Social Services Investigator - Child Support at The Department of Children and Families in Torrington, Connecticut

Job Description:

Introduction

Are you interested in investigating real and personal assets related to child support obligations? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services (DSS) is recruiting for Social Services Investigator - Child Support with two immediate vacancies in our New Haven and Waterbury field offices. Future vacancies are expected in the Danbury and Torrington offices. The hours are full-time (40 hours per week) with a work schedule of Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Discover the opportunity to:

• Work with local courts, the Attorney General's Office, Family Support Magistrates, and Support Enforcement Services (Judicial Branch)


• Maintain a Connecticut child support program that supports the children and families of Connecticut while also meeting and exceeding all federal program requirements


• Be a part of child support office teams that continue to be in the top performing offices in the state

At DSS, we are guided by our shared belief in human potential, and we envision a Connecticut where all have the opportunity to be healthy, secure and thriving. We, along with our partners, provide person-centered programs and services to enhance the well-being of individuals, families and communities.

Our employees participate in a competitive benefits plan that includes healthcare coverage, a retirement plan, as well as paid time off! We encourage a healthy work-life balance for all employees.

Selection Plan

Please Note: You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. The email notification will include an expiration date by which you must submit (Finish) your responses. Please regularly check your email for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders, as emails could end up there in error.

The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.

At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation, which supports their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: performance reviews, attendance reports, supervisory references, college transcripts, licenses, etc. at the discretion of the hiring agency. You do not have to submit these documents with your application.

If selected for further consideration, State employees may be required to provide last 2 service ratings and last 2 attendance records.Non-State of CT employees may be required to submit a resume and 2 professional references.

The Department of Social Services participates in E-Verify.

The immediate vacancy is listed above, however applications to this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies in the job classification.

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Michelle Gara at Michelle.Gara@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Social Services, this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in investigations relevant to the enforcement of child support obligations.

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 public assistance programs concerning children and the financial obligations related to these programs; knowledge of investigatory methods and techniques; knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply relevant agency policies and procedures; knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; knowledge of economic, social and health problems affecting family security; knowledge of property ownership, personal finances, paternity and child support issues; knowledge of court procedures and related legal instruments; some knowledge of legal terminology; skill in conducting investigations; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; interviewing skills; ability to understand and interpret legal and financial documents; ability to prepare reports; ability to perform arithmetical computations; ability to negotiate settlements with legally liable party; ability to utilize computer software and systems.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Five (5) years of experience in the investigation of real and personal assets related to child support obligations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

1. 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.
2. For state employees, one (1) year as a Connecticut Career Trainee with the target class of Social Services Investigator (Child Support) substitutes for the General Experience.
3. For state employees, one (1) year as a Social Services Investigator (Fraud and Resources) may be substituted for the General Experience.
4. For state employees, two (2) years as a Eligibility Services Workers may substitute for the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience reviewing financial information such as charges and payments


• Experience with caseloads providing service to families


• Experience creating word documents with mail merge and importing data


• Experience working with Excel, specifically using formulas, building charts, and creating graphs


• Experience working in a virtual or remote environment

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Travel to DSS sub-offices, state courts and administrative state agencies may be required.
2. 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.

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