Fraud Investigator - Multiple Vacancies

Department of Labor; Presque Isle (ME); On-site; USD 48,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

13 paid holidays

12 days sick leave

3+ weeks vacation leave

Health Insurance Coverage

Dental Insurance

Retirement Plan

Job summary

The Maine Department of Labor’s Bureau of Unemployment Compensation seeks two Wage Fraud Investigators to detect and prevent misrepresentation in unemployment benefits. You will interview claimants and witnesses by phone, write decisions, and analyze complex information to determine eligibility and protect public funds.

Ideal candidates have a Bachelor's degree and two years of public-contact or investigative experience, with strong written and verbal communication, attention to detail, and the

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, Economics, Finance, or related field; two years of technical/public-contact experience showing interviewing, data gathering, and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Interview claimants, employers, and witnesses by phone to determine eligibility and chargeability to employer accounts.
• Write clear, concise decisions documenting UC benefit determinations and charges.
• Evaluate investigative information, make referrals, and initiate actions protecting state funds.
• Explain laws, rules, and policies to claimants, employers, and the public.
• Investigate, document, and report misrepresentation to determine validity and prepare investigation reports.
• Testify at hearings and in court to present decisions.
• Plan, direct, and coordinate work of staff and provide training to ensure policy conformity.

Skills

Interviewing techniques

Report writing

Evidence presentation

Attention to detail

Analytical reasoning

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Department of Labor Job Class Code: 5040 Grade: 22 (Professional/Technical) Salary: $47,646.56 - $66,491.36/Annually - includes a 1% stipend Location: Presque Isle, Portland, Lewiston, Augusta, ME Opening Date: September 3, 2026 Closing Date: September 18, 2026 Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

Are you a detail‑oriented investigator with an exceptional eye for detecting fraud and misrepresentation? Do you have the analytical confidence to make tough decisions and stand by them? The Maine Department of Labor’s Bureau of Unemployment Compensation is seeking two Wage Fraud Investigators to safeguard Maine’s Unemployment Trust Fund. In this pivotal role, you will investigate potential benefit overpayments—determining whether discrepancies stem from simple errors or intentional fraud—and oversee necessary corrective actions. Additionally, you will analyze identity documents to detect and prevent identity theft, ensuring benefits reach legitimate claimants.

Key Expectation

To succeed in this role, you will develop a deep operational knowledge of the full Unemployment Claims lifecycle, including claims entry and eligibility adjudications.

Primary Responsibilities

• Interview claimants, employers, and other witnesses largely by phone to determine claimant eligibility for compensation and which employer account, if any, to charge.
• Writes clear and concise decisions to document UC benefit determinations and which employer account, if any, to charge.
• Evaluate and assess all investigative information to make referrals and determine and initiate the best course of action that protects the State’s application of laws, rules, and use of unemployment funds.
• Explains laws, regulations, commission rules, precedents, and Department policies regarding eligibility, disqualifications, and appeals to provide information to claimants, employers, and the public.
• Investigates, researches, and documents allegations of misrepresentation and fraudulent claims to determine validity and prepare reports of investigation.
• Testifies at hearings and in court to present and justify written decisions rendered.
• Plans, assigns, and oversees the work of subordinate staff, as well as provides training to ensure applicable laws, rules, regulations, and policies are applied consistently and equitably.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of In‑depth interviewing techniques
• Clear and concise report writing
• Strong oral and written presentation of evidence and facts
• Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and professional judgment.
• Ability to communicate findings clearly and confidently in both written and verbal formats.
• Ability to Ability to analyze complex or incomplete information and make a well‑reasoned, defensible decision based on available evidence.
• Communicate effectively.
• Write clearly and effectively.
• Determine benefit eligibility.
• Interpret and apply laws, rules, and regulations in specific circumstances.
• Compile and analyze facts, reach logical conclusions, and make sound recommendations.
• Deal effectively with irate or confused clients.
• Demonstrate competent time management.
• Write complete and understandable decisions and reports.
• Plan, direct, and coordinate the work of subordinate staff.

Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelors Degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, Economics, Finance, or related field and two (2) years of technical, administrative, or paraprofessional support level experience in public contact work which demonstrates interviewing, data gathering, and analytical skills.
• Comparable work experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• The ideal candidate would have experience in unemployment claims, unemployment adjudication, or investigations.
• Experience with decision making is preferred.

Benefits of working for the State of Maine

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—'Dirigo' or 'I lead'—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96 - $12,514.32 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.
• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($387.92 annual value).
• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 14.06% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS) for MSEA, or 18.86% for Confidential employees.

State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness. Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than fulltime.

Equal Opportunity Employer

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics.

If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Thinking about applying?

Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.