DSHS OOS Investigator 2

Description

DSHS OOS Investigator 2

The Department of Social and Health Services, Office of Fraud and Accountability, has an opportunity for a Fraud Investigator to conduct and resolve complex administrative investigations of public benefit fraud in our Fraud Early Detection program. The position allows for a flexible work schedule and offers an individual the flexibility to manage the workload. The Office of Fraud and Accountability (OFA) is a small division but has a large impact within the state. OFA is a legislatively mandated limited law enforcement agency with the primary responsibility of conducting investigations of welfare programs.

You’d be working out of the Shelton Community Services Office, which includes out-of-office fieldwork requiring travel to other cities in Western Washington. The position also allows for a hybrid telework schedule with some days in the office and some days teleworking from home.

Your investigations will involve all public assistance programs administered by DSHS, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Medical Assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Electronic Benefits Transfer, and Childcare. Allegations investigated include household composition and unreported income among other situations that affect eligibility for public assistance programs. The right candidate should be someone who can work independently to meet performance guidelines for investigations, can effectively write clear and concise reports, and can talk to a diverse community to elicit accurate information for investigations that can lead to the establishment of overpayments or possible criminal convictions.

Some Of What You'll Do

• Conduct and resolve complex civil or criminal welfare fraud investigations/Fraud Early Detection investigations.
• Identify, gather, and preserve physical and documentary evidence.
• Use DSHS programs such as Barcode, ACES, SEMS and other agency programs to gather information and evidence.
• Conduct witness and client interviews in the community to verify statements.
• Conduct surveillance out in the community.
• Conduct field inspections of ATMs at prohibited locations, such as casinos, bars, marijuana stores and other prohibited locations.
• Write reports detailing evidence gathered and recommendations.
• Conduct data mining in multiple different databases including state eligibility systems, other state agency systems, and employment databases.
• Enter in information or evidence gathered into the department’s investigations case tracking system tool.
• Analyze evidence and criminal violations via database searches, fieldwork, and interviews to identify leads; research and interpret records, and evaluate the reliability, credibility, and admissibility of evidence.
• Attend administrative or court proceedings.
  
  

Who Should Apply

Professionals with at least three years of experience in one or more of the following roles:

• Investigator for a criminal justice or criminal investigative agency.
• Investigator for a private organization.
• DSHS public benefit specialist.
• Child support enforcement officer.
• Other directly related fields.
  
  

OR

• One year of experience as an Investigator 1
  
  

Note: Two years of related college-level coursework may be substituted for experience.

Desired

• Experience as a Public Benefits Specialist/Financial Services Specialist with knowledge of welfare eligibility programs.
• Experience conducting interviews, analyzing documents, verifying information, and making eligibility determinations for public assistance welfare benefits or locating non-custodial parents for child support enforcement.
• Knowledge of regulations and policies related to public assistance eligibility, including food assistance, medical assistance, general assistance, and childcare assistance.
• Knowledge of methods, principles, standards, and techniques of investigations; knowledge of interview techniques, rules of evidence, chain of custody of evidence, laws of search and seizure, Miranda Warning, and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.
• Ability to use verbal de-escalation techniques when necessary.
• Ability to safely make field contacts with subjects and witnesses, and conduct surveillance to further investigations.
• Ability to navigate complex DSHS software systems to obtain information and input investigations.
  
  

The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring an equity, anti-racism, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to create greater access and affirming representation of the communities we serve, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Questions?

Please reach out to DSHS Recruiter Vincent Hamilton at vincent.hamilton@dshs.wa.gov and reference job number #03864.

Supplemental Information

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protect­ed veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

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