Social Services Investigator - Fraud and Resources

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).

All State employees shall follow the guidelines as listed in Executive Orders  13F (3a) and 13G (3a)

The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.

Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process. 

Note:  At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position.  These documents may include:  a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.  Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position. 

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board  (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam. 

The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Michelle Gara at Michelle.Gara@ct.gov.

In the Department of Social Services, Investigations Division, this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in investigations relevant to fraud and recovery of public assistance.

Performs investigations of suspected fraudulent activity by providers or recipients of various programs administered by the department, including but not limited to Medicaid, SNAP, Child Care, CEAP, TFA, PCA Waiver, State Supplement; conducts interviews with clients, recipients and providers; contacts employers, financial institutions and other agencies to obtain information; conducts interviews and obtains information about income, real property and all personal assets; works closely with other State agencies; conducts field visits and surveillance when appropriate; prepares detailed investigation reports; consults with and provides case information to agency Legal Division, Office of the Attorney General and Chief State's Attorney; prepares arrest warrant applications (affidavits); prepares subpoenas; prepares summaries and testifies at administrative hearings, probate hearings and other court hearings.

FRAUD: Conducts research on active and closed case files where there is an allegation, suspicion or actual program violation; identifies and evaluates demographics data and financial resources pertaining to applicant, client, deceased client or relative; performs various data integrity matches and subsequent investigation; analyzes financial data and legal documents and substantiates intentional program violations; conducts title searches to identify ownership and transfer history of personal and real property and determines if a property lien, assignment of interest on claims or decedent's estate is necessary; conducts research to determine fair market value of all assets; prepares various financial documents and executes assignment of interest in claims, estates and other assets; provides consultation of legal and policy requirements and procedures; makes recommendations to management and negotiates with attorneys and financial institutions; conducts interviews and unannounced home visits to interview applicants, client and/or third party to determine facts related to eligibility or program violations; determines and documents intentional program violation and whether the case warrants an administrative hearing or referral for criminal prosecution; conducts electronic bank transfer Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) client trafficking investigations and assists in retailer SNAP trafficking; performs related duties as required.

RESOURCES: Conducts property appraisals and comparable property sales searches to determine fair market value of real market property; conducts title searches of real property, reviews records lien with town clerks, investigates income/assets to determine improper transfers of assets, calculates and recommends penalty periods for improper transfer of assets; conducts investigations for closed case reviews and calculates funeral payments; prepares and executes assignments of interest in claims; prepares spousal assessments reports; retrieves and investigates collateral contact information; conducts investigation to determine the financial resources for the determination of recipient eligibility; calculates overpayments; prepares fraud referral packages; performs related duties as required.

Knowledge of public assistance 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 property ownership and personal finances; 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 gather and analyze financial data; ability to interpret financial and legal documents for cases supporting fraud; ability to summarize and articulate findings; ability to prepare reports; ability to perform arithmetical computations; ability to utilize computer software and systems.

Five (5) years of experience in fraud investigations related to public assistance programs or real and personal assets.

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 (Fraud and Resources) may substitute for the General Experience.
3. For state employees, one (1) year as a Social Services Investigator (Child Support) substitutes for the General Experience.
4. For state employees, two (2) years as an Eligibility Service Worker may substitute for the General Experience.

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.