Under general supervision, learns to perform
basic investigative and administrative work relating to suspected fraudulent
application for and/or receipt of welfare benefits; and does related or other
work as required in accordance with Rule 3, Section 3 of the Civil Service
Rules.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is the entry level class in the Welfare
Fraud Specialist series, which is used in the Human Services Agency. Employees in this class learn to participate
in welfare fraud investigations by providing administrative and technical
support to the investigative process.
Incumbents in this class are not designated as peace officers and
therefore are not responsible for the full scope of investigative duties associated
with the enforcement of the Welfare and Institutions Codes.
TYPICAL DUTIES
In a training capacity, learns to perform the following duties:
Performs basic investigative and administrative work relating to the suspected fraudulent application for and/or receipt of welfare benefits.
Locates suspected persons, absent parents, and witnesses; conducts interviews with the permission of the interviewee; analyzes and evaluates the information provided during the interview.
Contacts and, with permission, interviews individuals and representatives for business or governmental organizations.
Examines a variety of records to secure information concerning suspected violations; gathers, assembles, preserves, and reports facts, statements, or other information which may be useful in legal action.
Interprets and explains the provisions of laws, rules or regulations related to the purpose of the investigation to clients and others.
Assists Eligibility staff in making arrangements for the repayment of funds fraudulently obtained and enforcing collection of such funds.
Maintains records and reports regarding the funds collected as a result of investigative efforts.
Prepares reports and correspondence.
May testify at administrative hearings or in court as a representative of the Human Services Agency as required.
May serve as a liaison between the Human Services Agency and governmental and other agencies.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
EITHER
PATTERN I
Experience:
Two years in a California county welfare department at a level
equivalent to Eligibility Worker Supervisor OR Social Worker II in San Joaquin County
service.
OR
PATTERN II
Experience:
Three years in a California county welfare department at a level
equivalent to Eligibility Worker III in San Joaquin County service.
OR
PATTERN III
Experience:
Five years in a California county welfare department at a level
equivalent to Eligibility Worker II in San Joaquin County service.
Substitution:
Other California welfare department experience that required a thorough
understanding of welfare eligibility requirements may be substituted for the
above-required experience on a year-for-year basis.
AND
FOR ALL PATTERNS
License:
Possession of a valid California driver’s license.
KNOWLEDGE
Basic human behavior; goals of public assistance
agencies; welfare laws related to eligibility and social services; interviewing
principles and techniques; basic financial record keeping; basic sources of
information used in locating persons; general legal procedures and terminology
related to welfare fraud investigation; language usage, including proper
spelling and grammar.
ABILITY
Learn, interpret, and apply provisions of the
laws applicable to welfare fraud investigations; interview a wide variety of
individuals to gather information pertaining to suspected welfare fraud; analyze
and evaluate statements provided during interviews; identify options for
repayment of welfare funds which have been fraudulently obtained; maintain routine
financial records; deal tactfully with citizens and public officials under
sensitive conditions; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
establish and maintain effective relationships with those encountered during
the course of work; prepare effective correspondence and reports.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Mobility; frequently operate key board, sitting for long
periods of time and driving.; occasional walking; Lifting; Ability to
occasionally lift up to 30 pounds;Vision;constant overall vision, color/depth and eye hand coordination and
peripheral vision; frequent reading and close-up work; Dexterity; Frequent
repetitive motion and writing; occasional reaching, holding and grasping; Hearing/Talking;
Constant hearing normal speech; frequent talking in person, talking on the
telephone/radio; Emotional/SpecialConditions; Constant decision making and public contact; frequent concentration and
working alone; frequent exposure to poor ventilation and weather conditions.
San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.