Social Services Investigator - Child Support

The State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services (DSS) is recruiting for a Social Services Investigator position, within the Office of Child Support Services, located in our Middletown Field Office. The position is 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current State of CT employee of the Department of Social Services, who has permanent state status*, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening.  You must specify your qualifications on your application. 

*For employees in the classified service, permanent status is obtained after successful completion of a working test period.  For employees in the unclassified service, permanent status is obtained after serving in a position for at least six months (full-time or full-time equivalent).

Candidates selected for interview must bring the following at the time of interview: two (2) most recent service ratings and attendance records for the last two (2) years.

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Nicole Brown at Nicole.Brown@ct.gov, (860) 424-5630.

In the Department of Social Services, this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in investigations relevant to the enforcement of child support obligations.

Performs investigations to locate noncustodial and alleged parents; secures acknowledgements of paternity or participates in legal proceedings to establish paternity; performs investigations to determine financial resources of noncustodial parents, father of minor children, legally liable relatives and client; meets with noncustodial parents and their attorneys in an attempt to establish an agreement of financial support; secures agreements to support or participates in legal proceedings to establish court ordered financial and medical obligations; determines value of real estate and personal property; interviews custodial and/or noncustodial parents, alleged parents, legally liable relatives or clients to obtain information about paternity, income, real estate and personal assets or location; contacts employers and public and private agencies to obtain location and/or information about absent parents alleged fathers or legally liable relatives; prepares and files liens; performs title searches and negotiates releases of liens, mortgages, sales and transfers of property, accident or lawsuit settlements and decedent estates; determines, reviews and modifies amount of support to be paid by noncustodial parents; explains legal and policy requirements and procedures to clients, noncustodial parents, legally liable relatives, the general public and others; provides case information to Office of the Attorney General; prepares support petitions; serves summons or orders of notice; testifies in court on cases involving support, arrearages or claims for reimbursement; determines appropriate actions to enforce compliance with court orders; reviews discontinued cases for possible redirection of child support and refunds of excess child support money or recovery of public assistance money, prepares summaries and testifies at fair hearings; performs related duties as required.

Knowledge of public assistance programs concerning children and the financial obligations related to these programs; knowledge of investigatory methods and techniques; knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply relevant agency policies and procedures; knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; knowledge of economic, social and health problems affecting family security; knowledge of property ownership, personal finances, paternity and child support issues; knowledge of court procedures and related legal instruments; some knowledge of legal terminology; skill in conducting investigations; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; interviewing skills; ability to understand and interpret legal and financial documents; ability to prepare reports; ability to perform arithmetical computations; ability to negotiate settlements with legally liable party; ability to utilize computer software and systems.

Five (5) years of experience in the investigation of real and personal assets related to child support obligations.

1. College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's Degree.
2. For state employees, one (1) year as a Connecticut Career Trainee with the target class of Social Services Investigator (Child Support) substitutes for the General Experience.
3. For state employees, one (1) year as a Social Services Investigator (Fraud and Resources) may be substituted for the General Experience.
4. For state employees, two (2) years as a Eligibility Services Workers may substitute for the General Experience.

The preferred candidate should possess: strong written and verbal communication skills; the ability to work independently as well as in a team setting; ability to understand and interpret legal and financial documents; knowledge of court procedures and related legal remedies; experience conducting investigations and interviews; the ability to perform mathematical computations; familiarity with Microsoft Office applications and State systems and databases; knowledge of public assistance programs concerning children; knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply relevant agency policies and procedures.

1. Travel to DSS sub-offices, state courts and administrative state agencies may be required.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.