Special Investigator Trainee

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Scranton (Lackawanna County); Hybrid; USD 47,000 - 71,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania invites qualified applicants to join the State Workers' Insurance Fund (SWIF), Financial Management Division, as a Special Investigator Trainee. You will learn investigative skills to prevent fraud affecting workers, employers, and public resources while supporting a mission-driven team.

The role emphasizes case preparation, evidence gathering, and interagency cooperation, with opportunities for telework and full-time work in Scranton, PA.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 12 credits in criminal justice or related field.
• Equivalent combination of experience and training with 12 credits in criminal justice or related field.
• Applicants are considered to meet education within 3 months of graduating.

Responsibilities

• Assist lead investigator in identifying and examining suspected fraud or abuse cases.
• Gather documents, review records, and conduct preliminary interviews to verify facts.
• Analyze financial and claims information to identify inconsistencies or questionable data.
• Coordinate with SWIF staff, other agencies, and law enforcement to obtain information.
• Compile findings, summarize investigative outcomes, and organize documentation for referrals.
• Update case files and track investigative activities in required databases.

Skills

Interagency coordination

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Written communication

Verbal communication

Education

Bachelor's with 12 credits in criminal justice

Tools

WCAIS

EDI

Job description

Job Information

• Salary: $46,827.00 - $70,592.00 Annually
• Location: Lackawanna County, PA
• Job Type: Non-Civil Service Permanent Full-time
• Job Number: N-2026-60344
• Department: Department of Labor & Industry
• Division: LI SWIF Fin Mgmt Div
• Opening Date: 10/13/2026
• Closing Date: 10/22/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
• Job Code: 70800
• Position Number: 00019930
• Union: FOP - Lodge #92
• Bargaining Unit: G4
• Pay Group: ST05
• Bureau / Division Code: 00121650
• Bureau / Division: State Workers' Insurance Fund, Financial Management Division
• Worksite Address: Scranton State Office Building
• Worksite Address: 100 Lackawanna Avenue
• City: Scranton, Pennsylvania
• Zip Code: 18503
• Contact Name: Felicia Newbury
• Contact Email: [e-mail]

Position Overview

The Special Investigator Trainee position with the State Workers' Insurance Fund (SWIF), Financial Management Division offers a chance to support important fraud prevention work across the Commonwealth. In this role, you will learn investigative skills that help protect workers, employers, and public resources. Join our mission-driven team that works every day to safeguard important programs.

Duties

• Investigation Support: Assist the lead investigator in identifying and examining suspected fraud or abuse cases
• Evidence Collection: Gather documents, review records, and conduct preliminary interviews to verify facts
• Record Review: Analyze financial and claims information to identify inconsistencies or questionable data
• Interagency Contact: Coordinate with SWIF staff, other agencies, and law enforcement to obtain information
• Case Preparation: Compile findings, summarize investigative outcomes, and organize documentation for referrals
• Data Maintenance: Update case files and track investigative activities in required databases

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Scranton. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary:In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

Required Experience, Training & Eligibility

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree that includes 12 credits in criminal justice or a closely related field; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes 12 credits in criminal justice or a closely related field.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Additional Requirements

• You must demonstrate the ability to adhere to the values and ethics of the Department of Labor and Industry.
• You must demonstrate the ability to work with professionalism, discretion, and good work ethic.
• You must have solid written and verbal communication skills.
• You must show initiative and problem-solving skills.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.
• You must have experience with the Workers' Compensation Automation and Integration System (WCAIS).
• You must have experience with Electronic Data Interchange (EDI).
• You must have experience preparing civil complaints, appeals, or other legal filings.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.
• You must have experience reviewing, organizing, and maintaining complex legal, financial, or investigative case files.
• You must have experience assisting with audit preparation, compliance reviews, or maintaining investigative documentation.

Preferred Qualifications (not required)

• Experience preparing, reviewing, and maintaining legal pleadings, correspondence, and supporting documentation
• Experience preparing and filing legal documents, including motions, orders, stipulations, and other court-related filings
• Experience reviewing, organizing, and maintaining complex legal, financial, or investigative case files
• Experience assisting with audit preparation, compliance reviews, or maintaining investigative documentation

Veterans

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. *7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS)

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.