Salary: $28.16 - $37.79 HourlyLocation : Merced Los Banos or AtwaterJob Type: Full-TimeJob Number: MSS04845Department: Merced County Human Services AgencyOpening Date: 11/15/2024Closing Date: ContinuousPosition InformationUnder direction, to conduct investigations relating to suspected fraudulent receipt of public assistance aid; to locate and interview persons; to obtain and present facts and evidence to support administrative action or prosecution; and to do other related work, as assigned.The Welfare Fraud Investigator I is the entry/trainee level classification in the Welfare Fraud Investigator series. Incumbents in this class may perform routine case investigations, field investigations, report writing and some aspect of fraud prosecution in accordance with specific instructions and clearly defined guidelines. The Welfare Fraud Investigator II is the journey level classification in the Welfare Fraud Investigator series. Incumbents in this class work with considerable independence in performance of the full range of public assistance aid fraud investigations. Incumbents may work irregular hours and in various locations throughout the County. Examples of DutiesDuties may include, but are not limited to the following:
- Conducts in-house and field investigations of suspected fraudulent receipt of public assistance aid.
- Locates and interviews suspected persons, absent parents, and witnesses.
- Analyzes and evaluates interview information and witnesses' statements and facts.
- Locates and examines a variety of records to secure information concerning suspected violations.
- Contacts and interviews private individuals and representatives of business or governmental organizations.
- Gathers, assembles, preserves, and reports facts, statements, or affidavits and other evidence for use in legal action.
- Interprets and explains the provisions of laws, rules or regulations related to the purpose of the investigation.
- On assignment, acts in a liaison capacity between the District Attorney's Office, the Welfare Department, County Counsel's Office and all other public agencies, State, Federal and Local law enforcement and regulatory agencies and courts.
- Refers Cases to the District Attorney's office for possible criminal prosecution.
- Testify in court or State hearings.
- Obtains/Assists with search and/or arrest warrants.
- Execute powers of arrest.
- Prepares correspondence and reports.
Knowledge of:
- Interviewing techniques.
- Report writing and record keeping.
- Criminal investigation techniques and procedures.
- Appropriate methods of surveillance, skip tracing methods, and other sources of information used in locating persons or obtaining facts.
- Principles of identification, arrest procedures, preservation, search acquisition and execution, representation and presentation of evidence.
- The legal rights of citizens.
- Automated systems used within California County social services departments.
- Public assistance programs and regulations.
Ability to:
- Communicate complex information, both orally and in writing, in a manner that is understandable to others.
- Interview, analyze, and evaluate the statements of witnesses or suspected violators.
- Learn, interpret and apply provisions of the welfare laws, search and seizure laws, and the legal rights of citizens.
- Write clear and accurate correspondence and reports.
- Perform basic arithmetical calculations.
- Deal effectively with citizens and public officials under conditions requiring tact and good judgment.
- Analyze situations accurately.
- Act quickly and appropriately in emergencies.
- Gather and document information and evidence by observation, record examination and interview.
- Coordinate and communicate job activities and investigations with staff responsible for other functions within the Department.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Operate a personal computer and other modern office equipment.
- Communicate effectively with others in person and over the telephone.
- Analyze data, interpret directions, and regulations, and develop appropriate responses.
- Perform job duties under stressful conditions and respond appropriately to situations.
- Maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and County regulations.
- Gather, assemble, preserve and report facts, statements, or affidavits and other evidence for use in legal action.
- Read and interpret computer generated information as well as preparing correspondence.
- Establish, implement and achieve goals and objectives.
- Frequent use of depth perception, peripheral vision and color perception.
- Frequently lift, carry, reach, push, pull, twist and manipulate large and small objects.
- Frequent use of hand-eye coordination.
- Frequent use of data entry device including repetitive hand and arm motion.
- Occasionally lift and carry up to 40 pounds.
- Normal dexterity, frequent holding and grasping.
- Sit, walk or stand for extended periods of time.
- Frequent public contact, concentration in noisy conditions, exposure to emergency situations.
- Regular attendance is an essential function.
