Welfare Fraud Investigator

The list developed from this recruitment will be used for a limited period to fill open and promotional, regular full-time, and part-time positions, should they occur.

Bilingual English/Spanish encouraged to apply. Se buscan personas bilingües en inglés y español. Para recibir una solicitud en español, llame a Recursos Humanos al 234-6600.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Investigates cases of known or suspected violations of the law related to the fraudulent receipt of public assistance funds; and may investigate other violations of the law discovered during the course of the investigation.
• Traces and locates suspects and witnesses; interviews them to analyze and evaluate their testimony.
• Contacts and interviews individuals, employers, credit agencies, law enforcement agencies, tax agencies, and other public and private entities to secure and verify information.
• Interprets and explains the provisions of laws, rules, or regulations regarding welfare fraud as they pertain to the conduct of investigations and the ensuing court process.
• Conducts mobile surveillance, stationary surveillance, and field contacts for the purposes of obtaining information pertinent to welfare fraud investigations.
• Prepares case records files for trial; gathers, assembles, and ensures that all pertinent evidence, statements, and related information is in the case record.
• Prepares comprehensive investigative reports for oral or written presentation; prepares affidavits and other legal forms for administrative and/or legal action.
• Requests issuance of a complaint from the District Attorney’s Office on cases showing evidence of fraud or other criminal activity; appears as a witness in court and in civil proceedings, such as fair hearings and Administrative Disqualification Hearings.
• Prepares charts, graphs, evidence logs, and courtroom exhibits in order to display or convey the chain of evidence to the court.
• Confers with defendants and attorneys in order to secure restitution of overpayments and fraudulently received funds.
• Authors and serves civil papers, criminal court orders and search warrants in connection with welfare fraud and related investigations.
• May make arrests on matters related to welfare fraud and other related crimes.
• Properly uses and safeguards firearms as defensive tools and for the protection of others.
• May instruct and assist subordinate investigators; may confer with eligibility staff regarding the preparation and processing of welfare fraud cases.
• Completes criminal history checks for criminal and civil investigations and when requested by Family, Youth, and Children Services.
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge of:

• Investigative techniques and procedures, including identification, preservation and presentation of information that may be used as evidence in legal action.
• Public assistance programs, eligibility, laws, regulations and procedures.
• Legal rights of citizens who may have fraudulently applied for and/or obtained welfare benefits.
• Principles and techniques of interviewing.
• Arrest procedures, search warrant acquisition and execution.
• Report preparation and record keeping methods and techniques.
• Appropriate methods of surveillance, skip tracing methods, and other sources of information used in locating persons or obtaining facts.
• Basic court and legal procedures required to seek repayment of funds that are due to the County.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes and regulations.
• All computer applications and hardware related to performance of the function of the job.

• Analyzing and interpreting written, numerical, and verbal data from various sources.

• Collecting, compiling, research, and presenting information and evidence in an effective manner.
• Effectively interviewing applicants, recipients, County employees, individuals and witnesses to obtain factual data pertaining to suspected welfare fraud.
• Analyzing, evaluating, and assessing witness statements, suspected violators and individuals’ financial status.
• Interacting with people in a courteous manner in person, on the telephone, by mail or e-mail communication.
• Assessing and managing difficult and hostile people or situations; or calling for intervention when appropriate.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with the public and staff.
• Reading, understanding, preparing, applying, presenting, and explaining complicated and detailed correspondence, reports, regulations, and policy directives.
• Testifying in court.
• Communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate grammar and syntax.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to interpret and translate pertinent legal requirements.
• Ability to assess individual’s problems and to tactfully gather personal background information.
• Determine appropriate course of action in emergency situations.
• Evaluate and make appropriate recommendations and corrections on selected cases.
• Interact with disruptive and/or confrontational people.
• Interpret and explain regulations and policy directives.
• Apply the laws, rules, and regulations governing eligibility and grant determination for multiple public assistance programs and the case administration of these programs.
• Explain rules and programs so they can be understood by people of diverse socio-economic, cultural and educational backgrounds.
• Detect and evaluate potential fraudulent situations.
• Function effectively in a system with strict deadlines and constant changes.
• Work in a fast-paced, professional office environment and prioritize a wide range of duties with varying time requirements to ensure timely completion.
• Perceive the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction, and to have the ability to receive detailed information through oral communication. Communicate to express or exchange ideas. Convey detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly, and/or quickly.
• Have close visual acuity, with or without correction, to prepare and analyze data and figures, to view a computer terminal, to read, etc. Positions in this class also require employees to have depth perception in order to operate a motor vehicle. Have the visual acuity to make observations of surroundings and must demonstrate color vision sufficient to distinguish colors in order to describe events in an accurate manner.
• While performing the essential functions of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, to reach with hands and arms, and speak and hear.
• Work outdoors with exposure to intense noises, fumes, odors, pollens, dust, inadequate lighting, and unpleasant field conditions including rain, wind, cold or hot weather.
• Perform heavy work: exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Important Application Information:

• It is your responsibility to demonstrate through your application materials how you meet the minimum qualifications of the position/s for which you apply. 
• You must complete all sections of the application.  A résumé or other information you feel will help us evaluate your qualifications may be attached to your completed application, but will not be accepted in lieu of completing any part of the application.  Blank applications that contain only a résumé or those that reference “see résumé” will be rejected as incomplete.
• Check your application before submitting to ensure it is complete and correct; no new or additional information will be accepted after the closing date.
• Inquiry will be made of your former and current employers; please provide the names and telephone numbers of supervisors on your application. 
• You must provide the names and contact information of at least three (3) references (not relatives) that have knowledge of your job skills, experience, ability and/or character. 
• Application materials are the property of Mendocino County and will not be returned.
• It is your responsibility to keep your NEOGOV profile updated, including any changes to your telephone number or address. Failure to do so may result in missed notification of exams or interviews.
• The exam process listed on this flyer is tentative. Mendocino County reserves the right to make necessary modifications to the examination plan. Such revisions will be in accordance with approved personnel standards.  Should a change be made, applicants will be notified.
• The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

Examination Process: All complete applications will be reviewed; incomplete applications will not be considered. Based on the number of qualified candidates, applicants meeting the job requirements and qualifications will be invited to participate in an oral examination (weight 100) or an unassembled exam, consisting of an evaluation of education and experience as stated on the application form. The examination process will test the knowledge and abilities described above. A minimum score of 70 must be attained for placement on the employment list. 

Special Testing: The County of Mendocino is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals.  In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), if special accommodations for a disability or religious conviction are necessary at any stage of the application and/or testing process, please notify the Human Resources Department in advance at (707) 234-6600.  Reasonable notice is required to allow adequate time for review and evaluation of your request.

Special Requirements: Employment in some County departments or positions may require the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background, which may include fingerprinting, and/or a medical examination, which may include drug screening.

This announcement is a synopsis of duties and requirements of this job. To review the complete classification specification and benefits, please see the HR website. Applications must be submitted to the Human Resources Department by the final filing date.   

The County of Mendocino participates in the E-Verify program to confirm employment eligibility. If hired, the information you provide on your Form I-9 will be used to verify your authorization to work in the United States.

Learn more:

• E-Verify Notice of Participation(Download PDF reader)
• Right to Work(Download PDF reader)

The County of Mendocino is an Equal Opportunity Employer