Investigation Specialist I (Opbi) - 60046191

Investigation Specialist I (Opbi) -

This is an open standard opportunity. Investigation specialist I department of children and families this is a statewide vacancy – position location will be determined by selected candidate location. Multiple positions may be filled from this advertisement. The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) is the state of Florida's social services agency. The agency oversees services for child safety, fostering, adoption, domestic violence, adult protective services, refugees, homelessness, mental health, substance abuse, childcare providers, human trafficking, and public assistance.

The agency's mission is to work in partnership with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and resiliency. Within DCF, the Economic Self Sufficiency (ESS) Program helps to promote strong and economically self-sufficient communities by determining eligibility for food, cash and medical assistance for individuals and families on the road to economic recovery.

Under the ESS Program, the Office of Public Benefits Integrity (OPBI) is responsible for investigating public assistance fraud or misuse regarding the SNAP (Food Assistance), D-SNAP (Disaster Food Assistance), TANF (Cash Assistance), and Medicaid programs by individuals or merchants.

This is a full-time position working 40 hours per week. Business hours are 8:00 am - 5:00 pm EST, Monday - Friday. The incumbent is a member of the DCF D-SNAP Disaster Response team and, in that capacity, may be required on short notice to perform duties and travel in support of disaster relief. During such events, incumbent may be required to work more than 8 hours per day.

Minimum qualifications:

Must be a current Department of Children and Families employee OR must have been formerly employed with Department of Children and Families within the last year (12 months) or less. Must have a minimum of 1 year (12 months) Florida DCF ESS experience determining eligibility for government assistance program (Temporary Cash Assistance, Food Assistance, Medicaid, and Refugee Assistance). Preference will be given to:
Candidates with a minimum of two years (24 months) of State of Florida Economic Self Sufficiency experience Candidates with Office of Public Benefits Integrity experience Candidates with experience monitoring and/or reviewing cases for accuracy and correct application of Food Assistance, Cash, and/ or Medicaid policy. Candidates who are proficient in using the FLORIDA system and Microsoft Office Suite.

Job duties and responsibilities:

This is a professional position in the Benefit Recovery Program within the Economic Self Sufficiency Program that is responsible for investigation, calculation and recovery of over payment claims for public assistance programs (Temporary Cash Assistance, Food Assistance, Medicaid, and Refugee Assistance) as a result of pre-eligibility and eligibility investigations for Public Assistance applicants/recipients, community complaints or edibility staff referrals. The incumbent must have a detailed knowledge of the eligibility process and procedures for the Temporary Cash Assistance, Food Assistance, Medicaid, and Refugee Assistance programs, and have expertise in the use of the system of record and other on-line systems.

The person occupying this position works to ensure the Benefit Recovery Program is administered in conformity with federal, state, and regional policies. Duties include, but are not limited to:
Timely investigates referrals for potential over payment(s) as a result of fraud, inadvertent household error or agency error. Analyzes cases and investigative findings by using specific program policies and procedures to determine who is responsible/liable and reason for the over payment. Accurately establishes over payment claims and the dollar amount of over payments eligible for recoupment, based on current and past Federal and State laws and Public Assistance policies.

Completes referral reviews and claims in accordance with current program requirements. Takes timely and appropriate corrective action on identified errors through the Quality Management System, management evaluation reviews, and quality control reviews. Reviews existing information when available, initiates telephone contacts when necessary to validate information or respond to customer inquiries. Answers general telephone inquiries and exchanges information with other agencies and Department staff.

Assists customers and providers with questions or concerns pertaining to over payments. Represents the Department in Fair Hearings or State Attorney cases as assigned. Attends and participates in supervisory conferences, meetings, trainings, work groups and quality initiatives, as appropriate. Completes other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:
Knowledge of public assistance program objectives and policies Problem-solving techniques…