Minimum QualificationsWelfare Fraud Investigator IEITHER, IEducation: Equivalent to an Associate's degree in criminology, social work, law enforcement or a closely related field. (Additional qualifying experience may substitute for the education on a year-for-year basis.)OR, IIExperience: One (1) year of investigative experience which included interviewing clients, writing detailed case reports, and preparing or presenting evidence or information in court.ANDEducation: Successful completion of a minimum of six (6) semester units of college level course work in criminal investigation techniques and legal aspects of evidence.OR, IIIExperience: Two (2) years of full-time experience as a Family Services Representative II or an Employment & Training Worker II.ANDEducation: Successful completion of a minimum of six (6) semester units of college level course work in criminal investigation techniques and legal aspects of evidence.WELFARE FRAUD INVESTIGATOR IIEITHER, IExperience: Two (2) years of experience comparable to Welfare Fraud Investigator I in Merced County.OR, IIExperience: Two (2) years of experience conducting investigative work which included locating, observing, and interviewing suspected persons and witnesses, writing detailed reports of case findings and preparing or presenting evidence in court. ANDEducation: Successful completion of twelve (12) semester units of college level coursework in criminal investigation techniques and legal aspects of evidence.OR, IIIEducation: Equivalent to an associate's degree in criminology, social work, law enforcement or a closely related field. (Additional qualifying experience may substitute for the education on a year-for-year basis.)ANDExperience: One year (1) of investigative experience which included interviewing clients, writing detailed case reports, and preparing or presenting evidence or information in court.SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (BOTH LEVELS)
- Possess a valid California driver's license at time of appointment and maintain.
- Possess or successfully complete the Peace Officer's Standards and Training Basic Academy or Specialized Investigative Course within twelve (12) months of appointment.
Note: Welfare Investigators cannot exercise the powers of a peace officer until successful completion of Basic Academy or Specialized Investigative Course.Prior to appointment to peace officer status a background check, psychological and physical examination shall be required. Supplemental Information SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS EXAMINATION - WEIGHTED 100%The Supplemental Questions examination is designed to elicit a range of specific information regarding each candidate's knowledge, skill, abilities, and potential to effectively perform the duties relative to the classification. Responses to the questions will be assessed based on pre-determined rating criteria. All applicants must complete all questions to receive a score. To obtain a position on the eligible list, candidates must receive a minimum rating of 70% on the examination. Competitors who do not submit responses to the supplemental questions by the deadline will be disqualified.MSS is accepting applications on a continuous basis. Qualifying candidates will be notified via email with instructions for completing the examination within 30 days of the date of application.ELIGIBLE LIST INFORMATION A departmental open eligible list will be established for the county of Merced. The list will be utilized for 12 months after it is established unless the needs of the service and conditions of the list warrant a change in this period.RETEST PERIODOnce you have taken the examination, you may not retest for SIX (6) MONTHS from the established eligibility date.SPECIAL TESTING ARRANGEMENTSSpecial testing arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants for disability, military, or religious reasons. If you require such arrangements, please contact CalHR at or 916-###-#### upon notification that your application has been approved. Documentation from medical, military, school or church officials outlining the accommodation request must be received by our office a minimum of five business days prior to a scheduled examination. EDUCATION DOCUMENTS If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications, you must attach your transcripts to your application. Applicants with foreign transcripts must provide a transcript evaluation that indicates the number of units to which the foreign course work is equivalent. Transcripts and evaluations may be unofficial; official transcripts may be required upon appointment. Please redact birthdates and social security numbers. GENERAL INFORMATION This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment. MSS reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the recruitment if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all competitors will be notified.If you meet the requirements stated on this bulletin, you may take this examination. Your performance in this examination will be rated against predetermined rating criteria. All competitors who pass will be added to the eligible list. Meeting the entry requirements does not assure success in the examination or placement on the eligible list. General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgement, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. As part of the hiring process, a background investigation may be required. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY The Merit System Services program is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation. DRIVER'S LICENSE REQUIREMENT Some positions in this classification may require possession of a California driver's license. Employees who drive on County business to carry out job-related duties must possess a valid California driver's license for the class of vehicle driven and meet automobile insurability requirements of the County. Eligibility for employment for those who do not meet this requirement due to disability will be reviewed on case-by-case basis by the appointing authority. ABOUT MERCED COUNTY Merced County is located in the northern part of the San Joaquin Valley in central California, an area earning worldwide acclaim for its rich agriculture, and spans from the coastal ranges to the foothills of Yosemite National Park. The City of Merced, the self-proclaimed Gateway to Yosemite, has a population of approximately 81,102, yet retains the charm of a small town with amenities routinely found in larger communities. Merced's revitalized downtown is emerging as the entertainment center of the area. The County is representative of the rural heartland and Gold Rush remnants underpinning the state's heritage. It is a peaceful, quiet, and friendly area with an abundance of beautiful bike paths and offers choices of higher education in UC Merced and Merced College.Merit System Services does not negotiate or determine the benefits or salaries for positions offered by its partners. For more information about benefits or salaries, please visit the listed county or child support office's website or contact their human resources department.01
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