Social Services Investigator - Child Support
Hybrid
Recruitment #230120-5043SH-001
| Location |
Bridgeport, CT
Danbury, CT Hartford, CT Manchester, CT Middletown, CT New Britain, CT New Haven, CT Norwich, CT Stamford, CT Torrington, CT Waterbury, CT Windham, CT Windsor, CT |
|---|---|
| Date Opened | 1/27/2023 12:00:00 AM |
| Salary | $63,517 - $79,312/year |
| Job Type | Open to Agency Employees |
| Close Date | 2/3/2023 11:59:00 PM |
Introduction
The State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services (DSS), Child Support Agency is currently recruiting Social Service Investigators.
Position Highlights:
- Full-time, 40 hours per week
- Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Opportunities available in our office across the state including: Bridgeport, Danbury, Hartford Central Office (Hartford), Manchester, Middletown, New Britain, New Haven, Norwich, Stamford, Torrington, Waterbury, Willimantic (Windham), Greater Hartford Office (Windsor)
- We are creating a pool that will be used to fill current and future vacancies in this job class. When applying for this position, please be sure to check off all locations you are interested in.
Our agency delivers and funds a wide range of programs and services as Connecticut’s multi-faceted health and human services agency. DSS serves about 1 million residents of all ages in all 169 Connecticut cities and towns. We support the basic needs of children, families, older and other adults, including persons with disabilities. Services are delivered through 12 field offices, central administration, and online and phone access options. Follow us on twitter@ctdss and see what we are all about!
State of Connecticut employees participate in a competitive benefits plan that includes:
- Excellent health and dental coverage;
- A generous retirement plan;
- Paid time off;
- A healthy work/life balance!
Discover the opportunity to:
- Engage in a rewarding career;
- Assist our employees so they can achieve success;
- Make a difference in the public sector; and
- Work together in a collaborative team environment.
About the State of Connecticut:
Living in Connecticut allows you to live with mountains, forests, ocean fronts, rivers, and a wonderful green countryside right at your doorstep. The state has charm, elegance, and a high standard of living. Our school systems offer an outstanding education, and our communities are among the safest in the country. Connecticut experiences all four seasons and gives you the option to choose living in sophisticated country-life or living in the center of a lively city.
We encourage you to come see all that Connecticut has to offer by joining the DSS team!
Selection Plan
In order to be considered for this job opening you must be a current State of CT employee of the agency listed above for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.
Application Process:
This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.
In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.
In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the minimum qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date, unless otherwise specified.
The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
Please ensure that your application is complete. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the state of Connecticut.
Selection Process:
This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. The email notification will include an expiration date by which you must submit (Finish) your responses. Please regularly check your email for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders, as emails could end up there in error.
During the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation supporting their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: performance reviews, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc. at the discretion of the agency.
Contact Information:
Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process.
Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Christopher Lavallee at Christopher.Lavallee@ct.gov.
PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
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.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
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, SKILL AND ABILITY
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.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
Five (5) years of experience in the investigation of real and personal assets related to child support obligations.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED
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.
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.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience applying principles and practices of the child support enforcement program
- Experience applying relevant state and federal child support statutes, regulations, and policy
- Experience analyzing and recommending solutions to complex child support problems
- Experience establishing and maintaining productive relationships with colleagues and partner agencies
- Experience researching, gathering detailed data, and drafting complex correspondence and reports
- Experience listening and responding to customer complaints via phone/email contact
- Experience with Microsoft 365: Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel, and Teams
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
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.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.
Conclusion
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.
E-mailPhone: (860) 713-52058am - 4:30pm M-FPowered by
