08/01/1990 06655

EMPLOYMENT SECURITY AUDIT AND INVESTIGATION SPECIALIST

DEFINITION: This is technical program audit as well as fraud investigation work of job service, unemployment compensation, and employer tax operations programs and activities in the Department of Labor and Industry in order to develop and improve methods, procedures, and controls and to insure compliance with regulations.

An employee in this class travels to conduct investigations into suspected cases of fraud or abuse of agency programs and activities by agency employees, clients, claimants, or employers. Employees gather documentation and evidence, which can require the use of surveillance equipment, to identify and resolve cases of fraud and prepare and give testimony in hearings and court proceedings. Work also involves auditing records, methods, and procedures in field and central offices for accuracy, completeness, and validity to prevent fraud and collusion, ensure conformance with laws, rules, regulations, precedent decisions, and established standards and policies, and develop and improve methods, procedures and controls relating to employment security programs. Investigative and auditing work requires contact with department employees, claimants, job service applicants, employers, federal officials, and various police and other law enforcement agencies. Detailed reports are prepared on the proper disposition of fraud cases and findings and recommendations of audits conducted of office activities. Work is reviewed by an audit and investigation supervisor through review of investigative reports and reports of findings and recommendations of audits.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Conducts investigations into suspected cases of fraud or abuse of the unemployment compensation, employer tax operations, and job service programs and activities involving employees, employers, clients, and claimants of the agency.

Interviews witnesses and questions suspects to obtain information concerning suspected violations against the Commonwealth.

Participates with police and other law enforcement agencies in the investigation and resolutions of fraud cases.

Collects, evaluates, and develops evidence and prepares recommendations on presentation of cases to prosecuting officials.

Receives complaints and analyzes facts involved to determine the course and scope of an investigation.

Recommends changes in agency administrative operations to prevent future violations.

Examines bank and other financial records and apparent concealed liabilities and assets to determine financial background.

Utilizes modern investigative techniques and equipment, conducts surveillance, uses photographic and optical equipment.

Examines and evaluates records, methods, and procedures of field and central office activities including unemployment compensation, employer tax operations, and job service programs to determine compliance with federal and state laws, rules, regulations, precedent decisions, administrative quasi-judicial panel or board decisions and policies, and best methods of operation.

Prepares reports of findings of audits and recommendations to increase effectiveness of operations.

Participates in planning, developing, and implementing programs, methods and procedures relating to specialized employment security services.

Maintains effective relations with employers, claimants, local law enforcement and public officials to obtain data to identify problems in employment security programs.

Testifies before administrative quasi-judicial boards and the courts.

Travels regularly to conduct the official responsibilities of the job.

Performs related duties as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques of fraud investigation and law enforcement.

Knowledge of the basic rules of evidence.

Knowledge of appropriate statutes, court decisions, interpretations and administrative procedures and rulings pertaining to Pennsylvania unemployment compensation, employer tax operations, and job service programs.

Knowledge of principals and techniques of administrative review in examining and evaluating programs in the Department of Labor and Industry.

Knowledge of the functions and objectives of Pennsylvania job service, unemployment compensation, and employer tax operations programs.

Skill in the use of electronic, photographic, and optical equipment used in investigations and surveillance activities.

Ability to read and understand basic ledgers, journals, and financial statements, including those produced electronically.

Ability to interpret and apply the taxing and benefit payment provisions of the Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation law.

Ability to follow a basic audit trail though the use of an employer's books and records, including basic computerized accounting systems.

Ability to analyze operations and policies and to prepare effective recommendations for improvement.

Ability to deal diplomatically with clients, claimants, employers, and the public.

Ability to prepare comprehensive reports of investigations and audits.

Ability to testify at hearings and in court.

Ability to understand and follow complex oral and written instructions, laws, and regulations.

Ability to conduct surveillance under varying climatic conditions.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: One year of experience in the administrative review and evaluation of Pennsylvania unemployment compensation, employer tax operations, and job service programs, including or supplemented by one year of investigative public contact experience in developing and presenting evidence