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Social Services Investigator 1 Jurisdiction: Schuyler County Jurisdictional Class: Competitive Adopted: June 11, 2002; Updated: January 9, 2014; Updated: February 15, 2024 SOCIAL SERVICES INVESTIGATOR DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: The position involves research and field investigation for the Schuyler County Department of Social Services of individuals and vendors in cases where there is allegation or suspicion of improper amounts of payments and attempted or actual welfare fraud. The incumbent is responsible for gathering evidence and documentation, including individual’s statements, to develop legally acceptable cases. The work includes attempts to persuade defaulters to make payments and negotiating or renegotiating agreements according to changing personal and financial situations. The work is performed under the direct supervision of the Unit Supervisor with broad discretion allowed for independent judgment in carrying out the details of the work. Does related work as required. TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES: (Illustrative Only) Investigates allegations of recipient or vendor fraud in welfare cases; Studies social services laws, Criminal Welfare Fraud Statutes, rules and regulations and obtains information to determine type of fraud involved and obtains information to determine proper method of social intervention involved; Interviews individuals and uses proper procedures to gather information concerning violation; Makes field visits to interview those who may be relevant to the case to secure information for the possible prosecution of fraud charges; Prepares reports for each case describing all steps taken, visits made, witnesses questioned and facts established for submission to appropriate authorities; Attempts to locate missing respondents; Verifies information of applications for various programs by contacting banks, schools, landlords, employers, etc; Prepares and interviews for DSS disqualification consent agreements; Testify at criminal and civil proceedings; Prepares and completes several state and federal reports concerning fraud matters; Makes fraud visits to homeless facilities and accompanies Social Service staff for motel inspections; Works closely with law enforcement investigator to review evidence packet and obtain statements and/or arrest; Answers correspondence and inquiries concerning fraud matters from other government agencies, beneficiaries, and respondents; Other duties as related to the position. FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Good knowledge of office terminology and modern methods used in keeping and checking financial records and reports; Good knowledge of investigative techniques used in determining financial practices and status of vendors and individuals and business entities in location missing persons; Good knowledge of office terminology and modern methods used in keeping and checking financial record and reports; ---PAGE BREAK--- Social Services Investigator 2 Good ability to learn various computer-programs necessary for investigations; Good powers of observation; Working knowledge of Federal and State Social Services and related laws and regulations in regards to fraud; Ability to be courteous yet firm with the public; Ability to develop materials for legal actions according to prescribed regulations; Ability to prepare written reports; Ability to analyze facts and use them in making judgments in fraud; Ability to follow and communicate written and oral directions. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: A. Possession of a Bachelors Degree (or higher) in one of the Social Science fields Sociology, Criminal Justice, Social Work, etc.) and one year experience in field investigation*; OR B. Possession of an Associates Degree in one of the Social Science fields Sociology, Criminal Justice, Social Work, etc.) and three years experience in field investigation*; OR C. An equivalent combination of training and experience as stated in A and B. * Field investigation is interpreted to include experience with a credit bureau, retail credit, bank, insurance company, internal revenue, social security or the conducting of investigations beyond the primary source (client). 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. SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Must possess valid NYS driver’s license and reliable transportation. Certain assignments may also require some work to be done during non-traditional hours (evenings and weekends), including attendance at training conferences, which may require overnight stays. PROMOTIONAL QUALIFICATIONS: Twenty-four (24) months of permanent full-time competitive status as a Sr. Social Welfare Examiner or thirty-six (36) months of permanent full-time competitive status as a Social Welfare Examiner in the Schuyler County Social Services Department immediately preceding the date of the written test (or date of appointment if a provisional appointment.)