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Form of workWorking under close supervision, Welfare Investigator I is the entry/trainee level in the Welfare Investigator series. Employees receive in-service training, and are given detailed instructions in the performance of routine duties related to Welfare Fraud investigations. As requisite skills and knowledge are developed, greater independence and the full scope of responsibility are exercised. Unless a position is permanently allocated to level I due to the nature of the work, employees are expected to promote to Welfare Investigator II after one years of satisfactory performance at the trainee level.
Working under general supervision, Welfare Investigator II is the journey level in the Welfare Investigator series. Employees at this level are expected to be fully qualified and able to independently perform a wide range of fraud investigations.
Some Welfare Investigator II positions may have lead worker responsibilities in agencies with a small investigative function. The Welfare Investigator II differs from the Senior Welfare Investigator in that the latter is the advanced journey level with primary responsibility for functional oversight/evaluation of unit employees, in addition to performing the full range of fraud investigation duties.
Welfare Investigator differs from Eligibility Specialist in that the latter is primarily responsible for determining and verifying initial or continuing eligibility for aid. Eligibility Specialists refer cases to Welfare Investigators upon suspected violation of laws, rules, or regulations pertaining to public assistance.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED AND RECEIVED
Incumbents in the Welfare Investigator I/II classification receive supervision from Welfare Investigator Supervisors, or other higher-level supervisor or manager.
Note: For Welfare Investigator I, duties are performed at the trainee level.
- Conducts in-house and field investigations of suspected fraudulent receipt of aid.
- Locates and interviews suspected persons, absent parents, and witnesses using a variety of surveillance and tracing methods.
- Analyzes and evaluates witnesses' testimony.
- Enters and retrieves numerical and narrative data from an automated computer system.
- Executes search warrants and makes arrests.
- Examines a variety of records to secure information concerning suspected violations.
- Gathers, assembles, preserves, and reports facts, statements, or affidavits and other evidence for use in legal action.
- Assists in fraud prosecutions in accordance with specific instructions and clearly defined guidelines.
- Makes arrangements for the repayment of funds fraudulently obtained and follows-up to enforce actions for collection of such funds.
- Reads and interprets computer printouts and information on computer screens.
- Prepares correspondence and reports.
- Interprets and explains the provisions of laws, rules or regulations related to the purpose of the investigation.
- May act in a liaison capacity between the social services department and the District Attorney's office and County Counsel's office.
- Performs related duties as assigned.
Note: The level and scope of the knowledge and skills listed below are related to job duties as distinguished between the two levels in the Definition section.
Knowledge of:
- Interviewing techniques.
- Report writing and record keeping.
- Computer terminology and computer keyboard arrangement.
- Criminal investigation techniques and procedures.
- Appropriate methods of surveillance, skip tracing methods, and other sources of information used in locating persons or obtaining facts.
- Principles of identification, arrest procedures, search warrant acquisition and execution, preservation, and presentation of evidence.
Ability to:
- Communicate information, both orally and in writing, in a manner that is understandable to others.
- Interview, analyze, and evaluate the statements of witnesses or suspected violators.
- Learn, interpret, and apply provisions of the welfare laws, search and seizure laws, and the legal rights of citizens.
- Navigate through screens to retrieve information in an automated computer system.
- Write clear and accurate correspondence and reports.
- Perform basic arithmetical calculations.
- Deal effectively with citizens and public officials under conditions requiring tact and good judgment.
- Gather and document information and evidence by observation, record examination, and interview.
- Negotiate for, and secure payment of, funds fraudulently obtained or funds for support of recipients of aid.
- Coordinate and communicate job activities and investigations with staff responsible for other functions within the Department.
Note: Applicant who is close to completing this education requirement may be admitted to the exam process, but must meet these requirements at time of appointment.
Substitution: An additional six months of investigative experience beyond the one year required above; which included interviewing people, writing detailed case reports, and preparing or presenting evidence or information in court, may substitute for the required education.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Successful completion of a Specialized Investigative Basic Course (SIBC) approved by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training within twelve months of appointment to the class
Possession of a valid basic peace officer certificate as awarded by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training
Successful completion of the regular basic peace officer course as awarded by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training within three years prior to appointment.
{Welfare Fraud Investigators appointed to their positions prior to 1/1/2001 and whose employment with the appointing county has been continuous are exempt from the above requirement for the purposes of promotional positions. If the individual leaves the appointing county to work in the same capacity in a different county, he/she must meet the requirements listed above as defined in California Penal Code Section 830.35}
Welfare Investigators cannot exercise the powers of a peace officer until successful completion of the above requirements.
Prior to appointment to peace officer status, a background check, psychological and physical examination is required.
Employees in this classification may be required to work long, irregular hours, and drive considerable distances on a regular basis.
EXAMINATION INFORMATION
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE EXAMINATION - WEIGHTED 100%
The Education & Experience examination is based solely upon information provided from the application and supplemental information (e.g., resumes, transcripts). Information provided from the application and supplemental information will be assessed and compared to established standards developed in relation to the elements of the job and linked to the knowledge and abilities required. Special care should be taken to submit a complete description of your education and experience relevant to the typical tasks, scope, and minimum qualifications stated on this bulletin. Supplemental information will be accepted, but competitors should read this bulletin carefully to determine what kind of information will be useful to those individuals completing the evaluation. In order to obtain a position on the eligible list, candidates must receive a minimum rating of 70% on the examination.
Examination administration and processing time is approximately two weeks after the closing date of the job bulletin.
ELIGIBLE LIST INFORMATION
A departmental open eligible list will be established for the county of Plumas. The list will be utilized for 12 months after it is established unless the needs of the service and conditions of the list warrant a change in this period.
RETEST PERIOD
Once you have taken the examination, you may not retest for SIX (6) MONTHS from the established eligibility date.
SPECIAL TESTING ARRANGEMENTS
Special testing arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants for disability, military, or religious reasons. If you require such arrangements, please contact CalHR at mssprogram@calhr.ca.gov or 916-323-2360 upon notification that your application has been approved. Documentation from medical, military, school or church officials outlining the accommodation request must be received by our office a minimum of five business days prior to a scheduled examination.
APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications, you must attach your transcripts to your application. Applicants with foreign transcripts must provide a transcript evaluation that indicates the number of units to which the foreign course work is equivalent. Transcripts and evaluations may be unofficial; official transcripts may be required upon appointment. Please redact birthdates and social security numbers.
GENERAL INFORMATION
MSS reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the recruitment if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all competitors will be notified.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- A valid driver license may be required at the time of appointment. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to a disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
- Positions may require pre-employment screening, including background checks, and fingerprinting.
- Government agencies accessing US government information, which include federal tax information must ensure that background investigation requirements for all agency employees and contractors that have access to federal tax information are consistent to the IRS background investigation requirements for access to federal tax information.
- Background checks are required and must be repeated every 5 years. Background requirements consist of three components which include, fingerprinting, citizenship verification and local law enforcement checks.
- All Plumas County employees are considered Disaster Service Workers and must take the associated FEMA training.
- Recruitments that note continuous under the closing date are subject to close at any time. Applications will not be accepted after a continuous recruitment is closed.
- The written exam and oral exam dates will be determined once the recruitment closes.
