Investigator 2 - Working Families Tax Credit Division

State of Washington•Tumwater, WA

43d

About The Position

The Washington State Department of Revenue (DOR) is seeking to hire an Investigator 2 for its Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) Claims Research Team. This position is part of a team that supports Washington State's low-to-moderate-income working families and individuals. The mission of the Claims Research Team is to protect the integrity of the Working Families Tax Credit Program by preventing and detecting financial losses due to fraud or malfeasance. The Unit uses crossmatch technology and processes, as well as skip-tracing, tips and leads from the public, referrals from local, state, and federal agencies, to conduct the most complex and difficult investigations of sensitive and controversial cases. The Unit is also responsible for identifying and researching patterns of practice, ongoing patterns of criminal activity, and vendor fraud. Revenue is a dynamic learning organization where you will experience a remarkable work-life balance, with amazing leadership and talented co-workers ready and focused to achieve the agency's goals. We value diverse perspectives and life experiences. We employ and serve people of all backgrounds including people of color, immigrants, refugees, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, and veterans. This unique culture of respect promotes a professional family of cohesive groups maximizing potential through opportunity. We offer a generous benefits package that includes defined benefit retirement plans; health, dental and vision coverage, deferred compensation plans, and as a public service employee, you may also be eligible for student loan forgiveness.

Requirements

Knowledge of methods, principles, standards, and techniques of criminal and civil investigations.
Ability to function as an impartial investigator in fraud cases and eligibility claims.
Ability to investigate allegations of public benefit fraud, including identity theft, forgery, and other violations of law.
Ability to research, analyze, interpret, and organize information from multiple sources.
Ability to exercise mature judgment in a wide variety of public contacts.
Ability to identify, gather, preserve, and present relevant and pertinent physical and documentary evidence.
Ability to conduct interviews with applicants, victims, and witnesses using professional techniques.
Ability to write and speak clearly, concisely, accurately, and informatively.
Ability to explain complex eligibility and fraud issues to diverse audiences with clarity and empathy.
Ability to interpret and apply Washington State statutes and federal and state regulations.
Comply with the FTI background check requirements, consisting of:
FBI National background check (fingerprints required)
Local law enforcement check (places where you have lived, worked, or attended school for the last 5 years)
Verification of your ability to work in this country
Be willing to follow the safeguarding requirements of IRS Publication 1075 and DOR Administrative Police 6.5.1.

Nice To Haves

Two years of experience as an Investigator 1 or an equivalent classification.
Communicate fluently and professionally in both English and Spanish, including the ability to respond to correspondence, conduct interviews, provide translation support, and ensure language accessibility in investigations in both languages.
Associate degree or higher in business or public administration, accounting, finance, political science, or one of the criminal justice disciplines.
Certified Fraud Examiner or other fraud certification.
IRS or other tax preparation certification.

Responsibilities

Conduct preliminary assessment of applications, attachments, and fraud indicators.
Determine the requirements needed to authenticate and/or validate applicants.
Complete requests for applicants to provide additional documentation.
Make corrections to applications found to contain erroneous information.
Conduct additional fraud evaluation on applications found to contain erroneous information.
Approve or deny fraud evaluation cases after conducting a holistic review as per established policies and procedures.
Determines the need for additional complex fraud investigation.
Assesses fraud tips.
Investigate complex cases of identity theft, tax credit fraud, dependent fraud, vendor fraud, tips from the public, death records, failure to respond issues, missing employer, and out-of-country issues.
Interview applicants, victims, and witnesses regarding identity theft, tax credit fraud, dependent fraud, vendor fraud, tips from the public, death records, failure to respond issues, missing employer, and out-of-country issues.
Conduct complex investigations involving more than one claimant, victim, and/or issue, including those of possible or probable fraud.
Verify investigative findings and information using available systems and data sets, including systems and data sets that are Federal Tax Information (FTI).
Know, apply, and adhere to the IRS safeguarding standards for the use of FTI, including those found in IRS Publication 1075.
Investigate claimants' reported earnings with employer wage information.
Adjudicate Working Families Tax Credit eligibility issues in accordance with the Revised Code of Washington, the Washington Administrative Code, and Federal Law.
Determine if the fraud penalty should apply to invoices.
Act as a resource for other WFTC staff regarding the validity of documentation provided by applicants, such as driver's license, tax returns, etc.
Answers all questions regarding benefits or available services. Explains available services, eligibility requirements, application procedures, and verification needs.
Gather and record evidential facts, analyze data, prepare investigative summary reports and letters, and present findings to partner agencies, law enforcement, and/or Assistant Attorney Generals for prosecution.
Testify in administrative hearings. Appear in Superior and District Courts as a witness for the state criminal cases.
Participate in field evidence collection with partner agencies.
Participate in continuing education and special projects as needed.