Social Services Investigator - Fraud

State of Connecticut - Department of Social Services; Bridgeport (CT); Hybrid; USD 64,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Connecticut - Department of Social Services seeks a Social Services Investigator – Fraud to independently conduct complex investigations into program violations and asset assessments. You will review case files, financial records, and legal documents, conduct interviews and unannounced visits, and determine actions including administrative hearings or criminal referrals.

Ideal candidates have at least five years in fraud investigations related to public assistance, plus strong

Qualifications

• Five (5) years of experience in fraud investigations related to public assistance programs or real and personal assets.
• Knowledge of agency policies, state and federal laws, and investigative techniques.
• Ability to gather and analyze financial data and prepare reports.

Responsibilities

• Performs investigations of suspected fraudulent activity in programs such as Medicaid, SNAP, and CEAP.
• Conducts interviews with clients, recipients and providers.
• Contacts employers, financial institutions and other agencies to obtain information.
• Prepares detailed investigation reports and testifies at hearings.
• Collaborates with Legal Division, Office of the Attorney General, and other agencies.

Skills

Investigation skills

Interpersonal skills

Oral and written communication skills

Interviewing skills

Education

College training substitution for General Experience

State employee substitution for General Experience (1 year as SS Investigator)

State employee substitution for General Experience (2 years Eligibility Service Worker)

Job description

Introduction

Are you a current employee of the Department of Social Services with seven (5) years of experience in fraud investigations related to public assistance programs or real and personal assets? If so, we have an excellent opportunity for you to join our team as a Social Services Investigator – Fraud!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services (DSS) – is currently recruiting for multiple Social Services Investigator – Fraud positions in Central Office, Bridgeport, Danbury, Hartford, Manchester, New B… (list all) CT.

In this role, you will independently conduct complex investigations involving suspected or actual program violations, analyzing case files, financial records, legal documents, and data to identify fraud and determine appropriate action. You will conduct interviews and unannounced home visits, perform data integrity matches and SNAP trafficking investigations, research property ownership and asset values, and evaluate information to substantiate intentional program violations. You will also collaborate and negotiate with attorneys, financial institutions, and other stakeholders while providing guidance on legal and policy requirements and making recommendations regarding administrative hearings and potential criminal prosecution.

If you are a detail‑oriented, analytical professional who is motivated by investigative work and committed to protecting the integrity of services that support Connecticut residents, we encourage you to bring your skills to DSS and make an impact through public service!

Position Highlights

Locations: Central Office, Bridgeport, Danbury, Hartford, Manchester, New B… (list all) Only current Department of Social Services employees will be considered. Full‑time | 1st Shift | Hybrid | 40 Hours per week Monday – Friday | 8:00 am – 4:30 pm

What we can offer you:

• View our State Employee Benefits Overview page!
• Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities.
• A healthy work‑life balance to all employees!
• The State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service. Click here for more information.

Department Overview:

The State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services (DSS) delivers and funds a wide range of programs and services as Connecticut’s multi‑faceted health and human services agency. DSS services about 1 million residents of all ages in all 169 Connecticut cities and towns. We support the basic needs of children, families, older and other adults, including persons with disabilities. Services are delivered through 12 field offices, central administration, online and phone access options. Follow us on twitter @ctdss and see what we are all about!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

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.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• 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.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Knowledge of

• and ability to interpret and apply relevant agency policies and procedures;
• and ability to interpret and apply relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
• public assistance programs;
• investoratory methods and techniques;
• property ownership and personal finances;
• court procedures and related legal instruments;
• legal terminology;

Skills

• conducting investigation skills;
• interpersonal skills;
• oral and written communication skills;
• interviewing skills;

Ability to

• Gather and analyze financial data;
• Interpret financial and legal documents for cases supporting fraud;
• Summarize and articulate findings;
• Prepare reports;
• Perform arithmetical computations;
• Utilize computer software and systems.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

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

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

• 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.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

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.

Conclusion

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

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.