Income Maintenance Investigator I

Salary: Depends on QualificationsLocation : Albemarle, NCJob Type: Full-TimeJob Number: 2000290Department: Social ServicesOpening Date: 02/23/2026Closing Date: ContinuousJob DescriptionThis position is primarily responsible for investigation of alleged fraud in the income maintenance programs of Social Services and conducting front-end investigations on applications for assistance. This will include home visits. Work at this level requires the review of income maintenance case files referred to them by income maintenance caseworkers and supervisors or where fraud allegations are made by individuals within the community to determine whether errors exist and, if so, the cause of errors. Where the cause of error indicates potential client fraud, the worker is responsible for investigating the case, meeting with the client to discuss the situation, and offering to enter into a repayment agreement or a reduction of benefits. The investigator makes recommendations concerning the appropriate action to take in resolving the cases. Employees may assist in presenting the case or assist the District Attorney in the prosecution of the client in court. Other duties may be assigned. Competence in computer skills with Microsoft Office Professional is required.Examples of Job DutiesResponds to allegations of fraudulent application for public, medical, or food and nutrition assistance from the general public, caseworkers, law enforcement officials, and other community and governmental agencies; researches and compiles information relating to case.Interviews clients filing allegedly fraudulent applications and other parties who may have relevant information concerning investigations such as neighbors, employers, or landlords.Makes decisions and determines disposition of investigative cases.Makes arrangements with the client for repayment of assistance if it was erroneously applied for without fraudulent intent and when fraudulent action is determined in hearing decisions.Arranges administrative fraud hearings with a hearing officer for clients alleged to have had fraudulent intent in applying for assistance; presents documents and testifies at hearings.Establishes a collection record when overpayment or over-issuance occurs; monitors claims for collection status; utilizes many different methods and sources for collection activity including garnishments, tax intercept, and small claims court.Serves as program consultant and technical advisor to the eligibility staff, reviewing overpayment/underpayment errors to reduce the occurrence of program violations and errors.Prepares and submits Medicaid facility/provider overpayments to the state for processing.Consults with departmental attorney and Social Services Board about referral of fraudulent actions to courts; draws and files warrants; testifies in court; assists District Attorney with prosecution.Maintains a variety of records; prepares a variety of reports.Performs Income Maintenance Caseworker II duties including interviewing, processing applications, eligibility redeterminations, and may maintain a small caseload or temporarily be responsible for a caseload for position vacancies.Documents case records; maintains records, files, and confidentiality.Gathers and reviews household income, financial resources, and residency data.Computes amounts of assistance for programs; adjusts underpayments.Completes replacement benefits for disaster/non-disaster incidents.Enters and retrieves data from the appropriate state and county systems.Produces monthly financial reports; searches documents for posting errors.Operates computer, scanner, calculator, and other standard office equipment incident to maintaining records.Participates in ongoing training as required.Participates in teams, task forces, committees, job fairs, off-site applications and outreach activities as assigned.Ensures all federal, state, and local policies and procedures are followed.Knowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesThorough knowledge of the program area(s) of assignment and of the federal, state, and county rules and regulations governing eligibility for assistance under various programs.Knowledge of investigative procedures and techniques and of administrative hearing procedures.Knowledge of and ability to read, analyze, interpret, and apply federal, state, and county program rules, regulations, and procedures.General knowledge of agency and community programs and services.Working knowledge of standard office procedures, practices, and equipment.Skill to use a variety of office machines, computers, applicable software and typing.Skill in collaborative conflict resolution, teamwork and customer service excellence.Ability to recognize, collect, and evaluate evidence to support actions.Ability to effectively present information orally and in written format.Ability to prioritize work and complete required tasks within structured time limits.Ability to perform mathematical reasoning and computations.Ability to prepare and maintain accurate records and reports.Ability to attend work regularly.Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, community and state agencies, and the general public.Ability to work effectively, tactfully, and courteously with the public and other governmental organizations.QualificationsAn Associate Degree in Human Services Technology, Social Services Associate, Paralegal Technology, Criminal Justice, Business Administration, Secretarial Science, or closely related curriculum and one year of experience as an Income Maintenance Caseworker; or graduation from high school and two years of experience as an Income Maintenance Caseworker; or graduation from high school and two years of investigative experience in credit, legal, or law enforcement work plus six months experience as an Income Maintenance Caseworker; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Starting Salary is $41,377 or DOQMust have valid NC driver's license and reliable transportationSTANLY COUNTY BENEFITS (Full-time Employees)Employees accrue sick and vacation time each paycheck.Stanly County observes twelve (12) holidays. New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving (Thursday and Friday), Christmas (3 days).Employees receive one (1) personal day per year.INSURANCE BENEFITS:Stanly County provides health & vision insurance with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. Our plan is a PPO, 80/20, with a $1000 deductible. Teledoc is offered through our insurance for a $10 co-pay per visit. Primary care visit is a $40 co-payment. Specialist is $50 co-pay. One free eye exam per year. The insurance coverage is FREE to full-time employees.Dental Coverage is with Guardian dental insurance and is FREE to full-time employees.Other volunteer insurance benefits include: Flexible Spending Program, Life Insurance, Cancer, Accident, and Disability policies.Stanly County offers an employee health clinic. Our on-site Advance Practice Provider will see employees and dependents covered on our county insurance plan free of charge. This service does not replace your primary healthcare providers but augments their care.As a wellness benefit, employees have the option of joining the Stanly County YMCA. The County will pay half of the employee's membership.Employee Assistant Program is offered through Atrium Health. Each employee will receive up to six (6) free sessions on a rolling year. Dependent children and/or spouse may also use the sessions.RETIREMENT:Stanly County Employees will be a member of the N. C. Local Government Employees' Retirement System. Stanly County is required to withhold six percent (6%) from each paycheck and deposit it into the retirement system. The County also contributes to the plan. You are vested at five years as a contributing member. After one year of contributing membership in the system, a death benefit is available if you die while still in active service or within 180 days of your last day of service.NC 401(k) (Supplemental Retirement Plan):Employees can contribute to the Empower 401(k) plan upon hire. If the employee contributes at least one percent (1%), Stanly County will match one percent (1%).Additionally, employees may make additional contributions through the following options: 457 Deferred Compensation Plan and Roth Plan Option.LONGEVITY:Longevity pay is earned after three (3) years of continuous Local Government retirement benefited service working with Stanly County government.Longevity Bonus:3 years but less than 5 years $3005 years but less than 10 years $60010 years but less than 15 years $90015 years but less than 20 years $1,200