12/06/2000 71843

FRAUD PREVENTION AND PROSECUTION DIRECTOR

DEFINITION:

This is managerial investigative work directing the fraud investigation, prevention and prosecution programs in the Office of Inspector General.

The employee in this class is responsible for developing, planning, directing and coordinating the benefit fraud detection, investigation, prosecution, and the recovery and control programs of the Office of Inspector General. Work involves directing headquarters, regional and field staff engaged in criminal, civil and administrative investigations and in the prosecution of recipients who commit fraud. Work includes reviewing, analyzing and interpreting Federal and state laws, legislation and regulations with emphasis on welfare benefit programs for income maintenance, medical assistance and food stamps and developing effective working relationships with Federal, state and local agencies to facilitate criminal prosecution of benefit recipients engaged in fraudulent activities or to provide civil or administrative penalties. The employee establishes program goals and objectives, sets program priorities, and allocates resources. Supervision is exercised over a large managerial, supervisory and field investigative staff. Work is performed with a high degree of initiative and independent judgment and is reviewed for program effectiveness.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:

Plans, organizes, directs and coordinates the Office of Inspector General's Fraud Prevention and Prosecution program.

Directs headquarters and regional staff in the investigation, prevention and prosecution of fraud affecting various assistance related benefit programs.

Directs staff in the investigation and settlement of claims and the recovery of funds legally owed to the Commonwealth by former and present public assistance recipients.

Establishes investigation, prosecution and recovery program goals and objectives.

Develops and implements methods for detecting and preventing fraud in Federal and state assistance programs.

Monitors, reviews and evaluates the effectiveness of on-going fraud detection and control program operations in meeting established goals and objectives and takes corrective action to insure compliance with mandates.

Confers and coordinates program activity with Federal and state officials, representatives of other Commonwealth agencies, public and private interest groups, judicial system officials and local government representatives.

Assesses training and staff development needs for regional and headquarters staff and insures that training is provided to improve investigative expertise and to meet established objectives.

Directs the preparation of daily, weekly, monthly and annual administrative and statistical reports needed for assessing adherence to mandates.

Directs the development of investigative procedures, internal processes and investigative reporting formats.

Conducts evaluation of pilot programs to detect practices conducive to fraudulent activity in benefit programs and recommends changes.

Supervises subordinate managers and supervisors who testify in criminal cases, civil trials, grand jury sessions and administrative hearings.

Reviews proposed regulations having an impact on fraud control and deterrence programs and submits appropriate comments and recommendations.

Represents the Office of Inspector General in educating the public regarding benefit control, deterrence and prosecution and recovery programs by participating in meetings, conferences, media interviews, and speaking engagements.

Employees in this class may participate in the performance of their subordinates' work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of the Federal and state mandate and Commonwealth goals, objectives and standards governing Office of Inspector General's investigation, prosecution and recovery programs and of the operations of the Income Maintenance and Medical Assistance programs.

Knowledge of the principals and methods of criminal investigations and law enforcement work, to include knowledge of the rules of evidence.

Knowledge of the organization and functions of public and private sector agencies with which staff must interact in performance of investigation, deterrence, prosecution and control programs.

Knowledge of the principals, practices and methods of public administration, supervision and program management.

Knowledge of criminal and civil law and court procedures.

Knowledge of laws, court decisions, interpretations and administrative rulings pertaining to benefit programs.

Ability to manage and direct large investigative programs.

Ability to consult and coordinate effectively with Federal, state and local judicial systems and law enforcement officials and with other administrative officials and the public.

Ability to read, interpret and apply Federal and state laws, rules and regulations.

Ability to establish program goals and objectives, to monitor, review and evaluate fraud deterrence and control programs and operations, and to take corrective action to insure program effectiveness.

Ability to plan, organize and direct the work of others.

Ability to develop and implement program modifications to develop pilot programs to insure compliance with mandates.

Ability to assess training and staff development needs to maintain the needed expertise to insure program effectiveness.

Ability to allocate resources to insure maximum recovery, deterrence and prosecution of fraud in benefit programs.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:

Six years general or criminal investigative experience, which included the review and presentation of records and documents in the prosecution of individuals and four years in an administrative, managerial or supervisory capacity, and a bachelors degree in Criminal Justice, Criminology, Pre-Law, Police Sciences or a related field;

or

An equivalent combination of experience and training.