Senior Investigator

City of New York • New York, NY

1d

About The Position

The DSS Accountability Office (DSS-AO) is responsible for protecting the integrity of social services programs administered by the New York City Department of Social Services (DSS) and ensuring that DSS complies with all statutory, regulatory, and contractual standards. The Bureau of Fraud Investigations (BFI) is mandated to conduct investigations of individuals and organized groups allegedly attempting or committing fraudulent acts against the social service programs administered by HRA/DSS. The Investigation Division (ID) oversees and investigates several mandated NYS projects such as the Massachusetts Border Match, 1099 Match and the Bank Match, along with other internally generated projects. In addition, the division plays an active role in the timely investigation and resolution of BFI’s quarterly PARIS Match and assists with the field visits for the Prison Match. ID continues to have an ongoing investigative partnership with the Office of Welfare Inspector General (OWIG) and New York City Housing Authority Inspector General (NYCHA IG). BFI is recruiting for one (1) Fraud Investigator II to function as a Senior Investigator, who will:

Requirements

• APPLICANTS MUST BE PERMANENT IN THE FRAUD INVESTIGATOR CIVIL SERVICE TITLE OR IN A COMPARABLE TITLE ELIGIBLE FOR 6.1.9.
• A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and three years of satisfactory, full-time experience, acquired within the United States in one or a combination of the following: a . performing investigations involving criminal and/or fraudulent activities; or b. evaluating credit histories; or c. searching for assets; and/or d. researching, compiling and/or locating evidence or information in order to build a case or uncover activities of a criminal, corrupt, unlawful or unethical nature involving public or private funds; or 2. An associate degree or 60 semester credits from an accredited college or university, including or supplemented by 12 semester credits from an accredited college or university in criminal justice, forensic auditing, forensic science, police science, criminology, criminal justice administration and planning, and/or law or a related field and one year of satisfactory, full-time experience as an investigator as described in “1” above; or 3. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; or 4. Education and/or experience equivalent to “1”, “2” or “3” above. Undergraduate college credit can be substituted for experience on the basis of 10 semester credits from an accredited college or university, for three months of full-time experience. However, all candidates must have at least a four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent. Clerical experience in an organization which investigates criminal or fraudulent activities is not acceptable.

Responsibilities

• Conduct complex investigations into allegations of fraud, waste, and/or abuse of social services benefits administered by HRA and the City of New York. Cases are received from unit supervisors and are generated from data mining, anonymous sources, and other match reports.
• Perform fieldwork activity including interviews with clients, witnesses, and participants who are under investigation to verify documents and records and gather evidence to build solid cases against persons committing fraud.
• Conduct collateral interviews with employers, landlords, and other witnesses to secure information. Interact with other law enforcement agencies at Federal, State, and local levels as part of the investigative process.
• Access numerous resources, such as the Welfare Management System (WMS), LexisNexis, HRA Viewer, ACRIS, ACCIS, and Data Warehouse to conduct research and obtain vital information relevant to the investigation.
• Write detailed case notes and annotated reports summarizing chronological events and developments. Resolve allegations of fraud by making eligibility determinations or recommendations for continued assistance, case closings, or reduced assistance.
• Perform extensive fieldwork activity including interviews, undercover operations, surveillance and interrogations.
• Meet with Supervisor to discuss activities, concerns, and findings in investigations.
• Liaise between HRA, AO/IREA, and local law enforcements. Represent and testify on behalf of HRA in court and at Fair Hearings.
• Assist in the training of new investigative staff. May provide coverage for Supervisor on a rotating basis.
• Perform other duties as needed.
• Utilize the various databases EDW, WMS, DARB, MONY, LexisNexis, HRA One-Viewer to make an informed decision on how to proceed with a case.
• Interview clients to discuss their cases and obtain additional information (if necessary)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: High school or GED