Social Services Investigator - Fraud

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.

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING: 

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library for additional support throughout the recruitment process. 

BEFORE YOU APPLY: 

• Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.  
• Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below.
• Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency. 
• Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift. 
• Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State.  Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov. 
• Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other. 
• Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

AFTER YOU APPLY: 

• Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).   
• Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression! 
• Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.  
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.  
• Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.

QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP: 

Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Rocky Young at Rocky.Young@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.
• Performs related duties as required.

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.

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

• 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.
• For state employees, one (1) year as a Social Services Investigator (Child Support) substitutes for the General Experience.
• For state employees, two (2) years as an Eligibility Service Worker may substitute for the General Experience.
• Successful completion of a Connecticut Careers Trainee program approved by the Department of Administrative Services may be substituted for the General Experience.

• Travel to DSS sub-offices, state courts and administrative state agencies may be required.
• 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.

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes.  As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.