12-16-88 F

This is the single class in the Unemployment Claims Investigation series. Positions in this class serve as deputized representatives of the agency head for investigating unemployment insurance claims to determine overpayment of unemployment benefits, potential fraudulent claims for benefits and/or disqualification of benefit claims.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of moderate difficulty which involves analyzing agency and employer records to determine if improper payments of unemployment benefits have occurred and/or if fraudulent claims for benefits have been made; and determining the proper jurisdiction for prosecution of benefit claim fraud. Interviews benefit claimants and employers and obtains statements which may be used to substantiate or disprove benefit overpayments or fraud; analyzes obtained evidence of alleged criminal fraud; prepares cases and discusses grounds for prosecution with Commonwealth’s attorneys; obtains criminal warrants; subpoenas witnesses; and presents evidence and testifies as a witness in general district courts. Discusses the repayment process with overpaid benefit claimants; obtains repayment agreements; and collects overpayments. Discusses allegations by benefit claimants that their benefit checks were unlawfully forged and cashed; explains the replacement process and takes appropriate action to replace benefit checks when allegations have been substantiated.

Supervision Given: Supervision is typically not a factor.

Supervision Received: Receives general supervision from an Unemployment Compensation Supervisor when located in the centralized administrative complex or from an Unemployment Compensation Regional Director when located in a field unemployment compensation office.

Scope: Work affects compliance to unemployment insurance laws by claimants for unemployment benefits and the integrity of the statewide unemployment insurance program.

Impact of Actions: Decisions and actions could moderately impact the agency in terms of time, money, services and public goodwill. Effective work performance ensures that unemployment insurance laws are enforced and that the integrity of the statewide unemployment insurance program is maintained.

Personal Contacts: Frequent external contact with benefit claimants, employers, the general public, Commonwealth’s attorneys and officers of general district courts to encourage and enforce compliance with unemployment compensation laws; to provide assistance to overpaid claimants to repay their overpayments; to assist claimants with substantiated forged benefit checks to receive replacement benefits; and to prosecute claimants who are alleged to have committed claims fraud.

Knowledge: Working knowledge of investigative and interviewing techniques, of unemployment compensation laws, and rules of court procedure.

Skills: No skills have been identified for this class.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; to perform investigations for compliance with applicable laws; and to give court testimony and present evidence.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

Licenses or Certification: None.

Education or Training: Graduation from an accredited college or university with course work in business, a social science, or a related field.

Level and Type of Experience: Experience involving investigative activities.

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge and abilities may substitute for this education and experience.

This class was revised in December 1988 as a result of the statewide Classification Review/Specification Update Program.