INVESTIGATION SPECIALIST I - 60069512

Requisition No: 815505 

Agency: Children and Families

Working Title: INVESTIGATION SPECIALIST I - 60069512

Position Number: 60069512 

Salary:  37,178.18 minimum, In accordance with the DCF salary policy 

Posting Closing Date: 02/06/2024 

This is an Internal Agency opportunity.

Only current department employees are eligible to apply.

THIS IS A STATEWIDE VACANCY - POSITION LOCATION WILL BE DETERMINED BY SELECTED CANDIDATE LOCATION

The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) is the state of Florida's social services agency. The agency oversees services for child safety, fostering, adoption, domestic violence, adult protective services, refugees, homelessness, mental health, substance abuse, childcare providers, human trafficking, and public assistance. The agency's mission is to work in partnership with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and resiliency.

Within DCF, the Economic Self-Sufficiency (ESS) Program helps to promote strong and economically self-sufficient communities by determining eligibility for food, cash and medical assistance for individuals and families on the road to economic recovery.

Under the ESS Program, the Office of Public Benefits Integrity (OPBI) is responsible for investigating public assistance fraud or misuse regarding the SNAP (Food Assistance), TANF (Cash Assistance), and Medicaid programs by individuals or merchants.

TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION RESPONSES TO THE QUALIFYING QUESTIONS ARE REQUIRED AND MUST BE VERIFIABLE BASED ON YOUR SUBMITTED APPLICATION.

*The requested information must be disclosed on the State of Florida Candidate Profile. It is not acceptable to write "see resume" on the Candidate Profile (application). *

Applicants must meet the minimum requirements to be hired for this position.

MULTIPLE POSITIONS MAY BE FILLED FROM THIS ADVERTISEMENT

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be a current DCF ESS Program employee with a minimum of one year (12 months) as an Economic Self-Sufficiency Specialist I, or higher-level class title.
• Travel may be required.
• A copy of your valid state-issued Driver's License may be requested.

INVESTIGATION SPECIALIST I  - ESS Office of Public Benefits Integrity

This position reports directly to the Benefits Investigations (BI) supervisor. 

The position is classified as Career Service, working 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday.

Telework status is available. 

Travel and use of your personal vehicle may be required. 

The incumbent will ensure the job duties and responsibilities are completed in a timely manner and with a high accuracy rate.  It is important for the applicant to display a professional attitude and strong work ethic. Duties include assisting in fraud investigations and providing support in the recovery of funds lost due to waste, fraud, or abuse. This position is qualified to be exempt from public record. The incumbent is a member of the DCF DSNAP Disaster Response team and, in that capacity, may be required on short notice to perform duties and travel in support of disaster relief. During such events, incumbent may be required to work more than 8 hours per day.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
This is a professional position responsible for conducting pre-eligibility and eligibility investigations for Public Assistance applicants/recipients as part of the Public Benefits Investigations Program. The incumbent must have a detailed knowledge of the eligibility process and procedures for the Cash, Food Assistance, and Medicaid programs, and have expertise in the use of the Florida computer system and other on-line systems. The person occupying this position works to ensure the Public Benefits Integrity Program is administered in conformity with federal, state and regional policies. Assigned duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Reviews and analyzes public assistance cases (Cash, Food Assistance and Medicaid Assistance) suspected of containing or involving fraudulent information or activity which is identified using error prone profile. Reports findings and recommendations to eligibility staff within 10 working days after the case is referred to the Benefits Investigations Unit so staff may correctly determine eligibility of the individuals requesting public assistance.
• Interviews clients or collateral contacts in order to resolve inconsistent eligibility factors. Completes field investigations when appropriate.
• Prepares case for referral to Administrative Disqualification Hearing (ADH) and/or referrals to appropriate sources.
• Enters data information into the BI System of Record, for example the ACCESS Integrity Online System. 
• Attends and participates in supervisory conferences, meetings, trainings, work groups and quality initiatives, as appropriate.
• Completes other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of public assistance program objectives and policies; problem-solving techniques; training principles and practices; goal setting techniques; arithmetic.
• Skill in operating a personal computer.
• Ability to conduct fact-finding interviews; accurately prepare and maintain records and reports; work with a diverse range of people; adapt to change; deal calmly and effectively in high stress situations; compose documents or correspondence involving technical information; complex arithmetic operations.
• Interpret and apply regulatory materials; prioritize and meet deadlines; establish and maintain effective working relationships; communicate effectively orally; apply ethical business practices.

Additional Information/Requirements

• Incumbents may be expected to work during emergency situations or natural disasters.
• Incumbents may be eligible for telework if they have completed training and meet or exceed all performance expectations.

DCF EMPLOYMENT DISCLOSURES

The Department of Children and Families is a tobacco-free environment.

US CITIZEN REQUIREMENT Only US citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers will be hired.
SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM REGISTRATION All selected male candidates born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion into an authorized position unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS).  Verification of Selective Service registration will be conducted prior to hire.  For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov.
RETIREE NOTICE If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be suspended or voided, and you required to repay all benefits received depending upon the date of your retirement.
BACKGROUND SCREENING It is the policy of the Florida Department of Children and Families that any applicant being considered for employment must successfully complete a State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment before beginning employment, and, if applicable, also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S., and Chapter 408, F.S.  No applicant may begin employment until the background screening results are received, reviewed for any disqualifying offenses, and approved by the Agency.  Background screening shall include, but not be limited to, fingerprinting for State and Federal criminal records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and may include local criminal history checks through local law enforcement agencies.
BENEFIT RECOVERY SCREENING Candidates applying to positions in the Economic Self-Sufficiency Program may have a Benefit Recovery check completed to validate current or former public assistance case information before completing the hiring process.

If you experience problems applying online, please call the People First Service Center at (877) 562-7287.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans' Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans' Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans' Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.