8145

PAGE 1 OF 3
JURISDICTIONAL CLASS C APPROVED:CSB
GRADE 22 DATE:09/27/10
SOCIAL WELFARE INVESTIGATOR/EXAMINER

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: This position involves responsibility for

conducting investigations relating to the discovery and recoupment of fraud in the
granting of assistance by the Department of Social Services. The incumbent performs
specialized investigatory work involving the application of appropriate methods and
procedures in the investigation of fraud or alleged fraud by Social Services recipients or
applicants. Work is performed under general direction of a higher level Investigator with
leeway allowed for the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the details of the
work. Although the primary function of the position involves conducting investigations,
incumbents, depending upon the caseload of the agency, may be assigned to financial
eligibility functions as the need arises. The incumbent does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

When assigned to investigations:

Interviews welfare recipients, applicants, their relatives, friends and others to obtain
information and gather evidence concerning possible violation of welfare laws and
regulations and to arrange for recoupment of funds;

Maintains records of all activities and contacts required for State and local reports;

Secures evidence in the form of statements, documents, records and exhibits;

Contacts and interviews parties having information regarding cases under investigation;

Makes home visits to determine household composition and resources;

Makes fields visits to local, State and Federal law enforcement authorities and other
community resources to obtain evidence or information or to verify information;

Refers violators of Social Services laws and regulations for prosecution or for recoupment
of overpayments;

Contacts banks, insurance companies and other financial organizations to determine

available assets and funds of applicants and recipients in cases where alleged
fraud is suspected;

Refers cases for civil collection of overpayments to Legal Unit;

Reviews eligibility documentation, budgets, and resource applications to detect and

prevent potential overpayment and/or fraud;

SOCIAL WELFARE INVESTIGATOR/EXAMINER CONTD: 8145

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES CONTD:

PAGE 2 OF 3
Calculates budgets to determine overpayment amounts;

May appear in court as a representative of the department.

When assigned to eligibility determination:

Provides basic information to clients and others on department programs, services and
regulations through personal interviews, phone contacts and writing;

Conducts information-gathering interviews with clients;

Assists clients in completing applications for assistance and related documents;

Reviews application-related documents for completeness, accuracy and consistency;

Verifies information on applications and related documents through personal interviews,

phone contacts and written correspondence;

Determines client eligibility for services by applying the standards for eligibility contained
in statutes, rules and regulations;

Calculates clients budgets;

Initiates forms reflecting clients status and eligibility, including changes in the status of
clients receiving services;

Assists clients in emergency situations including the issuing of emergency grants where
appropriate.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND PERSONAL

CHARACTERISTICS:

Good knowledge of Federal, State and local laws and regulations necessary to determine
the existence of claims, overgrants, and/or fraudulent practices;

Good knowledge of other laws and program regulations as they affect eligibility (e.g.
Workers Compensation, Social Security, and Unemployment Insurance);

Good knowledge of modern principles, practices and procedures of investigative work;

Good knowledge of community resources and departmental programs;

Working knowledge of the Welfare Management computer system (WMS), its applications
and capabilities;

Ability to obtain information through interviews and observation;

SOCIAL WELFARE INVESTIGATOR/EXAMINER CONTD: 8145

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND PERSONAL

CHARACTERISTICS:

PAGE 3 OF 3
Ability to deal firmly and courteously with clients and the general public;

Ability to work with people in a supportive, non-threatening manner;

Ability to redirect non-constructive client behavior to the purpose of the interview;

Ability to analyze facts obtained and uses facts in making judgments regarding eligibility;

Ability to read and understand complex written material, including quantitative information;

Ability to record verbal and quantitative information with accuracy;

Ability to perform computations with accuracy;

Ability to understand and follow oral and written directions;

Ability to operate a computer terminal;

Good observation skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Either:

A) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York registered college or

university with a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Investigations, Insurance, Banking
or related field; OR

B) Completion of sixty (60) semester credit hours of study at a regionally accredited or

New York State registered college or university AND one (1) year of experience
performing criminal investigations or in examining, investigating or evaluating
claims for assistance, veterans or unemployment benefits, insurance, financial
credit or similar program operating under established criteria for eligibility; OR

C) Graduation from high school, possession of a high school equivalency diploma or

possession of an Individual Education Plan Diploma and three (3) years of
experience as described in (B) above.

PAGE 4 OF 3