Job Description

Requisition No: 875542

Agency: Children and Families

Working Title: INVESTIGATION SPECIALIST II (OPBI) - 60069443

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 60069443

Salary: $42,750.24, in accordance with DCF salary policy

Posting Closing Date: 05/10/2026

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This is an Internal Agency opportunity.

Only current department employees are eligible to apply.

THIS IS A STATEWIDE VACANCY – POSITION LOCATION WILL BE DETERMINED BY SELECTED CANDIDATE LOCATION

Investigation Specialist II

Department of Children and Families

The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) isthe state of Florida’s social services agency. The agency oversees services for child safety, fostering, adoption, domestic violence, adult protective services, refugees, homelessness, mental health, substance abuse, child care providers, human trafficking and public assistance. The agency’s mission is to work in partnership with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and resiliency.

Within DCF, the Economic Self Sufficiency (ESS) Program helps to promote strong and economically self-sufficient communities by determining eligibility for food, cash and medical assistance for individuals and families on the road to economic recovery.

Under the ESS Program, the Office of Public Benefits Integrity (OPBI) is responsible for investigating public assistance fraud or misuse regarding the SNAP (Food Assistance), D-SNAP (Disaster Food Assistance), TANF (Cash Assistance), and Medicaid programs by individuals or merchants.

TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION RESPONSES TO THE QUALIFYING QUESTIONS ARE REQUIRED AND MUST BE VERIFIABLE BASED ON YOUR SUBMITTED APPLICATION.

*The requested information must be disclosed on the State of Florida Candidate Profile. It is not acceptable to write "see resume" on the Candidate Profile (application). *

Applicants must meet the minimum requirements to be hired for this position.

INVESTIGATION SPECIALIST II – 60069443 – ESS OPBI Benefit Investigations Program

THIS IS NOT A TELEWORK POSITION.

The selected candidate will be required to work at the closest office location.

Some travel and use of your personal vehicle may be required.

This is classified as a Career Service position, working full-time, 40 hours per week.

Business hours are 8:00 am - 5:00 pm EST, Monday - Friday.

The incumbent is a member of the DCF D-SNAP Disaster Response team and, in that capacity, may be required on short notice to perform duties and travel in support of disaster relief. During such events, incumbents may be required to work more than 8 hours per day.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be a current Florida Department of Children and Families, Office of Public Benefits Integrity, Benefit Investigations employee
• Two years (24 months) of ACCESS experience and one year (12 months) of OPBI experience within Benefit Investigations (Experience as an Economic Self Sufficiency Specialist I or higher-level class can substitute for OPBI experience)
• A willingness to travel, including overnight.
• A valid state-issued Driver's License may be requested.
• Demonstrates advanced skillset with leadership potential

PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO CANDIDATES WITH THE FOLLOWING:

• Experience with problem-solving techniques within a work group.
• Three (3) or more years working in OPBI as an IS I (previously ESS II) or higher-level position.
• Completion of one professional certification, such as Certified Welfare Fraud Investigators (CWFI). (This will be requested as part of the selection process. Please attach a copy of the certificate to your Candidate Profile before you submit your application.)

INVESTIGATION SPECIALIST II - ESS Office of Public Benefits Integrity

This is a team lead Investigator position that reports directly to the Benefits Investigations (BI) Supervisor.

It is classified as a Career Service position, working 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday.

Travel and use of your personal vehicle may be required.

The incumbent will ensure the job duties and responsibilities are completed in a timely manner and with a high accuracy rate. It is important for the applicant to display a professional attitude and strong work ethic.

