Senior Investigator

Chicago Housing Authority; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation and personal PTO

Health and dental insurance

Disability insurance

Pension plan

Hybrid work schedule

Parking/transit

Prepaid legal services

Job summary

The Office of the Inspector General at Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) seeks a Senior Investigator to lead criminal and administrative investigations into fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, and misconduct across CHA programs.

The role requires strong leadership, collaboration with law enforcement, and expert report writing. 90-day background checks apply; hybrid work may be available following probation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 7+ years of investigative experience with research, interviews, and reporting.
• Strong written and verbal communication; discretion handling sensitive information.
• Experience in fraud, waste, abuse, or ethics investigations preferred.

Responsibilities

• Take primary responsibility for assigned case load of criminal and administrative investigations.
• Gather evidence through site visits, open source research, subpoenas, and documentation.
• Conduct investigative interviews and prepare detailed reports of activities.
• Review data and financial records to identify waste, fraud or misconduct.
• Maintain organized case files and testify in court, arbitrations, or hearings.

Skills

Investigative experience

Report writing

Interviews

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Word

Excel

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Office of the Inspector General is an independent body within the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) responsible for investigations and audits to identify fraud, theft, waste, abuse, and misconduct within or affecting CHA. The OIG works to promote integrity and effectiveness in all CHA programs.

The Senior Investigator will be responsible for conducting administrative and criminal investigations of alleged fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, and misconduct by the Authority’s officers, employees, Commissioners, CHA residents, program participants, and contractors. A Senior Investigator is expected to provide skilled leadership and work collaboratively with other investigative staff to conduct criminal investigations, financial/public benefits fraud investigations, procurement and contracting fraud investigations, and other complex investigations.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Take primary responsibility for assigned case load of criminal and administrative investigations, from development of investigative work plan, collection of evidence, to recommendation for case disposition, consistent with policies and procedures set forth by the Inspector General
• Gather evidence through a variety of methods including but not limited to site visits, open source research, document requests, administrative and grand jury subpoenas, and photography and video.
• Conduct investigative interviews of complainants, witnesses, and subjects
• Prepare detailed reports to document all investigative activities conducted during an investigation
• Review and analyze extensive data, business records, and financial records to determine whether evidence of waste, fraud, or misconduct exists
• Maintain well-organized investigative case files and documentation in OIG electronic case management system
• Make recommendations for corrective action to impacted business units; share ideas on improving overall efficiencies
• Testify in criminal and civil court, at arbitrations, and at administrative hearings
• Work on joint investigations with law-enforcement agencies including but not limited to the Federal Bureau of Investigations, HUD OIG, Social Security OIG, Department of Labor OIG, and respond to requests from prosecutors (State and Federal)
• Perform other duties as assigned and consistent with the department mission

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university supplemented by a preferred minimum of 7 years of investigative experience involving investigative research and report writing, in-person interviews, and fact-finding analysis, preferably in an investigative, legal, or compliance environment, with an emphasis on financial and contractor fraud, benefits fraud, employee misconduct, or ethics investigations.

This position requires: strong interpersonal skills, a collaborative mindset, and the ability to work with a wide range of constituencies with diplomacy, tact, and discretion in handling confidential information. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with knowledge of the applicable federal and state laws and regulations. Exceptional organizational, time-management, and decision-making skills. A self-motivated individual with sound judgment, and demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills. A facility with computer software applications, including Word and Excel. A valid driver’s license is required.

Within 90 days of hire, selected candidate will be required to be fingerprinted for criminal background check. Employment will be contingent upon the results of the fingerprint based criminal history background search.

BENEFITS AT-A-GLANCE

• Vacation, Sick and Personal, competitive PTO package
• Medical (HMO, PPO, and No employee cost High-Deductible PPO) Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Care Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Parking Transit
• Prepaid Legal Services
• Brightstar 529 College Savings Plan
• Identity Theft Protection
• Hospital Indemnity Insurance
• Voluntary Critical Illness Insurance
• Deferred Compensation Plan: Empower 457/401(a) with a 3% employer match
• Pension Plan: CHA makes contributions on behalf of the employee, along with the employee's 3% contribution; 100% vesting occurs after 6 years of continuous employment or opt-out of CHA's Retirement Plan and continues to participate in the Municipal Employees Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago
• Hybrid work schedule (position specific) This position may be eligible for remote work following a successful completion of a 90-day probationary period according to CHA’s established policies and procedures.

Salary Range: $95,000 – 100,000

Grade: S9

FLSA: Exempt

Union: None