State of Connecticut Executive Branch

Social Services Investigator - Child Support (5043SH)

$31.97-$39.91 Hourly / $2,556.82-$3,192.65 BiWeekly /
$66,733.00-$83,328.00 Yearly

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Social Services this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in investigations relevant to the enforcement of child support obligations.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the general supervision of a Social Services Investigations Supervisor (Child Support), Lead Social Services Investigator (Child Support) or other employee of a higher grade.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

May lead lower level employees as assigned.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Performs investigations to locate noncustodial and alleged parents;
  • Secures acknowledgements of paternity or participates in legal proceedings to establish paternity;
  • Performs investigations to determine financial resources of noncustodial parents, father of minor children, legally liable relatives and client;
  • Meets with noncustodial parents and their attorneys in an attempt to establish an agreement of financial support;
  • Secures agreements to support or participates in legal proceedings to establish court ordered financial and medical obligations;
  • Determines value of real estate and personal property;
  • Interviews custodial and/or noncustodial parents, alleged parents, legally liable relatives or clients to obtain information about paternity, income, real estate and personal assets or location;
  • Contacts employers and public and private agencies to obtain location and/or information about absent parents alleged fathers or legally liable relatives;
  • Prepares and files liens;
  • Performs title searches and negotiates releases of liens, mortgages, sales and transfers of property, accident or lawsuit settlements and decedent estates;
  • Determines, reviews and modifies amount of support to be paid by noncustodial parents;
  • Explains legal and policy requirements and procedures to clients, noncustodial parents, legally liable relatives, the general public and others;
  • Provides case information to Office of the Attorney General;
  • Prepares support petitions;
  • Serves summons or orders of notice;
  • Testifies in court on cases involving support, arrearages or claims for reimbursement;
  • Determines appropriate actions to enforce compliance with court orders;
  • Reviews discontinued cases for possible redirection of child support and refunds of excess child support money or recovery of public assistance money, prepares summaries and testifies at fair hearings;
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Knowledge of
    • and ability to interpret and apply relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
    • interpret and apply relevant agency policies and procedures;
    • public assistance programs concerning children and the financial obligations related to these programs;
    • investigatory methods and techniques;
    • economic, social and health problems affecting family security;
    • property ownership, personal finances, paternity and child support issues;
    • court procedures and related legal instruments;
    • legal terminology;
  • Skills
    • conducting investigation skills;
    • interpersonal skills;
    • oral and written communication skills;
    • interviewing skills;
  • Ability to
    • understand and interpret legal and financial documents;
    • prepare reports;
    • perform arithmetical computations;
    • negotiate settlements with legally liable party;
    • utilize computer software and systems.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Five (5) years of experience in the investigation of real and personal assets related to child support obligations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  • College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's Degree.
  • For state employees one (1) year as a Social Services Investigator (Fraud and Resources) may be substituted for the General Experience.
  • For state employees two (2) years as a Eligibility Services Workers may substitute for the General Experience.
  • Successful completion of a Connecticut Careers Trainee program approved by the Department of Administrative Services may be substituted for the General Experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Travel to DSS sub-offices, state courts and administrative state agencies may be required.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

JOB CLASS DESIGNATION

Classified/Competitive

OCCUPATIONAL GROUP

(14)-Inspection-Investigation

BARGAINING UNIT

(12)-SOCIAL SERV (P-2)

EEO

(2)-Professional

SALARY INFORMATION

SH 20

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes.  As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.

CANCELLATION CLAUSE

This replaces the existing specification for the class of Social Services Investigator - Child Support in Salary Group SH 20 approved effective January 10, 2014 (Revised to modify the Minimum Qualifications - Substitutions Allowed section and modify content) Final 23-035

EFFECTIVE DATE

03/08/2023
CLASS: 5043SH; EST: 9/7/1956; REV: 3/15/2023;