APPLICANTS MUST BE PERMANENT IN THE FRAUD INVESTIGATOR CIVIL SERVICE TITLE The Department of Social Services (DSS) is comprised of the administrative units of the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) and the Department of Homeless Services (DHS). HRA is dedicated to fighting poverty and income inequality by providing New Yorkers in need with essential benefits such as Food Assistance and Emergency Rental Assistance. DHS is committed to preventing and addressing homelessness in New York City by employing a variety of innovative strategies to help families and individuals successfully exit shelter and return to self-sufficiency as quickly as possible.
The DSS Accountability Office (DSS-AO) is responsible for protecting the integrity of social services programs administered by the New York City Department of Social Services (DSS) and ensuring that DSS complies with all statutory, regulatory, and contractual standards. Within AO, exists the Bureau of Fraud Investigations (BFI). They are mandated to conduct investigations of individuals and organized groups allegedly attempting or committing fraudulent acts against the social service programs administered by HRA/DSS. BFI has many sub-units. One is such units is the Investigation Division.
BFI Referrals & Investigation Division (RID) investigate several New York State mandated projects, public complaints and internally generated projects. BFI continues to have an ongoing investigative partnership with the Office of Welfare Inspector General (OWIG), New York City Housing Authority Inspector General (NYCHA IG), Department of Investigations (DOI) and Office of Legal Affairs (OLA).
The Bureau of Fraud Investigations (BFI) is recruiting for two (2) Fraud Investigator II's to function as a Senior Investigator, who will:
- Conduct complex investigations into allegations of fraud, waste, and/or abuse of social services benefits administered by HRA and the City of New York. Cases are received from unit supervisors and are generated from data mining, anonymous sources, and other match reports.
- Perform fieldwork activity including interviews with clients, witnesses, and participants who are under investigation to verify documents and records and gather evidence to build solid cases against persons committing fraud. Conduct collateral interviews with employers, landlords, and other witnesses to secure information. Interact with other law enforcement agencies at Federal, State, and local levels as part of the investigative process.
- Access numerous resources, such as the Welfare Management System (WMS), LexisNexis, HRA Viewer, ACRIS, ACCIS, and Data Warehouse to conduct research and obtain vital information relevant to the investigation.
- Write detailed case notes and annotated reports summarizing chronological events and developments.
Resolve allegations of fraud by making eligibility determinations or recommendations for continued assistance, case closings, or reduced assistance.
- Perform extensive fieldwork activity including interviews, undercover operations, surveillance and interrogations.
- Meet with Supervisor to discuss activities, concerns, and findings in investigations.
- Liaise between DSS/HRA, DSS- AO/IREA, and local law enforcements.
Represent and testify on behalf of HRA in court and at Fair Hearings.
- Assist in the training of new investigative staff. May provide coverage for Supervisor on a rotating basis.
- Perform other duties as needed.
Hour/Shift: Monday
Minimum Qualifications
- A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and three years of satisfactory, full-time experience, acquired within the United States in one or a combination of the following: a . performing investigations involving criminal and/or fraudulent activities; or b. evaluating credit histories; or c. searching for assets; and/or d. researching, compiling and/or locating evidence or information in order to build a case or uncover activities of a criminal, corrupt, unlawful or unethical nature involving public or private funds; or
- An associate degree or 60 semester credits from an accredited college or university, including or supplemented by 12 semester credits from an accredited college or university in criminal justice, forensic auditing, forensic science, police science, criminology, criminal justice administration and planning, and/or law or a related field and one year of satisfactory, full-time experience as an investigator as described in “1” above; or
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; or
- Education and/or experience equivalent to “1”, “2” or “3” above. Undergraduate college credit can be substituted for experience on the basis of 10 semester credits from an accredited college or university, for three months of full-time experience. However, all candidates must have at least a four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent.
Clerical experience in an organization which investigates criminal or fraudulent activities is not acceptable.
Preferred Skills
- Excellent written, verbal, interpretive and interpersonal skills.
- Working knowledge of HRA/IREA systems including IRIS, WMS, HRA Viewer, POS, Lexis Nexis, ACRIS, and ACCIS systems.
- Ability to assimilate into neighborhoods, without suspicion
- Experienced in conducting surveillances
- Bi-lingual ability a plus
- Valid NY State Driver’s License (a plus)
Residency Requirement
New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.
Additional Information
The Human Resources Administration/Department of Social Services offers competitive salaries and the following benefits: Generous Pension Plans (The New York Employees' Retirement System); 401(k) and Roth 457 Retirement Savings Programs; U.S. Savings Bonds Flexible Spending Program; Health Benefits, Dental, Vision Coverage, Prescription Drug Program; Training and Professional Development; Opportunity for Scholarship; College Savings Program; Paid Holidays and Generous Annual Leave.