STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Social Services Investigator - Child Support

Hybrid

Recruitment #240726-5043SH-001

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Introduction


Are you a current employee of the Department of Social Services with five (5) years of experience in the investigation of real and personal assets related to child support obligations?  If so, we have an excellent opportunity for you to join our team as a Social Services Investigator – Child Support!


The State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services (DSS) – is currently recruiting for several Social Services Investigator – Child Support  positions in New Haven, Willimantic (Windham) and Windsor, CT.

Position Highlights: PCNs 34289, 33237, 117020

  • Full-time | 1st Shift | Hybrid
  • Monday – Friday 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

What we can offer you:

  • View our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!
  • Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities.
  • A healthy work-life balance to all employees!
  • The opportunity to work for a Forbes top company: ‘Forbes’ State of Connecticut Ranked one of the best Employers of 2023 – State of CT receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule.
  • The State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service.  Click here for more information.

In your role as a Social Services Investigator – Child Support, you will have the opportunity to:

  • Perform investigations to locate noncustodial and alleged parents;
  • Secure acknowledgements of paternity or participate in legal proceedings to establish paternity;
  • Perform investigations to determine financial resources of noncustodial parents, father of minor children, legally liable relatives and client;
  • Meet with noncustodial parents and their attorneys in an attempt to establish an agreement of financial support;
  • Related duties as required;
  • For a more comprehensive list of duties please Click Here.

Department Overview:

The State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services (DSS) delivers and funds a wide range of programs and services as Connecticut’s multi-faceted health and human services agency.  DSS services about 1 million residents of all ages in all 169 Connecticut cities and towns.  We support the basic needs of children, families, older and other adults, including persons with disabilities.  Services are delivered through 12 field offices, central administration, online and phone access options.  Follow us on twitter @ctdss and see what we are all about!

Selection Plan

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current State of CT employee, who has worked for the state for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening.

 

FOR ASSISTANCE WITH APPLYING:

Please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!

 

To Apply:

  • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on this job opening.  You must specify your qualifications on your application.
  • For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.
  • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • These positions will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion, and merit employment rules.  Applications to this recruitment will be used to meet collective bargaining requirements.  Once any collective bargaining requirements have been met, all other applications may be considered.
  • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience most closely meets the preferred qualifications, so please ensure that your application is complete and details your experience as outlined in this job posting.  Please note: You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application into the JobAps system.
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
  • Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.

Important Next Step Information for After You Apply:

  • Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
  • This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
  • At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position.
  • All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
  • Due to the large volume of applications received, the Department of Administrative Services is unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account.
  • Revised Master Application Tutorial: Click Here.
  • Read through this helpful link to prepare for your interview.

Connect With Us:

  • If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Rocky Young at rocky.young@ct.gov and reference the recruitment number. 
  • Follow the State of Connecticut on LinkedIn.

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.

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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience applying principles and practices of the child support enforcement program
  • Experience applying relevant state and federal child support statutes, regulations, and policy
  • Experience analyzing and recommending solutions to complex child support problems
  • Experience establishing and maintaining productive relationships with colleagues and partner agencies
  • Experience researching, gathering detailed data, and drafting complex correspondence and reports
  • Experience listening and responding to customer complaints via phone/email contact
  • Experience with Microsoft 365: Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel, and Teams

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.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

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.



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