Duties include assisting in fraud investigations and provides support in the recovery of funds lost due to waste, fraud, or abuse. This position is qualified to be exempt from public record. Incumbent is a member of the DCF D-SNAP Disaster Response team and, in that capacity, may be required on short notice to perform duties and travel in support of disaster relief. During such events, incumbent may be required to work more than 8 hours a day.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
This is a professional position responsible for conducting more complex pre-eligibility and eligibility investigations for public assistance applicants/recipients as part of the Benefit Investigations Program.The incumbent must have a detailed knowledge of the eligibility process and procedures for the Cash, Food Assistance, and Medicaid programs, and have expertise in the use of the FLORIDA computer system and other on-line systems. The person occupying this position works to ensure the Public Benefits Integrity Program is administered in conformity with federal, state and zone/district policies.Assigned duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Performs quality management system reviews as assigned. Ensures corrections are completed accurately and timely.
• Reviews and analyzes data from all monitoring sources and provides training in the areas in which problems are identified.
• Assists the supervisor in handling and resolving internal and external customer inquiries and complaints. Follows established office procedures which may include updating and maintaining tracking mechanisms.
• Reviews and analyzes public assistance cases (Cash, Food Assistance and Medicaid Assistance) suspected of containing or involving fraudulent information or activity which is identified using error prone profiles. Reports findings and recommendations to ESS eligibility staff within 10 working days after the case is referred to the Benefit Investigations Unit so staff may correctly determine eligibility of the individuals requesting public assistance.
• Compiles case files by gathering evidence pertinent to the suspected fraud. Develops investigative strategies. Effectively uses data systems to gather information for case files.
• Accurately uses Florida Statutes and public assistance policies.
• Interviews clients or collateral contacts in order to resolve inconsistent eligibility factors. Completes field investigations when appropriate
• Prepares cases for referral to Administrative Disqualification Hearing (ADH) and/or referrals to appropriate sources.
• Enters data information into the Benefit Investigations System of Record
• Attends and participates in supervisory conferences, meetings, trainings, work groups and quality initiatives, as appropriate. Acting Supervisor when the Supervisor is unavailable.
• Completes other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of public assistance program objectives and policies; problem-solving techniques; training principles and practices; goal setting techniques; arithmetic.
• Skill in operating a personal computer.
• Ability to conduct fact-finding interviews; accurately prepare and maintain records and reports; work with a diverse range of people; adapt to change; deal calmly and effectively in high stress situations; compose documents or correspondence involving technical information; complex arithmetic operations; interpret and apply regulatory materials; prioritize and meet deadlines; establish and maintain effective working relationships; communicate effectively orally and in writing; apply ethical business practices.

Important Application Process Information:

INTERNAL AGENCY OPPORTUNITY.
ONLY CURRENT DCF EMPLOYEES WILL BE ELIGIBLE.

TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION RESPONSES TO THE QUALIFYING QUESTIONS ARE REQUIRED AND MUST BE VERIFIABLE BASED ON YOUR SUBMITTED APPLICATION/ CANDIDATE PROFILE AND RESUME

**It is unacceptable to use the statement “See Resume” in place of entering work history information. **

Candidate Profile (application) must be completed in its entirety.

• Include supervisor names and phone numbers for all periods of employment.
• All previous DCF positions must be listed separately Include the total years in each position along with all required duties.
• Account for and explain any gaps in employment so that the hiring process is not delayed.
• Experience, education, training, knowledge, skills and/or abilities as well as responses to pre-qualifying questions must be verifiable to meet the minimum qualifications.
• It is unacceptable to use the statement “See Resume” in place of entering work history.

DCF EMPLOYMENT DISCLOSURES

The Department of Children and Families is a tobacco-free environment.

US CITIZEN REQUIREMENTOnly US citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers will be hired.

SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM REGISTRATION All selected male candidates born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion into an authorized position unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS). Verification of Selective Service registration will be conducted prior to hire For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov

RETIREE NOTICEIf you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be suspended or voided, and you required to repay all benefits received depending upon the date of your retirement.

BACKGROUND SCREENING REQUIREMENT: It is the policy of the Florida Department of Children and Families that any candidate being considered for employment must successfully complete a State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment, and also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S., and, if applicable, Chapter 408, F.S. Employment may be terminated based on the background investigation results if the candidate begins employment before the background results are received, reviewed for any disqualifying offenses, and approved by the Department. Background investigations shall include, but not be limited to, fingerprinting for state and national criminal records check through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and may include local criminal history checks through local law enforcement agencies. Employees will be retained in state and national RAP Back program, providing real-time arrest hit notifications.

BENEFIT RECOVERY SCREENINGCandidates applying to positions in the Economic Self Sufficiency Program will have a Benefit Recovery check completed to validate current or former public assistance case information before completing the hiring process.

If you experience problems applying online, please call the People First Service Center at (877) 562-7287.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.