Social Services Investigator - Child Support
State of ConnecticutIntroduction
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 Investigations – Child Support!
The State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services (DSS) – Child Support Division – is currently recruiting qualified individuals for several Social Service Investigator – Child Support positions for all 12 Resource Centers located in Bridgeport, Danbury, Hartford, Manchester, Middletown, New Britain, New Haven, Norwich, Stamford, Torrington, Waterbury, and Windham, CT.
If you’re looking for a role that blends investigative work, legal processes, and meaningful public service, this position offers a unique opportunity to make a direct impact on the well-being of children and families. As a Social Service Investigator in Child Support, you’ll play a central role in establishing and enforcing financial and medical support obligations, ensuring that parents meet their responsibilities and that families receive the resources they need.
In this role, you will conduct detailed investigations to locate noncustodial and alleged parents, establish paternity through voluntary acknowledgment or legal proceedings, and assess financial resources including income, real estate, and personal assets. You’ll work directly with custodial and noncustodial parents, attorneys, employers, and various public and private agencies to gather critical information, negotiate support agreements, and facilitate compliance with court-ordered obligations.
This position also involves preparing legal documents, participating in court proceedings, testifying on cases, and taking enforcement actions when necessary. From performing title searches and filing liens to reviewing and modifying support orders, your work will require strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to navigate complex legal and financial systems.
Ideal candidates are effective communicators who can explain policies and procedures clearly, manage sensitive situations professionally, and balance investigative responsibilities with a commitment to fairness and public service.
Position Highlights:
- This position is only open to current Department of Social Services employees.
- Locations: Bridgeport, Danbury, Hartford, Manchester, Middletown, New Britain, New Haven, Norwich, Stamford, Torrington, Waterbury, Windham.
- Full-time | 1st Shift | Hybrid
- Monday – Friday | 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
What we can offer you:
- View our State Employee Benefits Overview page!
- Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities.
- A healthy work-life balance to all employees!
- 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.
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!
Career progression within the State of Connecticut: staring with Social Services Investigator (Child Support), advancing to Social Services Investigator (Child Support), and ending at Social Services Investigator Supervisor (Child Support).
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 IN APPLYING:
Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library for additional support throughout the recruitment process.
BEFORE YOU APPLY:
- Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
- Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below.
- Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
- Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
- Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
- Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.
- Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.
AFTER YOU APPLY:
- Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates—such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your Personal Status Board regularly. For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information.”
- Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).
- Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
- Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
- The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
- Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:
Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Rocky Young at Rocky.Young@ct.gov
PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
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
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.
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.