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Support Investigator Page 1 I 2 Jurisdiction: Cortland County Jurisdictional Class: Competitive Adopted: 10/20/05 Amended: 6/19/23 SUPPORT INVESTIGATOR DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: The work involves responsibility for conducting investigations to determine the location and financial status of individuals responsible for the support of their children. The incumbent verifies the absence of a legally responsible relative from a household, locates the individual and secures financial support from them. This position differs from that of Social Services Investigator in that there is no responsibility for fraud investigation. Work is performed under general supervision of a Senior Support Investigator with leeway allowed for the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the details of the work. Does related work as required. TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative only) Interviews recipients, applicants and their relatives, neighbors, and others in an effort to obtain information concerning the whereabouts of certain individuals; Interviews mothers in an effort to determine the feasibility of pursuing court action to establish paternity; Completes financial reviews of individuals by interviewing them gathering pertinent financial information and calculating the support payments due; Compiles information necessary to obtain a Family Court order directing individuals to make support payments when voluntary agreement for payment cannot be reached; Prepares and files paternity, support, affidavits, support enforcement petitions and other documents; Testifies at Family Court hearings presenting information collected throughout the course of the investigation; Reviews and explains court orders to individuals and monitors compliance by maintaining on going contact with all parties involved; Contacts banks, insurance companies, and employers to determine financial resources, including dollars, along with other financial items of individuals legally responsible for the support of others; Contacts other governmental institutions in an effort to locate individuals; Furnishes State Parent Locator Service with required information when local investigations fail to locate an absent parent; Initiates support enforcement activities by using the enforcement tools available in accordance with Federal and State laws and rules; Prepares reports and maintains records in compliance with laws, rules and Regulations and makes referrals to outside agencies; Enters and retrieves information from a computer database; Maintains a continuous case file of progress and results of investigations. FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Good knowledge of investigative techniques used in determining the location and financial status of individuals; Good knowledge of community resources and departmental programs; ---PAGE BREAK--- Support Investigator Page 2 I 2 Good knowledge of the laws, rules and regulations that govern support collection enforcement; Good knowledge of modern methods used in keeping and checking financial records and reports; Working knowledge of modern office terminology, procedures, equipment and business English; Ability to analyze and organize data and prepare records and reports; Ability to operate a personal computer and utilize common office software programs; Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; Ability to understand and interpret laws concerning support cases; Ability to deal effectively with the public; Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Either: Possession of an Associate’s degree or higher (or completion of 60 semester credit hours); OR Possession of high school diploma or an equivalency diploma and one year of full time experience, or its part-time equivalent working with the public; OR An equivalent combination of training and experience as described in and above. NOTE: Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education. If your degree was awarded by an educational institution outside the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. A list of acceptable companies who provide this service can be found on the Internet at http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfm. You must pay the required evaluation fee.