Placer County

To conduct criminal and civil investigations of alleged welfare/fraud; check forgeries and failure to provide cases.

As assigned, receives direction from the Supervising Welfare Fraud Investigator or other professional, supervisory, or management classification.

May exercise technical and functional supervision over technical and clerical personnel.

• Interview complainants, suspects, relatives and other involved parties; obtain statements, documents and related factual evidence; and examine court, police and governmental records related to the investigation.
• Review information obtained to determine whether to recommend voluntary agreements; recommend or advise against issuance of complaint; assist in preparation of criminal cases for hearing and trial; and appear in court if required.
• Complete field investigations and conduct surveillance; gather, analyze and preserve evidence concerning crimes; keep records and prepare concise and professional reports relative to investigative work; and make arrests as necessary.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Three years of responsible criminal or civil investigative work performed on continuing assignment; or two years of responsible criminal or civil investigative work performed on continuing assignment and possession of a P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate issued by the California Commission on Police Officer Standards and Training.  Experience in specialized areas such as welfare fraud environment may be required depending upon the needs of the County.

Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.  Additional specialized training in criminal justice, investigative techniques or a related field is desirable.

Required License or Certificate:

• Successful completion of a Specialized Investigative Basic Course (SIBC) approved by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) or an equivalent course within the probationary period.
• Possession of Certificate of Completion of Penal Code 832 Course in Firearms issued by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) is preferred.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid driver's license.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Knowledge of:

• California and Federal statutory laws related to criminal and civil investigations, including welfare fraud investigation, arrest, custody, rules of evidence, search and seizure, interviewing and interrogation, and hearing and trial procedures.
• Administration of justice.
• Modern police science and technology.
• Public assistance programs.
• Modern office procedures, methods and personal computer equipment in network environment; operation of technical telecommunications systems such as CLETS.
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation; and basic accounting and mathematics.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers, reports and special projects; remember accounts given by witnesses; identify crime suspects; interpret and apply the law to field situations; observe while conducting surveillance; problem solve crime situations; and explain law to the public.
• On an intermittent basis, sit at desk or in vehicle; walk stand, bend, squat and kneel while retrieving files and documents; walk, stand, or climb stairs during field interviews, home visits or surveillance activities; twist while making arrests; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling and fine manipulation.  Use telephone and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means or retrieve information/data; see with sufficient acuity to observe subjects; hear and speak with sufficient acuity to interview and communicate with subjects, witnesses and other parties; and lift moderate weight.
• Investigate complex non-support cases while exercising sound independent judgment; analyze cases and assist attorneys in preparation for trials.
• Conduct multiple investigations and manage cases in various stages of progress.
• Compile oral and physical evidence; and analyze and evaluate evidence.
• Establish rapport with and manage witnesses.
• Referee disputes by citation hearings.
• Take detailed statements and affidavits.
• Prioritize work in order to meet various deadlines.
• Understand complexities of public assistance programs and regulations.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Obtain information through interview and deal fairly and courteously with the public.
• Act quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper course of action.
• Work unusual and/or prolonged work schedules while conducting investigations.
• Use a personal computer in a network environment, calculator, typewriter, telephone, dictation machine, facsimile machine, postage meter and photocopy machine.
• Tools and equipment used in investigation and arrest, including flashlight, handcuffs, binoculars, camera, police radio, tape recorder and fire arm as necessary.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.