COORDINATOR OF ELIGIBILITY INVESTIGATIONS 40140
(Competitive)
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS
This work involves administrative responsibility for coordinating and directing the operations of the Investigations Unit within the Legal Division of the Department of Social Services. Under the general supervision of the Welfare Attorney, the Coordinator plans and supervises the work of an investigative staff, establishes and implements investigative and unit procedures, interprets and enforces adherence to social services’ policies and directives, and coordinates the work of the Investigations Unit with other DSS units and County departments.
This classification is distinguished from Income Maintenance Supervisor II by the type of staff supervised and program administered, and is further distinguished from the supervising level of Social Services Examiner and Social Services Investigator by the level of supervision exercised, final responsibility of work product and primary responsibility for dissemination and interpretation or rules, regulations and public assistance programs.
Work is assigned and reviewed through conference and submission of reports, with leeway given for the exercise of initiative and independent judgement within defined polices and goals. Supervision is exercised over social services investigators, clerical staff and directly over the supervisors of these workers. Incumbents must successfully pass a background check. Does related work as required.
TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES
Develops and monitors unit procedures consistent with local, state and federal policies and regulations for the effective implementation of eligibility investigations and productive management of the unit.
Directs and oversees the work of the unit by establishing goals for the unit and staff and handling any problems that arise.
Interprets federal, state and departmental policies, regulations and programs under the guidance of administrative superiors in order to advise staff and insure the effective implementation of state and federal mandates.
Provides direction and decisions in response to staff requests for information, policy interpretation, appropriate procedures and in analyzing difficult cases.
Trains staff in the procedures and techniques of eligibility investigations and evaluates employee performance through on-the-job observations and review of completed work.
Coordinates unit work with that of other DSS units through staff meetings to review and improve work flow, communications and procedural/operational problems.
Assists in the formulation and implementation of departmental policies and procedures to improve program administration and coordination of activities.
Evaluates staff performance and quality of work product by periodically reviewing completed cases for accuracy, completeness, soundness of judgements made and inclusion of necessary documentation.
Provides information to DSS staff and official personnel on eligibility investigations, status of individual cases, and related data which can be released.
Maintains cooperative relationships with all DSS personnel, Family Court, District Attorney's Office, law enforcement agencies and other public or private agencies or businesses as needed to help achieve the objectives of the Investigations program.
Establishes procedures for and supervises the maintenance of records and files in accordance with State requirements and principles for effective office management.
Oversees and participates in the preparation of reports on unit and program activities which involves the compilation and tabulation of data.
FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Thorough knowledge of local, state, and federal social services laws, regulations and guidelines as they pertain to eligibility for social services programs.
Through knowledge of agency programs policies and procedures.
Thorough knowledge of the principles and techniques of conducting both in-office and field investigations to collect and verify facts such as residence, employment, earnings and assets, existing court orders, etc.
Thorough knowledge of office management techniques relating to directing of work, establishment of policies and procedures and record keeping and reporting.
Good knowledge of the principles and techniques of supervision.
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FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES con’t
Good knowledge of laws which affect program eligibility (Workman's Compensation, Social Security, Unemployment insurance etc.).
Ability to manage a staff involved in verifying and investigating program eligibility.
Ability to interpret and apply the laws, codes and regulations pertaining to program eligibility.
Ability to plan, direct and implement, unit procedures and coordinate the work of others.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
Ability to interpret and implement complex oral and written instructions.
Ability to prepare clear and concise written and oral reports.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Promotion:
A. One (1) year of permanent, competitive class status in the title of Supervising Social Services Investigator; or
B. Three (3) years of permanent, competitive class status in the title of Senior Welfare Fraud Investigator; or
C. Five (5) years of permanent, competitive class status in the title of Welfare Fraud Investigator.
Open-Competitive:
A) Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with a Baccalaureate Degree and five (5) years of professional level work experience in one of the areas described below, one (1) year of which must have been in a supervisory capacity for a social services agency.
(1) Investigative or collection work experience related to either welfare fraud, financial, criminal, insurance, private civil matter or closely related area which involved public contact; or
(2) Law enforcement experience; or,
(3) Public assistance/income maintenance work experience; or,
B) Nine (9) years of paraprofessional or professional level work experience, or its part time experience, five (5) years of which must have been professional level work experience as described above in A(1), A(2) or A(3), one (1) year of which must have been in a supervisory capacity for a social services agency.
09/2016 Revised