Compliance Investigator

People with disabilities, people of color, people in all protected classes, and formerly incarcerated people are encouraged to apply. Make a difference! We fight for the rights of people who have disabilities.... JOIN US! 

Equitable and Inclusive Hiring at Disability Rights California (DRC)

At Disability Rights California (DRC), we are committed to creating an equitable, accessible, and inclusive experience for all applicants. Below, we’ve outlined important details to ensure you feel fully supported throughout the hiring process.

Examples of reasonable accommodations include:

• American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation
• Alternative formats for interview materials (e.g., large print, Braille, digital files)
• Interview questions are provided prior to the interview
• Extended interview time
• A quiet or distraction-free interview setting
• Adjustments to the interview format for accessibility (e.g., pinning participants,)
• Assistance with reading or note-taking during interviews

If you require an accommodation due to a disability to complete this application OR you are experiencing issues submitting your application and accompanying materials, please e-mail: talent@disabilityrightsca.org . Please note: resume and cover letter are required. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

LOCATION:

Remote- Must live in California

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: 

Non-exempt, Full-time (37.5 Hours), Regular 

SALARY RANGE: (Band 5, Step A-J)

$25.64 - $36.59 per hour/ $50,000-$71,358 Annually 

As part of our commitment to internal equity, salary offers are determined through a structured analysis that considers each candidate’s relevant education and years of substantially similar experience for the position. We review the candidate’s resume to assess relevant experience in relation to current employees in comparable roles. This process ensures our compensation decisions are fair, consistent, and aligned with organizational equity standards.

EXCELLENT BENEFITS

• 8% Match – 401K
• Health benefits (HMO options) 
• Additional Benefits: dental, vision, basic life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, flexible spending accounts (medical, dependent care and commuter). Health Reimbursement Accounts for some HMO Plans. Pet Insurance, Employee Assistance Program, Teladoc 
• We offer ample vacation, Sick / Self Care time and holidays (including the last week in December) 
• We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) - eligible employer.  

INTERNAL CANDIDATE ELIGIBILITY

• Regular employees 
• Meet the minimum requirements of the position for which they are applying  
• Employed for more than 6 months
• In good standing 

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

Open until filled. Applications should be received by July 3, 2026, to be considered for the first round of interviews. Resume and cover letter are reviewed and required. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

WHO WE ARE

Disability Rights California (DRC) defends, advances, and strengthens the rights and opportunities of people with disabilities.

DRC works for a world where all disabled people have power and are treated with dignity and respect. In this world, people with disabilities are supported, valued, included in their communities, afforded the same opportunities as people without disabilities, and make their own decisions.

DRC values all forms of human diversity. We are committed to a culture of belonging where all people are welcome. In order to be effective advocates for all people with disabilities, we must address discrimination in all its forms, including the unique challenges faced by people who experience the intersection of multiple systems of discrimination.

Office of Payee Review and Beneficiary Assistance 

OPRABA is responsible for the onsite reviews of the payee’s activities and records in order to uncover instances of exploitation or financial abuse of beneficiaries under payeeship. Representative payees may be selected for a periodic review or in response to allegations or concerns about the performance or suitability of the payee.

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

The Office of Payee Review and Beneficiary Assistance (OPRABA) is looking for self-motivated investigator to be part of an exciting fast-paced team.  Working closely with attorneys, you will be responsible for the reviews and investigations of Social Security Administration (SSA) representative payees to ensure compliance as well as uncover and correct any misuse, mismanagement, or fraud of beneficiary income. 

Our investigator will telecommute between home and a variety of field settings including beneficiary homes, community locations, or payee offices. They will investigate money management practices and report findings that will result in lasting programmatic improvements to the way SSA beneficiary income is managed by representative payees.

In addition to conducting compliance reviews/investigations of representative payees, OPRABA reviewers enjoy many rewarding opportunities such as helping to shape the work within a tight-knit team, engagement with consumer populations from diverse cultural backgrounds, flexible working hours, paid travel, and trainings to vulnerable served communities. 

