Position Summary:
The Protective Services Supervisor determines eligibility for protective services, provides casework, and coordinates services to elders determined to be suffering from a reportable condition of abuse as defined in 651 CMR 5.02(31). In addition, the PSS assists the PS Director with administrative support and provides supervision to staff.
Job Responsibilities and Performance Standards:
- Screen, report, or refer alleged abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation, providing immediate direct assistance when appropriate.
- Provide direct supervision, guidance, and case oversight to Protective Services Caseworkers (PSWs) and their caseloads.
- Provide protective and other services including petitions for Protective Orders and/or Guardianship through the courts, and refers severe abuse and exploitation situations to the District Attorney.
- Provide ongoing casework for elders and their families with the goal of preventing abuse and/or neglect and provides information and education about elder abuse and Protective Services to staff and community providers.
- Create monthly PSW on-call and screening schedules, ensuring appropriate office coverage.
- Supervise the daily operations of the PS team according to Agency and program regulations and guidelines when PS Director is unavailable.
- Comply with departmental and state requirements regarding documentation and data entry within the APS (WellSky) system.
- Assist PSD with monitoring and ensuring departmental compliance with state and agency regulations.
- Attend agency, team and EOEA meetings as appropriate.
- Assist PSD with outreach, training, community education and orientations with new staff.
- Comply with HIPAA and other state and Agency confidentiality requirements.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Professional Standards and Conduct:
- Leadership: Ability to lead, inspire and empower staff by demonstrating confidence and leadership presence in the department and when representing the department. Demonstrate understanding of the agency’s mission and assisting Protective Services with upholding the goals of the agency.
- Collaborative and Responsive: Regularly communicate, follow up, and use a team-driven approach. Respond thoughtfully and promptly to agency needs, requests, and inquiries; identify and build partnerships with key stakeholders. Demonstrates excellent organizational and time management skills to meet various deadlines, ensuring closed-loop communication. Ability to multi-task and maintain flexibility to adapt and adjust workload assignments based on various needs.
- Communication: Strong verbal and written communications skills. Comfortable with boundary setting, de-escalation techniques, clarifying roles and expectations to stakeholders while escalating obstacles to leadership as appropriate. Professional and effective communication and follow-up within and outside agency.
- Analytical: Strong attention to detail. Ability to apply critical thinking skills to communicate feedback effectively, demonstrate flexibility in problem-solving and thinking outside of the box to work towards department and Agency mission. Identify barriers and make recommendations to increase PS Department success in achieving mission of mitigating risks associated with elder abuse.
- Attendance and Punctuality:Dependable, punctual, showing flexibility when needed. Attends meetings as needed and is fully present and participates during those meetings.
- Commitment: Embodies SCES’ core values and shows great integrity, accountability, and professionalism in all interactions. Embodies mission of Elder Protective Services including advocating for the rights of elders to make decisions that others may disagree with. Aids in furthering SCES’ mission and commitment to an inclusive environment.
Qualifications:
- A Master’s or higher degree from an accredited school in social work, psychology, counseling, human development, nursing, sociology, criminal justice, public health, public policy or gerontology, and at least two years of experience in counseling, casework, case management, preferably in a Protective Services or crisis intervention role; or a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school in social work, psychology, counseling, human development, nursing, sociology, criminal justice, public health, public policy or gerontology plus at least three years of experience in counseling, casework or case management providing protective or crisis intervention services.
- Experience working with elders or disabled adults in a community setting preferred.
- Elder Protective Services knowledge preferred.
- Knowledge of local community resources.
- Must be knowledgeable and comfortable using Microsoft 365 platforms.
- Knowledge of court processes and requirements preferred.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively with diverse populations required.
- Ability to engage in difficult conversations preferred.
- Must be accessible by phone at all hours when providing agency afterhours supervisory coverage and available by available by phone during working hours.
- Must meet both CORI/SORI and public health screening requirement.
- Crisis management experience preferred.
- Ability to speak second language a plus.
Physical Environment:
- Physical surroundings are comfortable with minimal exposure to injury or hazards.
- Must be able to travel between the SCES office and other sites via public transportation or by car.
- Role will necessitate home visits which could include unsanitary or hoarding conditions.
Social/Psychological Conditions:
- Occasional stress due to periodic or cyclical workload pressures, deadlines and the nature of the department’s needs.
Physical Effort:
- Frequently sits, stands, walks, bends, reaches, and stoops throughout the day.
- Frequently lifts, pulls, pushes, and carries up to 20 lbs.
- Periodic eye strain and light ear strain.