Protective Services Investigator

The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) is seeking a dynamic investigator to conduct civil investigations of allegations of abuse by a caregiver of a person with a physical disability between the ages of 18 to 59. The selected candidate will work to eliminate abuse and reduce further risk through crisis intervention, advocacy, and by securing community resources.

The ideal candidate will have strong written and oral communication skills as well as an ability to collect and synthesize information concisely. Responsibilities include face-to-face interviews and home visits; candidate must be able to assess homes and environments for safety and risk. Preferred candidate has an understanding and working knowledge of chronic medical conditions, disability-related issues, adult Protective Services, and on a rotating basis respond to emergency calls received by the 24-hour DPPC Hotline staff.

The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) is a learning and participatory performance culture with an emphasis on high-performance teams, individual performance/contribution/impact, and engaging in activities to promote and support a program/division/agency (e.g., committee membership, Roadmap workgroup membership, presenting at Town Halls). In addition, MRC is an agency committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and racial equity, as well as innovation, transformation, and change, and creating a culture of agility, excellence, and belonging. MRC has approximately 800 employees working in a hybrid remote and in-office environment.

Please note: Applicants must have access to reliable transportation and possess a valid driver's license as travel throughout the Commonwealth of MA is essential to this role.
Home Office subject to change.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all-inclusive):

• Conducts MGL 19C investigations of abuse which includes visiting and interviewing alleged victim(s) and perpetrator(s); prepares a written detailed report/summary.
• Responds via telephone to the parties who have filed the complaint of abuse and convenes as case conference with the administrator on call.
• Conducts in depth protective service assessments for consumers who have been found to be abused.
• Prepares service/safety plans, in cooperation with consumers, which identify the nature, duration, and providers of the services.
• Conducts regular home visits to protective service consumers and routinely visits any program that those consumers may attend.
• Liaises with outside vendors, courts, and law enforcement entitles as necessary (DPPC staff and law enforcement entities (Police, DA's offices) for involved cases.
• Provides on the job training and orientation for new employees by attending those employees on home visits and investigations.
• Develops and approves recommendations to institutions, where abuse has occurred, to ensure that consumers of human services in those agencies are free from the risk of continued abuse; supervises the agency's oversight of those recommendations.
• Adheres to all department policies and procedures.
• Via the DPPC 24-hour Hotline, responds to emergency situations  to ensure the safety of alleged victims

Required Qualifications:

• Experience with Protective Service cases, or equivalent experience working with individuals with disabilities.
• Ability to effectively communicate on an on-going basis with service users, service providers/collateral contacts and colleagues.
• Ability to coordinate with law enforcement entities and authorities.
• Capacity to conduct psychosocial protective service assessments.
• Knowledge of the dynamics of interpersonal violence.
• Ability to respond on a rotational basis to emergency situations via the DPPC 24-hour Hotline.
• Strong sense of understanding with the dynamics of interpersonal violence and neglect.
• Demonstrated practice in preparing detailed reports in a timely and accurate manner.
• Skilled in the ability to hold staff accountable and provide direct feedback.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Three (3) years' experience in crisis intervention, counseling, case management or investigations.
• Knowledge of case management for community services programs.
• Capacity to work under pressure and meet deadlines, while maintaining a positive attitude and providing exemplary oversight of services.
• Ability to participate in professional, multidisciplinary meetings to include internal and external staff meetings.
• Proficiency with Microsoft applications including Word, Outlook, Excel, and Teams.

Candidates who are Bilingual in Spanish are strongly encouraged to apply

About the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission:

MRC provides services that break down barriers and empower people with disabilities to live life on their own terms. Our programs focus on vocational rehabilitation, community living, and disability determination for federal benefit programs. We are change agents and community builders. We put the people we serve at the heart of everything we do.  We envision a Commonwealth that is open to all, where everyone can seize their true potential and contribute fully to our communities and the world.  Together with stakeholders, partners, and allies, MRC collaborates, problem solves, and innovates to bring about a better Massachusetts for everyone-one that is truly equitable, accessible, and inclusive.

Pre-Offer Process: 

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori and click on "Information for Job Applicants."

As part of the hiring process, the Office of Human Resources will be verifying any college-level degrees conferred to the selected candidate. Additionally, any licensure required for the position will be verified. Information provided as part of the hiring process is subject to the Massachusetts Public Record Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website. 

Education, licensure, and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines. 

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the https://www.mass.gov/reasonable-accommodations-for-executive-department-employee

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option 4.

Applicants should upload a cover letter and resume for the Protective Services Investigator requisition.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least (A) three years of full time, or equivalent part-time, professional, administrative or managerial experience in business administration, business management or public administration the major duties of which involved program management, program administration, program coordination, program planning and/or program analysis, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Substitutions:

I. A Bachelor's degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the-required experience.*

II. A Graduate degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for the required experience.*

III. A Bachelor's or higher degree with a major other than in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience.*

*Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.  Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.