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential functions are the job responsibilities an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation.  Compliance Investigator essential functions include:

Investigations: 90% 

- Conduct site reviews and investigations as requested by the Social Security Administration (SSA)

- Conduct additional reviews/investigations that DRC has determined are warranted

- Develop corrective action plans to assist representative payees to conform to requirements specified by the SSA

- Submit a report to the SSA on each completed review/investigation 

- Conduct an initial onsite assessment of any organization that begins collecting a fee for its services as a representative payee to ensure that it is properly established according to SSA requirements 

- Provide short-term, technical assistance and referrals to clients, callers and others, including to Social Security disability beneficiaries who have representative payees.

Community-Based Advocacy – 10%

- Engage in community-based advocacy and community leadership, representing DRC.

- Prepare written materials and conduct outreach to, and education and training of, consumers, community groups, advocates and others, particularly those from traditionally underserved communities on issues pertaining to their rights as SSA beneficiaries and the duties of their rep payee.

Perform other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

N/A

SUCCESS IN THIS ROLE

A successful candidate will:

• Conduct thorough, timely, and well-documented  investigations, producing clear, accurate reports that meet SSA standards  and contribute to meaningful oversight and corrective action.
• Demonstrate sound judgment and attention to detail when      reviewing financial records, interviewing clients and stakeholders, and      identifying potential misuse or noncompliance.
• Build trust and communicate effectively with diverse      populations, including individuals with disabilities, community partners,    and payee organizations.
• Work independently in a remote and field-based      environment while managing a high volume of cases, travel requirements,      and shifting priorities.
• Collaborate effectively with attorneys and team      members, contributing to a supportive, mission-driven, and      solutions-oriented team culture.
• Provide practical, respectful guidance to      representative payees to help them achieve compliance and improve their      financial management practices.
• Uphold the organization’s commitment to equity,      inclusion, and dignity in all interactions, especially when working with      vulnerable and underserved communities.
• Contribute to broader programmatic improvements by      identifying patterns, raising systemic issues, and helping refine      investigative practices and outreach efforts.

Ultimately, success in this role means consistently delivering high-quality investigative work that protects beneficiaries, strengthens accountability, and advances the organization’s mission.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

(Applicants MUST meet EACH of the minimum qualifications to be considered for an interview.)

- High school diploma or general education degree (GED); plus 3 years related experience and/or training; Associate’s Degree (AA) in related subject may substitute for 2 years’ experience.

- Experience conducting interviews of individuals with disabilities, including cognitive or mental health disabilities, and gathering relevant information from multiple sources, including documents and witnesses.

- Experience that demonstrates attention to detail and understanding of confidentiality of client records.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

(Applicants DO NOT have to meet any of the Desirable Qualifications to be considered for an interview.)

Bachelor’s Degree in any related area

- Knowledge of federal disability benefits programs (i.e. Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income), housing, employment or wage laws,

- Experience reviewing financial, disability related benefits, or medical records or other clinical documents.

- Paid work experience conducting investigations, auditing or financial accounting, or serving as an advocate in the social service, human service, community-based, public interest or health care environments.

- Experience with electronic case management systems 

- Experience working with and/or sensitivity to persons with disabilities and/or experience working with and/or sensitivity to persons from multi-ethnic communities.

- Life experience as a person with a disability OR direct experience as a caregiver of a family member with a disability.

BILINGUAL ABILITY:

Preference will be given to bilingual candidates (any language including ASL) who also meet all other minimum requirements. 

LICENSES / CERTIFICATES

No licenses or certificates are required.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Significant travel will be required. Ability to travel routinely for activities such as rep payee reviews, inspect facilities, team meetings, workshops, education, training, or outreach activities up to 60% of the time. Valid CA driver’s license and ability and willingness to drive is required (unless a disability related accommodation is necessary and can reasonably be granted). 

WORKING CONDITIONS

The following describes general working conditions and requirements of the job, which can be performed with or without disability related reasonable accommodations. Duties are performed between an office environment and the field in a wide range of settings, including health care facilities; locked mental health settings; in client, group, or family homes; community agencies; or in community-based outpatient settings. Duties frequently require sitting and communicating. Weights to be lifted and/or moved up to 20 pounds may be encountered.