Social Services Investigator - Fraud and Resources

Hybrid

Recruitment #230123-5042SH-001

Location

Bridgeport, CT
Hartford, CT
Manchester, CT
New Haven, 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

Go Back View Benefits

Introduction

The State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services (DSS), Fraud and Resources Division is recruiting for a Social Services Investigator in the Resources Unit.

The Schedule:

Full-time
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Hybrid Role
Opportunities available in our office across the state including: our Central Office (Hartford), Bridgeport, Manchester, New Haven, and Greater Hartford Office (Windsor)

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

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

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, SKILL AND ABILITY

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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

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

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 (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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience with DSS Resources and Fraud functions and operations.
Experience providing training and support to staff.
Experience with investigatory methods and techniques.
Experience locating, interpreting and applying policies, State Statutes and Federal Regulations
Experience interacting with clients and their authorized representatives for overpayment recoveries and associated penalties.
Experience using ImpaCT, Microsoft Word, Access and Excel to manage data, write reports, track work and schedule meetings.
Experience communicating effectively across all levels of an organization, including both internal and external partners.

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.

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.