Investigative Assistant

Placer County Health and Human Services is a multi-division agency focused in the health and social services fields.  Our services are available throughout the county.   We provide a unified system of qualify services to safeguard the health and well-being of the people and animals in our communities.  To realize our mission, we strive to keep all children, adults, and families healthy, safe, at home, in school or work, out of trouble, and self-sufficient.

This recruitment is to fill a full-time vacancy in the Welfare Fraud Special Investigation Unit of the Department of Health and Human Services - Human Services Division.

To assist in conducting criminal and civil investigations, including alleged welfare and other fraud, check forgeries and other violations of laws and regulations; to perform routine and preliminary data collection, gathering of evidence, and investigative research; and to perform a variety of clerical and related duties.

When assigned to the Welfare Fraud Unit of the Department of Health and Human Services, investigations focus on criminal investigations of alleged welfare and other fraud, check forgeries and violations of welfare law and regulations.

Receives direct supervision from higher level investigative staff or may receive technical and functional supervision from either supervisory or management personnel.

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

• Perform and assist in routine investigations of purported law violations including alleged violations of welfare law and regulations and the possibility of welfare fraud and check forgeries or in civil cases, conduct investigations of employee misconduct, tort claims, and citations.
• Perform early fraud and related investigations; conduct home visits to observe and look for irregularities and inconsistencies with applicants' documentation and statements or in civil cases, interview, by telephone or in person, complainants, dependents, and witnesses recording and documenting interviews.
• Perform investigations of missing persons, runaways; conduct home visits and interview family members.
• Research and collect required data and documentation for records and criminal case work; obtain court, law enforcement and other records; locate and interview witnesses, record statements, and collect and preserve evidence as directed.
• Receive fraud or employee misconduct complaints via the telephone and/or correspondence; request necessary information and documentation and complete appropriate paperwork/forms to initiate or document action taken.
• Review cases, case files, police reports, perform necessary follow-up and/or further investigation and make recommendations for appropriate action/disposition.
• Coordinate with attorneys and investigators in performing ongoing investigations of alleged violations of welfare laws and regulations, purported law violations, tort claims and litigation including service of subpoenas in non-confrontational circumstances.
• Maintain records of investigative and related activities; prepare reports, correspondence and recommendations as necessary and upon request.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Photograph and/or diagram crime scenes.
• Prepare court exhibits and/or testify in court.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: When assigned to the Department of Health and Human Services - Welfare Fraud Unit, the Investigative Assistant requires two years of law enforcement or three years of experience performing public assistance eligibility determination, or social service duties, which include evaluating cases to determine their completeness and accuracy, verifying information by locating and interviewing clients and witnesses, and preparing reports of findings.

Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.  Completion of POST certified PC 832 course is desirable.

License or Certificate:
May need to possess a valid driver’s license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Knowledge of:

• Basic investigative techniques and procedures, including resources for locating people.
• Public assistance programs and eligibility requirements.
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation
• Basic accounting and mathematics.
• Basic criminal and civil law, civil process and procedures including rules of evidence.

Ability to:

• Learn the California statutory laws related to criminal or civil investigation, including welfare fraud investigation, arrest, custody, rules of evidence, search and seizure, interviewing and interrogation, and hearing and trial procedures.
• Learn modern police science, technology and investigative techniques.
• Learn to analyze and evaluate evidence.
• Understand complexities of civil law, public assistance programs and regulations.
• Compile oral and physical evidence.
• Establish rapport with and manage witnesses.
• Take detailed statements and affidavits.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Obtain information through interview and deal fairly and courteously with the public.
• Act quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper course of action.
• Work unusual and/or prolonged work schedules while conducting investigations.
• Use a computer, calculator, typewriter, telephone, dictation machine, facsimile machine, postage meter and photocopy machine.
• Use tools and equipment used in investigation including flashlight, binoculars, camera, police radio, and tape recorder.
• Communicate clearly and concisely in both oral and written forms.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Read and comprehend reports.
• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers, reports and special projects; remember accounts given by witness; identify suspects; apply the law to field situations; observe while conducting surveillance; problem solve crime situations; and explain law to the public.
• On an intermittent basis, sit at desk or in a vehicle; walk, stand, bend, squat and kneel while retrieving files and documents; walk, stand, or climb stairs during field interviews, home visits or surveillance activities; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling and fine manipulation. Use telephone and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means or retrieve information/data; see with sufficient acuity to observe subjects; hear and speak with sufficient acuity to interview and communicate with subjects, witnesses and other parties; and lift moderate weight.

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula.  Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

Prior to the date of hire, applicants for regular full and part-time positions must pass a medical examination which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation. Applicants for extra help positions may be subject to a drug screening. All applicants must sign a constitutional oath, submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S. and be fingerprinted. For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, be bonded or undergo a background check.

All new permanent employees, with the exception of sworn law enforcement and management, shall be required to join the employee organization or pay an 'Agency Fee' as a condition of employment.

The eligible list(s) resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification.  For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County now offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please visit our website at: http://www.jobaps.com/placer/sup/abfreenames.asp.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment and retaliation is prohibited and that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All recruitment, hiring, transfer and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of sex, sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religious creed, national origin, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other classification protected by federal, state or local laws or ordinance. Please contact the Personnel Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change.  It is advisable that applicants inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Personnel Department.

Click here to view benefits for General bargaining unit