INVESTIGATION SPECIALIST I (OPBI) - 60069417

State of Florida • Jacksonville, FL

8d • Onsite

About The Position

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 government 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 government assistance fraud or misuse regarding the SNAP (Food Assistance), D-SNAP (Disaster Food Assistance), TANF (Cash Assistance), and Medicaid programs by individuals or merchants. This is a professional position responsible for conducting pre-eligibility and eligibility investigations for government assistance applicants/recipients as part of the Public Benefits Investigations Program. The person occupying this position works to ensure the Public Benefits Integrity Program is administered in conformity with federal, state and regional policies. The incumbent is a member of the DCF D-SNAP 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. This is not a teleworking position.

Requirements

• Must be a current DCF ESS employee with a minimum of one year (12 months) as an Economic Self Sufficiency Specialist I or higher.
• A copy of your valid state-issued Driver's License will be requested.
• Knowledge of the DCF eligibility processes and procedures for TANF, SNAP, and Medicaid programs and expertise in FLORIDA and other DCF systems.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of government 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.

Responsibilities

• Reviews and analyzes government 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 government assistance.
• Interviews clients or collateral contacts in order to resolve inconsistent eligibility factors.
• Prepares case for referral to Administrative Disqualification Hearing (ADH) and/or referrals to appropriate sources.
• Enters data information into the BI System of Record.
• Attends and participates in supervisory conferences, meetings, trainings, work groups and quality initiatives, as appropriate.
• Completes other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 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).
• 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.
• BACKGROUND SCREENING REQUIREMENT: It is the policy of the Florida Department of Children and Families that any candidate being considered for employment must successfully complete a State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment, and also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S., and, if applicable, Chapter 408, F.S.
• BENEFIT RECOVERY SCREENING Candidates applying to positions in the Economic Self Sufficiency Program will have a Benefit Recovery check completed to validate current or former government assistance case information before completing the hiring process.
• 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).
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed