Social Services Investigator - Resources

State of Connecticut - Department of Social Services; Bridgeport (CT); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Connecticut Department of Social Services is hiring a Social Services Investigator – Resources in multiple locations. The role involves independently conducting complex investigations into financial resources, assets, and public assistance recovery.

You will research property records, perform appraisals, and evaluate potential improper transfers to determine eligibility and overpayments. Ideal candidates have 5 years of fraud investigation experience related to public assistance or

Qualifications

• Five (5) years of experience in fraud investigations related to public assistance programs or real and personal assets.
• Substitutions allowed: college coursework or state employee experience may substitute for general experience.
• Proficiency in interpreting financial data, assets and court documents.

Responsibilities

• Performs investigations of suspected fraudulent activity in programs like Medicaid, SNAP, and Child Care.
• Conducts interviews with clients, recipients and providers; contacts employers and financial institutions.
• Works with other state agencies and conducts field visits and surveillance as needed.
• Prepares detailed investigation reports and testifies at hearings.

Skills

Investigative skills

Interpersonal skills

Oral and written communication skills

Interviewing skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

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 – Resources!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services (DSS) – is currently recruiting for multiple Social Services Investigator – Resources positions in Central Office, Bridgeport, Danbury, Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, New Haven, Norwich, Stamford, Waterbury, and Windham, CT.

As a Social Services Investigator – Resources, you will independently conduct complex investigations involving financial resources, property, assets, and public assistance recovery. You will research real property records, conduct property appraisals and comparable sales searches, perform title searches, investigate income and assets, and evaluate potential improper transfers. You will also calculate and recommend penalty periods, investigate closed cases, determine financial resources for eligibility, and calculate potential overpayments. Your work will require sound judgment, attention to detail, investigative skill, and the ability to analyze financial and legal information to reach well-supported conclusions.

Join us and use your investigative expertise to help ensure public assistance is administered fairly, accurately, and responsibly while making a difference for Connecticut residents.

Position Highlights

• Locations: Central Office, Bridgeport, Danbury, Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, New Haven, Norwich, Stamford, Waterbury, and Windham
• 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!

Selection Plan

In order to be considered for this job opening you must be a current State of CT employee of the agency listed above for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.

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

• Knowledge of relevant agency policies and procedures;
• Ability to interpret and apply relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
• Public assistance programs;
• Investigatory 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 equaling 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.

Questions? We’re here to help

Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Rocky Young at [e-mail]

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

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.