Fraud Investigator - Multiple Vacancies

State of Maine • Lewiston, ME

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Maine Department of Labor’s Bureau of Unemployment Compensation is seeking two Wage Fraud Investigators to safeguard Maine’s Unemployment Trust Fund. In this pivotal role, you will investigate potential benefit overpayments—determining whether discrepancies stem from simple errors or intentional fraud—and oversee necessary corrective actions. Additionally, you will analyze identity documents to detect and prevent identity theft, ensuring benefits reach legitimate claimants. To succeed in this role, you will develop a deep operational knowledge of the full Unemployment Claims lifecycle, including claims entry and eligibility adjudications.

Requirements

• Knowledge of In‑depth interviewing techniques
• Clear and concise report writing
• Strong oral and written presentation of evidence and facts
• Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and professional judgment.
• Ability to communicate findings clearly and confidently in both written and verbal formats.
• Ability to analyze complex or incomplete information and make a well‑reasoned, defensible decision based on available evidence.
• Communicate effectively.
• Write clearly and effectively.
• Determine benefit eligibility.
• Interpret and apply laws, rules, and regulations in specific circumstances.
• Compile and analyze facts, reach logical conclusions, and make sound recommendations.
• Deal effectively with irate or confused clients.
• Demonstrate competent time management.
• Write complete and understandable decisions and reports.
• Plan, direct, and coordinate the work of subordinate staff.
• A Bachelors Degree in Business Administration, Human Resources, Economics, Finance, or related field and two (2) years of technical, administrative, or paraprofessional support level experience in public contact work which demonstrates interviewing, data gathering, and analytical skills.
• Comparable work experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in unemployment claims, unemployment adjudication, or investigations.
• Experience with decision making is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Interview claimants, employers, and other witnesses largely by phone to determine claimant eligibility for compensation and which employer account, if any, to charge.
• Writes clear and concise decisions to document UC benefit determinations and which employer account, if any, to charge.
• Evaluate and assess all investigative information to make referrals and determine and initiate the best course of action that protects the State’s application of laws, rules, and use of unemployment funds.
• Explains laws, regulations, commission rules, precedents, and Department policies regarding eligibility, disqualifications, and appeals to provide information to claimants, employers, and the public.
• Investigates, researches, and documents allegations of misrepresentation and fraudulent claims to determine validity and prepare reports of investigation.
• Testifies at hearings and in court to present and justify written decisions rendered.
• Plans, assigns, and oversees the work of subordinate staff, as well as provides training to ensure applicable laws, rules, regulations, and policies are applied consistently and equitably.

Benefits

• 13 paid holidays
• 12 days of sick leave
• 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96 - $12,514.32 annual value), depending on salary.
• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($387.92 annual value).
• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 14.06% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS) for MSEA, or 18.86% for Confidential employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level