of APS functions, to include documentation of APS practices in policy and protocol and serves as the APS Director in the director’s absence. Duties include supervising program specialists that receive reports and the APS Senior Planning Coordinator who performs administrative and information systems functions.  Work is performed under the supervision of the APS Director, but with significant need for autonomy and individual discretion. Incumbents must analyze and solve complex problems which require significant evaluative thinking and judgment in multiple areas, including human services, information systems, and administrative systems. All employees of the Agency of Human Services perform their respective functions adhering to four key practices: customer service, holistic service, strengths-based relationships and results orientation.

Manages all aspects of the APS intake system collecting reports of suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of vulnerable adults, to include supervision of program specialist intake staff. Initiates the first phase of the comprehensive investigations pertaining to allegations of suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults. The incumbent must integrate a comprehensive knowledge of state law with interview techniques to elicit detailed, meaningful information. Analyzes facts obtained during the preliminary investigation, interprets relevant statutory mandates, and applies that interpretation to determine whether the person for whom a report has been made is a vulnerable adult as defined by law. Determines whether or not the allegation brought forth satisfies the critical elements of the statue and subsequently, whether or not the case will be forwarded for further investigation. Ensures that all evidence obtained during the preliminary phase of the investigation is processed and forwarded to the appropriate channels and documented in the APS case management system. Administers specialized assessment tools and interprets the results of those assessments to determine the degree of harm suffered by the victim and the risk for continued harm. Determines response times of the field investigator as established by triage protocol. Initiates protective service interventions and referrals as necessary to prevent or ameliorate abuse, neglect or exploitation. May provide brief, limited crisis and supportive counseling to vulnerable adults, and their families, who have been traumatized by abuse, neglect, or exploitation or by life transitions. Manages all aspects of APS Central Office functions, to include managing the APS Information Management System, which includes the Adult Abuse Registry, and supervising the APS Senior Planning Coordinator.  Serves as the APS Director in the APS Director’s absence. Performs related duties as required.

Duties are performed in a standard office setting. The nature of the situations encountered may contribute to significant stress. Strong interpersonal skills are required to deal with a variety of callers in highly emotional situations. Workload is usually heavy with a constant need for prompt, accurate decisions. Incumbents must be able to work independently. Strong differences of opinion may occur in emotionally charged situations.

Considerable knowledge of issues affecting elderly and disabled people, particularly related to abuse, neglect and/or exploitation of vulnerable adults.

Working knowledge of supervisory methods.

Considerable knowledge of interviewing and investigative techniques.

Knowledge of community resources available to elders and adults with disabilities.

Ability to type and utilize Microsoft Office products.

Ability to monitor, modify, and obtain data from information management systems.

Ability to analyze, interpret and apply law to information obtained.

Ability to analyze and solve complex problems.

Ability to make prompt, independent decisions.

Ability to communicate and work effectively with the public.

Ability to act responsively in an emergency situation.

Ability to function well under stress.

Ability to perform job duties within the framework of the four key practices of the Agency of Human Services: customer service, holistic service, strengths-based relationships and results orientation.

Master's degree or higher AND one (1) year or more of experience in law, law enforcement, social work, health care, psychology, human services or a closely related field.

OR

Associate degree or higher AND three (3) years or more of experience in law, law enforcement, social work, health care, psychology, human services or a closely related field.

Experience in the field of aging and/or disabilities services.

Legal or investigative work experience.

Candidates must pass any level of background investigation applicable to the position. In accordance with AHS Policy 4.02, Hiring Standards, Vermont and/or national criminal record checks, as well as DMV and adult and child abuse registry checks, as appropriate to the position under recruitment, will be conducted on candidates, with the exception of those who are current classified state employees seeking transfer, promotion or demotion into an AHS classified position or are persons exercising re-employment (RIF) rights.