DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY

Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS)
Adult Protective Services (APS)
Address: 125 East Elliot Road, Chandler, Arizona 85225
1455 South Alvernon Way, Tucson, Arizona 85711

Salary: $32.69 / Hourly 

Grade: 20

Closing Date: 7/6/2026

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 des.az.gov; 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 General's Office, police, FBI, IRS and state licensing boards.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

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 general's 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 Bachelor’s or Master’s 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: Driver’s License Requirements. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s 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.) R2-10-207.11).
• Successfully pass background and reference checks; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the agency’s 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

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program here. 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 480-493-9033 or BCruz@azdes.gov
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 480-493-9033 or BCruz@azdes.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.