NJ Civil Service Navigator

WELFARE INVESTIGATOR

Code: 04311 Local Competitive

Welfare Investigator is a local-government title in New Jersey's competitive civil service, which means the way in is an open exam rather than a direct appointment.

The main requirement is 1 year of relevant experience.

How to apply

  • Exam

    This is an application to sit an exam and be placed on an eligible list for this title, not an application for a specific job. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. There may be no current vacancy behind it, and the list it produces may not be certified for months or years.

  • Exam

    Open to permanent employees in the competitive division who hold a qualifying lower title in the same unit. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. Like the open competitive exam, this places you on a list; it is not itself a job offer.

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator.

Definition

Under direction, makes preliminary fact-finding investigations of financial and other resources and the legal settlement of applicants and their families for the purpose of establishing eligibility for public assistance; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

  • Makes preliminary field investigations of applicants for public assistance to collect authenticated data concerning financial status, work histories, residence histories, present settlement status, names and addresses of legally responsible and other relatives, and other information required for the determination of eligibility.
  • Inspects birth certificates, baptismal and christening certificates, insurance policies, lodge and church organization benefit contracts, social security cards, rent receipts, tax and other bills and receipts, layoff notices, and other documents, and notes pertinent information.
  • Visits personnel and employment offices of business and industrial firms to obtain information concerning work histories and earnings of applicants and their legally responsible relatives.
  • Visits schools, hospitals, clinics, and other institutions to gather pertinent information concerning the educational, health, and other assets and liabilities of clients and members of their families.
  • Visits tax offices, court houses, surrogates' offices, and other government offices of legal record to obtain information concerning tax payments, arrearages, tax sales, mortgages, deeds, trusts, wills, and other legal instruments.
  • Prepares factual reports documented for the use of social work staff concerning the financial and settlement status of individual clients.
  • Makes other investigations and inquiries in accord with prescribed procedures.
  • Keeps records of visits made and other simple records.
  • Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Experience

One (1) year of experience in work involving the investigation of personal financial matters, credit, or other investigations.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Knowledge of sources and methods of obtaining information regarding finances, property ownership, and potential financial resources. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with clients, business persons, employers, representatives of banks, loan societies, insurance companies, hospitals, schools, and that portion of the public interested in or concerned with the work of the department. Ability to prepare clear, concise, and accurate reports of investigations. Ability to keep essential records and files. Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible. < This job specification is applicable to the following title code(s) which are different work week or work month and/or variants of the job class title: Job Spec Code State, Local or Common Class of Service Work Week State Class Code Local Class Code Salary Range

Note

The definition and examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. NOTE: Appointments may be made to positions requiring bilingual skills. - Bilingual in Spanish and English SPECIAL SKILL Applicants must be able to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in Spanish and English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. LC N/A04-Bilingual In Spanish And EnglishLC N/A04- This job specification is for government use only. Salary range is only applicable to state government. Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions. 6/18/1997