County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general direction, to plan, assign, and review the work of the Special Investigations Units engaged in investigating cases of suspected fraudulent receipt of public assistance; to train staff; to maintain standards of performance and productivity; and to do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

The Supervising Welfare Investigators have direct responsibility for the Special Investigation Units of the Social Services Agency. The incumbents in this class are responsible for planning, organizing, and reviewing the work performed by these units. The class of Supervising Welfare Investigator is distinguished from social work supervisor classes because of the primary emphasis on directing Welfare Investigators involved in fraud and special eligibility investigation rather than Social Workers involved with ongoing casework services.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Reviews requests for investigation of suspected fraud from the Human Services and Economic Benefits Divisions of the Social Services Agency, Family Support Division of the District Attorney's Office, County Board of Supervisors, general public, anonymous letters and phone calls, and other agencies.
2. Reviews completed investigations to determine accuracy of computations, completeness of investigation, adequacy of charge, and sufficiency of documentation in accordance with the rules of evidence.
3. Trains and advises Welfare Investigators on the pertinent elements of fraud, including the order and techniques of investigation, the determination of sources of information, the proper methods of budget computation, and the interpretation of the law and other regulations.
4. Confers with Social Workers and Eligibility Technicians and their supervisors regarding suspect cases; discusses case history and type of fraud suspected; advises on additional information needed before case may be referred to the Investigation Unit.
5. Confers with the District Attorney's Office to discuss specific cases and problems; to sign complaints as a representative of the Welfare Department; to receive instructions relating to rules of evidence, court procedures and legal details; to act as advisor on Social Services Agency policies and procedures.
6. Conducts unit meetings to explain administrative policy decisions and procedural changes and to discuss general business of interest to the unit.
7. Supervises and assigns the work of personnel performing the clerical and record keeping duties of the unit.
8. Compiles and completes monthly reports on the unit's activity for the Alameda County Social Services Agency and the State Department of Health.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I

The equivalent of one year of experience in the class of Welfare Investigator II in the Alameda County classified service. (Non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts.)

Or II
Education:

Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university (180 quarter units or 120 semester units) with major course work in Criminal Justice, Business, Public Administration, or closely related field (additional full-time experience with law enforcement investigative government/agency at the Federal, State, County or local level may be substituted for the education on a year-to-year basis),

And
Experience:

The equivalent of two years of full-time paid experience in investigative work which shall have included locating and interviewing suspects and witnesses and preparing reports of findings for prosecutorial consideration and one year of supervisory experience.

Special Requirements:
Be a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship one year prior to submission of their application for employment.

POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) certified. Persons appointed must meet the minimum requirements for Peace Officers (per Section 1031 of the Government Code) which includes:

• Must be at least 21 years of age at the time of appointment.

• A thorough background investigation and psychological examination  will be made of all prospective candidates. A record of any felony conviction will result in disqualification.


License:

All candidates must possess a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of supervision.
• Investigative techniques and sources of information.
• Principles of identification, preservation, and presentation of evidence.
• Legal procedures and rules of evidence with particular reference to fraud investigation.
• Interviewing techniques, including the effective methods of obtaining information from hostile or reluctant witnesses.
• Financial and credit transactions, including the principles of bookkeeping.
• Public welfare laws and regulations applicable to fraud investigations.

Abilities:

• Supervising, training, guiding, and evaluating subordinates.
• Planning, directing and coordinating the work of others.
• Conducting investigations to obtain valid information and evidence.
• Interpreting, and applying provisions of the welfare laws applicable to fraud investigation.
• Analyzing data and drawing valid conclusions.
• Contacting citizens, recipients, and public officials under conditions requiring tact and good judgment.
• Preparing and presenting evidence, correspondence, reports and referrals in effective oral and written form.
• Communicating effectively and tactfully with staff at all levels in the Social Services Agency and other agencies.
• Relating positively to all people.
• Identifying and helping people to clarify what their needs are from the Special Investigations Unit.
• Engaging in a cooperative effort in getting a job done.
• Handling adverse personnel situations.
• Interpersonal sensitivity
• Work with diverse population.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

Revised: 6/78
BG:lh-Retyped: 3/85
DF:dj-Revised: 9/94
DF:lm-Revised: 9/96
Old document: 0667h.doc
New document: Jobspecs/6778
ys/8/01
CSC Date: 10/18/96
IB:cs Revised 3/10/11
CSC Date: 5/4/11
IB:cs Revised 3/6/12
CSC Date: 4/4/12

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.