Income Maintenance Investigator II – (DSS)

DEPARTMENT: Social Services

SALARY: Grade 61                         $19.9880 – $29.9820 Hourly /$41,575.04 – $62,362.56 Annually

OPENING DATE: September 20, 2024                        OPEN UNTIL FILLED

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The primary purpose of this position is to investigate fraud or alleged fraud in the income maintenance programs of the Duplin County Department of Social Services.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification.  It is not necessarily descriptive of any one position in this class.  The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position. Investigating Fraud Claims: FNS — 50%, Medicaid — 5%, Daycare — 2%, WFFA — 1%, Energy — 1% Employee completes Food and Nutrition Services investigations by mailing notices to the individual suspected of committing the IPV with a copy to any known legal or authorized representative. Employee creates a referral in EPICS and open an investigative file folder and begin a narrative. This Worker then pulls the case files for all aid programs the client received and labels them to prevent purging. Employee reviews all local agency eligibility files for the household under investigation. They also Check for verifications or other reported pertinent information. Employee sends written request to all third party verification sources (such as employers, neighbors, etc.) to verify the information reported by the referral that is not part of the Food and Nutrition Services or other agency files and request a reply within 30 days. Employee closes the referral if the eligibility file(s) has/have been purged or lost for the period of suspected over issuance.  Establishing Claims in Epics: 25% Employee must establish a referral in the EPICS case management system when an over issuance or Intentional Program Violation (IPV) has occurred. Employee must complete an investigation and enter appropriate information and dates before establishing a claim or seeking an IPV disqualification or making a criminal referral, or unsubstantiating a referral. When it is determined that there is no over issuance and no IPV, the worker will unsubstantiate the referral. Information and worker actions must be properly documented in a timely manner.  Interviewing Clients:  10% Employee establishes rapport with clients, collaterals and third party entities in order to obtain needed information in order to determine if fraud has occurred. Employee documents client and client-related contacts utilizing the computer and maintains records in an orderly manner. Reports (monthly, weekly, daily) — 5% Employee is responsible for pulling and working the monthly FRD, Data Warehouse, and Program Integrity reports on a monthly, weekly and sometimes daily basis and other state reports as needed.  Attending Court — 1% Prepare and provide court documents for law enforcement and judiciary officials. Presents cases to Grand Jury and testifies in court actions as to information gathered.

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS While the following tasks are necessary for the work of the unit, they are not an essential part of the purpose of this position and may also be performed by other unit members.

Performs general filing. Assists other unit workers when time permits. Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE An Associate Degree in Human Services Technology, Social Services Associate, Paralegal Technology, Criminal Justice, Business Administration, Secretarial Science or closely related curriculum and two years of experience as an Income Maintenance Caseworker or Investigator; or, graduation from high school and three years of experience as an Income Maintenance Caseworker or Income Maintenance Investigator; or graduation from high school and two years of investigative experience in credit, legal, or law enforcement work plus eighteen months of experience as an Income Maintenance Caseworker or Income Maintenance Investigator; or An equivalent combination of training and experience. SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES Thorough knowledge of manuals, rules, and procedures used in determining eligibility. Thorough knowledge of investigative procedures and techniques. Thorough knowledge of rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of the judicial system. Good mathematical reasoning and computational skills. Considerable knowledge of agency’s organizational rules, policies, and procedures. Ability to recognize, collect, and evaluate evidence to support actions. Ability to communicate effectively with applicants, community agencies, law enforcement agencies, and judiciary personnel to obtain or present pertinent data, and to negotiate agreement and/or cooperation. Ability to maintain effective working relationships with other employees, the general public, and the judicial system. Ability to present information orally or in written form.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

All employees should possess a valid North Carolina driver’s license.

All employees may be requested to perform other duties as assigned.

All employees may be required to assist county operations during a State of Emergency, disaster or other county event.