DSHS OOS OFA Investigator 4

State-of-Washington; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

King County premium pay

Free ORCA transit card

Job summary

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services seeks an Investigator 4 to independently conduct and resolve complex investigations into welfare and vendor fraud under IOI guidelines. The role partners with the CDI Program to pursue statewide cases and develop new investigative methods.

Ideal candidates will have strong interviewing and evidence-gathering skills, knowledge of applicable federal and state regulations, and the ability to coordinate with federal/state agencies.

Qualifications

• Four years as an Investigator in state service, including at least one year supervising.
• Six years as an Investigator in criminal justice or related field, with four years in the field.
• Collegiate coursework may substitute two years of college for one year of experience.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates efforts with SSA OIG CDI Unit Team Leader and CDI Unit members.
• Investigates statewide fraud or related crimes per SAH and CDI manuals.
• Conducts surveillance and videotapes Title-II/SSI claimants suspected of fraud.
• Interviews subjects, witnesses, and others as needed.
• Coordinates interaction with federal/state/local law enforcement.
• Works with agencies and prosecutors on complex cases.
• Drafts, serves, and executes subpoenas and search warrants.
• Handles and maintains evidence per laws and SSA/OIG policy.
• Provides testimony in court and administrative proceedings.
• Prepares reports and maintains records usable in court.

Skills

Interviewing techniques

Communication skills

Evidence gathering

Education

College-level coursework in business/public administration/law/criminal justice

Job description

DSHS OOS OFA Investigator 4

The Department of the Office of the Secretary is hiring for an Investigator to join their team.

In accordance with the Office of Fraud and Accountability (OFA) Investigative Guidelines and Procedures, the Investigator 4 independently conducts and resolves complex and difficult criminal investigations to substantiate allegations of welfare and vendor fraud in Intentional Overpayment Investigations (IOI). Investigations involve all public assistance programs administered by DSHS and in accordance with all Service Level Agreements, include but are not limited to: TANF, SNAP, EBT misuse and childcare. Crimes investigated include but are not limited to theft, forgery, perjury and violations pertaining to the unlawful receipt of public assistance (welfare) monies and food benefit trafficking.

This position will function as a unique part of OFA headquarters by partnering with Economic Services Administration’s (ESA) Division of Disability Determination Services (DDDS) and their Cooperative Disability Investigation (CDI) Program for their work. The investigator will be responsible for investigating cases that have a statewide impact/reach, working new and emerging fraud cases. This position will also be responsible for implementing new methods, procedures, or revised investigative techniques.

The mission of the CDI Program is to combat fraud by investigating statements and activities that raise suspicion of Social Security disability fraud by claimants, medical providers, interpreters, or other service providers. This position plans, develops and conducts statewide investigations of cases referred to the CDI Unit and provides expert guidance and consultation to Social Security Administration, the Office of the Inspector General, and WA State Disability Determination Services. The work of the CDI Unit supports the strategic goal of ensuring integrity of the Social Security programs with zero tolerance for fraud and abuse and serves to deter fraud in related Federal and State benefit programs.

Note: King County employees receive 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary and are eligible to receive a free ORCA card for transportation use.

Here’s some of what you'll be doing:

• Coordinates efforts with the SSA’s OIG’s CDI Unit Team Leader and other members of the CDI Unit.
• Investigates statewide allegations of fraud or related crimes referred to the CDI unit in accordance with written procedures in the SSA/OIG Special Agent Handbook (SAH) and the SSA CDI Unit Operations Manual (Manual).
• Conducts surveillance and videotapes the activities of Title-II and Title-XVI (SSI) claimants and beneficiaries suspected of committing fraud or similar fault;
• Interviews subjects of investigations, witnesses, and others, as needed.
• Coordinates, as necessary, interaction with Federal, other State, or local law enforcement agencies.
• Works collaboratively with and provides expert guidance to Federal, State, and/or local law enforcement agencies and prosecuting attorneys on complex, multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional (both intra- and inter-state) criminal, civil, and administrative cases.
• Participates in drafting, serving, and executing of Federal, state, or local subpoenas and search warrants.
• Handles, processes, and maintains evidence in accordance with applicable Federal and state laws and SSA/OIG policy.
• Provides testimony in criminal, civil, and administrative proceedings in Federal and State courts.
• Prepares required reports and maintains records of investigations to the standard that they may be used as evidence in court.

What we're looking for:

• Strong skills in communication and interviewing techniques.
• Ability to gather, preserve and present relevant and pertinent evidence without arising undue or undesirable comment among employees, supervisors, or top-level managers.
• Interpret and apply federal and state statures, applicable regulations, policies and procedures.

Who should apply?

• Professionals with four years of experience as an Investigator within State services, at least one year of which must have been as a supervisor
• Six years of experience as an Investigator with a criminal justice government agency, private organization, or other directly allied field, four years must include field experience.
• College-level course-work with major emphasis in business administration, public administration, law, one of the criminal justice disciplines, or directly allied field may be substituted for the required experience based on two years of college work for one year of experience.
• Equivalent education/experience.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Questions?

Contact the recruiter, Alex Baclaan by email at [e-mail], and reference 07243 in the subject.

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at [phone]. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

Relationship and Reporting Structure (Ne potism) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here. Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.

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