INVESTIGATOR COUNTY WELFARE AGENCY

Definition

Under direction, without the assumption of legal authority, conducts elaborate, special, confidential, and routine investigations of assigned public assistance cases in which there is an alleged or suspected desertion, fraudulent receipt of assistance, or other violation of federal, state, and county public assistance rules, regulations, or laws; does related work as required.

Examples of work

• Conducts investigations for the purpose of locating persons alleged to have deserted dependents receiving public assistance.
• Conducts elaborate, special, and confidential investigations of alleged or suspected violators of federal, state, or local public assistance rules, regulations, and laws.
• Visits home of recipients of public assistance for purpose of eliciting necessary facts and data.
• Prepares comprehensive reports and statements for legal counsel.
• Maintains contact with all public assistance agencies in New Jersey and in other states for the purpose of locating persons alleged or suspected to have deserted dependents receiving public assistance, or who have violated federal, state, or county rules, regulations, or laws.
• Conducts confidential investigations of the finances, occupations, and activities of persons alleged or suspected of the fraudulent receipt of public assistance.
• Cooperates under assignment, or as directed, with official law enforcement agencies in obtaining and furnishing information necessary for the apprehension and prosecution of persons alleged to have deserted dependents receiving public assistance, or who have fraudulently received public assistance.
• Cooperates as directed by legal counsel with case work staff in attempting to effect reconciliation or voluntary assumption of financial support.
• Prepares comprehensive reports and statements required by legal counsel in the prosecution of persons alleged to have committed public assistance fraud.
• Travels extensively during the daytime working hours and at night for the purpose of conducting assigned investigations.
• Maintains necessary records and files.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Sixty (60) semester hour credits from an accredited college or university.

Experience

Two (2) years of work experience that involved either (1) investigations in connection with the prosecution or defense of civil or criminal cases; or (2) investigations concerning compliance with or violations of statutory laws, rules, and regulations; or (3) criminal investigations requiring the use of a variety of investigatory methods and techniques; or (4) securing and verifying information and making determinations or recommendations pertaining to such matters as the eligibility or qualifications of applicants for loans, insurance, credit, employment, entitlement to cash awards or financial benefits, and the adjustment and settlement of insurance claims; or (5) other types of investigations which involved the collection of facts, and obtaining information by observing conditions, examining records, interviewing individuals; and preparing investigative reports of findings.

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 the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Knowledge of the law relating to the protection of the civil and property rights of individuals under investigation for alleged offenses against federal, state, or local public assistance rules, regulations, or laws. Ability to assimilate and effectively use established procedures and methods in interviewing, investigating, and examining persons of varied socioeconomic backgrounds, using tact and courtesy, and the analysis and exposition of significant facts and conditions, and to prepare comprehensive reports and statements. Ability to learn 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 essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. 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 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. 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. - Bilingual in Hindi and English SPECIAL SKILL Applicants must be able to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in Hindi and English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. Applicants who do not possess the required education may substitute additional experience as indicated on a year-for year basis with thirty (30) semester hour credits being equal to one (1) year of experience. LC N/A18-Bilingual In Spanish And EnglishLC N/A18- This job specification is for government use only. Salary range is only applicable to state government. Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions. 7/23/2018