Aps Investigator Advanced

Would you like to be part of an amazing team that helps Arizonans thrive At the Department of Economic Security (DES) we strengthen individuals families and communities for a better quality of life. DES is looking for individuals who are committed to service community and teamwork. To learn more about DES please visit ; or click on the link here to view Our DES video. Come Join the DES Team!

The position works the highest-level cases in Adult Protective Services (APS) including criminal sexual assault major financial fraud and criminal enterprise and repeat perpetrator cases including extensive coordination with the Attorney Generals Office police FBI IRS and state licensing boards.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Assess and respond to allegations of the highest levels of abuse sexual assault and abuse neglect and exploitation of vulnerable adults. Respond within approved time frames to cases deemed critical incidents.
Prioritize cases with the greatest risk securing the necessary services and resources. Review complex medical police fiduciary financial and social service records.
Identify patterns of behavior using available criminal records data dashboards and other research. Review complex financial records and prepare extensive spreadsheets to identify fraud and/or exploitation.
Create a safety plan refer to appropriate services and resources.
Maintain regular contact with vulnerable adults guardians fiduciaries and caretakers to determine if there are ongoing risks to clients safety and whether alleged perpetrators still have access to any vulnerable clients.
Organize plan and prioritize work; participate in staffing hearings and other meetings.
Coordinate with local police departments and the criminal justice branch of the attorney generals office to conduct parallel investigations for the best outcomes for clients. Testify in court.

Knowledge of:
Applicable federal and state statutes international agreements regulations and policies related to assigned program duties.
DES rules regulations policies and procedures and the principles and practices of public administration
Interviewing techniques
Criminal laws related to elder abuse financial exploitation.
Skills in:
Evidence gathering techniques
Research methodology project planning development organization and work flow techniques
Gathering organizing analyzing interpreting and summarizing data and information from varied sources
Building and maintaining working relationships with other departments outside representatives community groups/leaders and staff
Ability to:
Understand interpret apply and implement complex federal state department and legislative laws rules regulations policies and procedures
Exercise a high degree of discretion confidentiality and independent judgment
Serve as subject matter expert related to programmatic duties
Manage and balance a full range of complex cases

The ideal candidate for this position will have:
Have a Bachelors or Masters Degree in Social Work Criminal Justice Rehabilitation Healthcare or closely related field AND at least 5 years of experience in investigations including experience testifying in court forensic interviewing gathering evidence and coordination with other entities.
CFI (Certified Forensic Interviewer) certificate preferred.

Candidates for this position shall be subject to a search of both the Child Protective Services Central Registry pursuant to A.R.S. 8-804 and the Adult Protective Services Registry pursuant to A.R.S. 46-459.
A.R.S. 41-1968 Employee shall have a valid unrestricted Level One fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute 41-1758.07 in order to work with children and vulnerable adults prior to the start of their employment.
In-state travel is required:Drivers License Requirements. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current valid class-appropriate drivers license complete all required training and successfully pass all necessary drivers license record checks. The license must be current unexpired and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to drivers license record checks must maintain acceptable driving records and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R.11).
Successfully pass background and reference checks; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the agencys ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.
All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The Arizona Department of Economic Security offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

Affordable medical dental life and short-term disability insurance plans
Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and long-term disability plans
10 paid holidays per year
Paid vacation and sick time
Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child.
Deferred compensation plan
Wellness plans
Tuition Reimbursement
Stipend Opportunities
Infant at Work Program
Rideshare and Public Transit Subsidy
Career Advancement & Employee Development Opportunities

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave programhere. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona please visit our benefits page

State employees are required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) the State sponsored retirement contribution plan and the Long-Term Disability (LTD) program after a 27-week waiting period. The ASRS defined benefit plan provides for life-long income upon retirement. You will also have the option to participate in a voluntary deferred compensation program to take advantage of tax-deferred retirement investments.

On or shortly after your first day of work you will be provided with additional information about the available insurance plans enrollment instructions submission deadlines and effective dates.

For questions about this career opportunity please contact us Brenda Cruz at or
The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting Brenda Cruz at or Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.