Advocate 2

Salary: $44,354.85 Annually
Location : Dougherty Co., GA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2025-72231
Division/Office: DAS - APS
Unit: Aging - APS
Opening Date: 10/25/2024
Closing Date: 11/10/2024 11:59 PM Eastern
Description
Stronger Families for a Stronger Georgia. The Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) is a dynamic state agency responsible for delivering a wide range of services to Georgia's most vulnerable populations. Our mission is to strengthen Georgia by providing individuals and families access to services that promote self-sufficiency, independence, and protect Georgia's vulnerable children and adults.
What we offer. Enjoy a generous benefits package that includes a flexible work schedule, unique training opportunities, employee retirement plan, 401(k) plan and 457 plan, 13 paid holidays, vacation & sick leave, medical, dental, vision, long/short-term care, life insurance, and employee discount programs; in addition to telework opportunities depending upon the position.
Start your career in public service . The Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Aging Services, (DAS), Adult Protective Services (APS), is seeking candidates for the position of Advocate 2 (APS Investigator) . This position is located in Albany, Dougherty County, Georgia and will primarily cover the additional counties of: Baker, Calhoun, Decatur, Early, Lee, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Terrell, & Worth.
JOIN OUR TEAM!!!
Job Description
Pay Grade: H
Under general supervision, provides personal support services and crisis intervention to clients. May serve as case managers and evaluate, investigate and resolve complaints. Acts as a liaison between client and service providers.
Role and Responsibilities:

• Performs initial investigations of protective service reports for cases meeting Adult Protective Services (APS) criteria and determines appropriateness of intervention within a standard of promptness.
• Evaluates the level of risk to clients and takes appropriate action to ensure safety
• Provides follow-up, consultations and other applicable resources to stabilize situation to prevent further recurrence of Abuse/Neglect/Exploitation
• Initiates the legal process for guardianship as a last resort for the protection of incapacitated adults.
• Maintains required documentation and completes reports within standards of promptness
• Maintains knowledge of current policies, laws, trends and developments in the field by attending training sessions and meetings.
• Performs other professional responsibilities as assigned.

Core Competencies:

• Provides services and information to and honors all of the State's commitments to internal and external customers by providing helpful, courteous, accessible, responsive, and knowledgeable service.
• Cooperates with others to accomplish common goals and works as a team player within and across departments to achieve shared goals.
• Treats others with dignity and respect, maintains a friendly demeanor and values the contributions of others.
• Delivers consistently required business results and meets achievable yet aggressive goals.
• Complies with quality standards and meets deadlines.
• Maintains focus on agency and State goals.
• Displays honesty, accountability, and a strong commitment to his or her public duty and presents oneself as a credible representative of the agency and State to maintain the public trust.
• Demonstrates ability to make sound judgments and develops effective, viable solutions to drive the effectiveness of the Department and State.
• Has excellent oral, written, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.

Minimum Qualifications
Associate degree in a related field from an accredited college or university and three (3) years of job-related experience;
OR
One (1) year of experience at the lower level Advocate 1 (SSP080) or position equivalent.
Preferred Skills/Qualifications: Preference will be given to candidates who, in addition to meeting the minimum qualifications, demonstrate some or all the following education/skills/experience:

• Experience working with a specific issue facing client populations such as family violence, crisis intervention, substance abuse, services to the elderly or disabled.
• Bachelor's degree in a Human Services program.
• Possession of a valid driver's license and consistent access to a vehicle for required work-related activities.

Note: An equivalent combination of knowledge, education, job or intern experience, training, or certifications that provides the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully perform the job at the level listed may be substituted year-over-year.
Additional Information
For more detailed information about the Georgia Department Human Services
Employment Information Current State employees are subject to State Personnel Board (SPB) Rules regarding salary.
DHS is an Equal Opportunity Employer
If you require accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), email request by the closing date of this announcement to: @HRHelpline
The candidate selected for this position may be subject to pre-employment drug screening, education verification, reference, motor vehicle records, and criminal background checks.
DHS accepts educational credential recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and/or the US Department of Education (DOE) will be considered. DHS will contact educational institutions to verify degree, diploma, licensure, etc.
As an employee of DHS, in the event of an identified emergency you may be required, as a term and condition of employment, to assist in meeting the emergency responsibilities of the department.
Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or e-mail. All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. Selected applicants will be contacted by the hiring official for next steps in the selection process. Applicants who are not selected will not receive notification.
This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.
In addition to a competitive salary, DHS offers a generous benefits package, which includes employee retirement plan; paid holidays annually; vacation and sick leave; health, dental, vision, legal, disability, accidental death and dismemberment, health and child care spending account. Visit for more information.
Insurance
Health, dental, vision, legal, disability, accidental death and dismemberment, healthcare and childcare spending accounts, and life insurance plans are available.
Health Benefits : 1-800-610-1863
Flexible Benefits : 1-877-342-7339
Retirement
State employees participate in the Employee's Retirement System. Contributions are based on a percentage of salary and service date entry
Employee Retirement System: 1-800-805-4609
Deferred Compensation
Tax shelter plans are available that enable employees to provide for greater retirement security. Fund programs are available in both 457(k) and 401(k) plans.
Peach State Reserves : 1-877-342-7339
Credit Union
Employees are eligible to become members of the and
01
What is your highest level of education completed?

• Doctorate Degree
• Master's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Associate's Degree
• High School Diploma
• GED

02
Do you have a Bachelor's degree in a Human Services program?

• yes
• no

03
How many years of customer service experience do you have working with internal and external customers?

• None
• Less than 1 Year
• 1+ Years
• 2+ Years
• 3+ Years
• More than 4 Years

04
Do you have experience working with specific issue facing client populations such as family violence, crisis intervention, substance abuse, services to the elderly or disabled (Experience must be shown on application)?

• Yes
• No

05
How many years of experience do you have performing initial investigations of protective service reports for cases meeting APS criteria?

• None
• Less than 1 Year
• 1 + Years
• 2 + Years
• 3 + Years
• 4 + Years

06
How proficient are you in Microsoft Office?

• None
• Beginner
• Intermediate
• Advanced
• Expert

Required Question