Welfare Investigator I

Job Description:

Welfare Investigator I

Description

The Position

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.

Conducts investigations relating to suspected fraudulent receipt of aid; obtains and presents facts and evidence to support administrative action or prosecution; negotiates for and secures repayment of funds fraudulently obtained; and performs related work as required.

Working under close supervision, Welfare Investigator I is the entry/trainee level in the Welfare Investigator series. Employees receive in-service training, and are given detailed instructions in the performance of routine duties related to welfare fraud investigations. As requisite skills and knowledge are developed, greater independence and the full scope of responsibility are exercised. Unless a position is permanently allocated to level I due to the nature of the work, employees are expected to promote to Welfare Investigator II after one year of satisfactory performance at the trainee level.

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.

Job Requirements and Minimum Qualifications

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following. For Welfare Investigator I, duties are performed at the trainee level.

• Conducts in-house and field investigations of suspected fraudulent receipt of aid.
• Locates and interviews suspected persons, absent parents, and witnesses using a variety of surveillance and tracing methods.
• Analyzes and evaluates witnesses' testimony.
• Enters and retrieves numerical and narrative data from an automated computer system.
• Executes search warrants and make arrests.
• Examines a variety of records to secure information concerning suspected violations.
• Gathers, assembles, preserves, and reports facts, statements, or affidavits and other evidence for use in legal action.
• Assists in fraud prosecutions in accordance with specific instructions and clearly defined guidelines.
• Makes arrangements for the repayment of funds fraudulently obtained and follows-up to enforce actions for collection of such funds.
• Reads and interprets computer printouts and information on computer screens.
• Prepares correspondence and reports.
• Interprets and explains the provisions of laws, rules or regulations related to the purpose of the investigation.
• May act in a liaison capacity between the social services department and the District Attorney's office and County Counsel's office.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Education and Experience:
EITHER

Two (2) years of full-time experience as an Eligibility Worker II;

OR

Two (2) years of full-time experience interviewing and independently determining eligibility for public or private social services, medical services, or related programs;

OR

One (1) year of full-time experience in investigative work which included locating, observing, and interviewing suspected persons and witnesses, writing detailed reports of case findings, and preparing and presenting evidence,

AND

Successful completion of six (6) semester units of college level course work in criminal investigation techniques and legal aspects of evidence. Note: Applicant who is close to completing this education requirement may be admitted to the exam process, but must meet these requirements at time of appointment. [Substitution] An additional six months of investigative experience beyond the one year required above; which included interviewing people, writing detailed case reports, and preparing or presenting evidence or information in court, may substitute for the required education.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Welfare Investigators have Peace Officer status and must meet the following requirements under Government Code Sections 1029, 1030,1031: No felony convictions; citizen of the United States; 21 years of age; high school graduate or GED equivalence; be fingerprinted to permit search for criminal records; be of good moral character as determined by a background investigation; be free of any condition which might adversely affect exercise of Peace Officer powers.

Successful completion of a Specialized Investigative Basic Course (SIBC) approved by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training within twelve months of appointment to the class OR possession of a valid basic peace officer certificate as awarded by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training OR successful completion of the regular basic peace officer course as awarded by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training within three years prior to appointment.

{Welfare Fraud Investigators appointed to their positions prior to 1/1/2001 and whose employment with the appointing county has been continuous are exempt from the above requirement for the purposes of promotional positions. If the individual leaves the appointing county to work in the same capacity in a different county, he/she must meet the requirements listed above as defined in California Penal Code Section 830.25.}

Welfare Investigators cannot exercise the powers of a peace officer until successful completion of the above requirements.

Prior to appointment to peace officer status, a background check, psychological and physical examination is required.

Employees in this classification may be required to work long, irregular hours, and drive considerable distances on a regular basis.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Note: The level and scope of the knowledge and skills listed below are related to job duties as distinguished between the two levels in the Definition section.
• Interviewing techniques.
• Report writing and record keeping.
• Computer terminology and computer keyboard arrangement.
• Criminal investigation techniques and procedures.
• Appropriate methods of surveillance, skip tracing methods, and other sources of information used in locating persons or obtaining facts.
• Principles of identification, arrest procedures, searchwarrant acquisition and execution, preservation, and presentation of evidence.

Ability to:

• Communicate information, both orally and in writing, in a manner that is understandable to others.
• Interview, analyze, and evaluate the statements of witnesses or suspected violators.
• Learn, interpret, and apply provisions of the welfare laws, search and seizure laws, and the legal rights of citizens.
• Navigate through screens to retrieve information in an automated computer system.
• Write clear and accurate correspondence and reports.
• Perform basic arithmetical calculations.
• Deal effectively with citizens and public officials under conditions requiring tact and good judgment.
• Gather and document information and evidence by observation, record examination, and interview.
• Negotiate for, and secure payment of, funds fraudulently obtained or funds for support of recipients of aid.
• Coordinate and communicate job activities and investigations with staff responsible for other functions within the Department.
• While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
  

Selection Procedure & Other Important Information

Written testing for qualified Welfare Investigator I applicants is currently scheduled for July 29, 2025.

* Please note the dates are subject to change. You will be notified at least 7 days prior to the actual test date.

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. Applicants meeting the job requirements and qualifications without prior law enforcement experience will be invited to participate in a written POST Entry Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB)* exam (pass/fail). Those who pass the written exam will be invited to participate further in the selection process. Based on the number of candidates passing the written exam, a qualifications appraisal (oral examination) (weight 100) may be administered. The examination process will test the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the essential job functions. A passing mark of 70 must be attained for placement on the employment list.

*Candidates cannot test within 30 days of previous written POST Entry Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB) exam.

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: Eligibility is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal history and other background investigations including fingerprinting and a polygraph examination. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment medical evaluation including physical and psychiatric exams and drug screening. Must not be prohibited from possessing firearms.

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 is an Equal Opportunity Employer


This information is a summary of general benefits. Benefits listed in Mendocino County Resolutions or Memorandums of Understanding prevail over this listing. This information is not legally binding, nor does it constitute a Contract.

SALARY
Compensation is based on a five-step salary range, with annual merit-based increases within the salary range.

RETIREMENT
Covered under Social Security and the 1937 act; both employees and the County pay into the retirement fund. For the most current information regarding County Retirement please go to:
https://www.mendocinocounty.org/retirement

HOLIDAYS AND PERSONAL LEAVE
Mendocino County observes 11 paid holidays per year. Employees are granted 24 - 48 hours of personal leave annually, depending upon Bargaining Unit.

VACATION
Accrues at the rate of two weeks per year for three years. Three weeks per year after three years, four weeks after eight years and five weeks after 15 years.

SICK LEAVE
Paid sick leave accrues at the rate of 1.25 days per month, or 15 days per year. Accruals are pro-rated for part-time employees working at least 20 hours per week. Part-time employees working less than 20 hours per week, and extra-help employees receive up to 24 hours (or 3 days) of paid sick leave annually.

MEDICAL, DENTAL, VISION, AND LIFE INSURANCE
The County and the employee share the cost of an employee selected health care plan; enrollment in the plan includes $20,000 Life Insurance.

HEALTH INSURANCE
For the most current information regarding Health Insurance please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/ehb

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
For the most current information regarding Employee Assistance please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/eap

EMPLOYEE WELLNESS PROGRAM
For the most current information regarding Employee Wellness please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/mcwow

LABOR CONTRACTS
For the complete list of most current labor agreements please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/labor

Closing Date/Time: 7/9/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$74,609.60 - $90,667.20 Annually