Senior Investigator

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, the Bureau of Fraud Investigations (BFI) conducts 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 such unit is the Investigation Division.

BFI Referrals & Investigation Division (RID) investigates 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 Fraud Investigator II positions 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 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), Lexis Nexis, 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 - Friday: 9am - 5pm

FRAUD INVESTIGATOR - 31113

• 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:
  • Performing investigations involving criminal and/or fraudulent activities;
  • Evaluating credit histories;
  • Searching for assets;
  • Researching, compiling and/or locating evidence or information to build a case or uncover activities of a criminal, corrupt, unlawful or unethical nature involving public or private funds.
• An associate degree or 60 semester credits from an accredited college or university, including or supplemented by 12 semester credits from an accredited…