Social Services Lead Investigator - Child Support (Hybrid)

Introduction

\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAre you a self-starter?� Do you want to make a difference while participating in a dynamic and reciprocal human services environment?� If so, please read on to learn more about this wonderful agency promotional opportunity!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe�State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services (DSS) – is currently recruiting qualified, talented and current DSS employees for a�Social Service Investigator – Child Support�opportunity within our Child Support Division.� This position is based at our New Haven Resource Office with additional anticipated vacancies in our regional offices located in Bridgeport, Danbury, Hartford, Manchester, Middletown, New Britain, Norwich, Stamford, Torrington, Waterbury, Willimantic (Windham), CT.\r\nIf you’re looking for a role that blends investigative work, legal processes, and meaningful public service, this position offers a unique opportunity to make a direct impact on the well-being of children and families. As a Social Service Investigator in Child Support, you’ll play a central role in establishing and enforcing financial and medical support obligations, ensuring that parents meet their responsibilities and that families receive the resources they need.\r\nIn this role, you will conduct detailed investigations to locate noncustodial and alleged parents, establish paternity through voluntary acknowledgment or legal proceedings, and assess financial resources including income, real estate, and personal assets. You’ll work directly with custodial and noncustodial parents, attorneys, employers, and various public and private agencies to gather critical information, negotiate support agreements, and facilitate compliance with court-ordered obligations.\r\nThis position also involves preparing legal documents, participating in court proceedings, testifying on cases, and taking enforcement actions when necessary. From performing title searches and filing liens to reviewing and modifying support orders, your work will require strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to navigate complex legal and financial systems.\r\nIdeal candidates are effective communicators who can explain policies and procedures clearly, manage sensitive situations professionally, and balance investigative responsibilities with a commitment to fairness and public service.\r\nPosition Highlights:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n This position is only open to current Department of Social Services employees.� Please see the selection plan for more details.\r\n Full-time | 1st Shift | Hybrid\r\n Monday – Friday | 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWhat we can offer you:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n View our State Employee Benefits Overview page!\r\n Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities.\r\n A healthy�work-life balance to all employees!\r\n The State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service.� Click here for more information.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nDepartment Overview:\r\nThe Department of Social Services (DSS) has a mission that we, along with our partners, provide person-centered programs and services to enhance the well-being of individuals, families and communities.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Selection Plan

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current State of CT employee, who has worked for the state for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:�\r\nCheck out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library for additional support throughout the recruitment process.�\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBEFORE YOU APPLY:�\r\n\r\n\r\n Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. �\r\n Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below. \r\n Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.�\r\n Preferred Shift/Location:�Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.�\r\n Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. �Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.�\r\n Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.�\r\n Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAFTER YOU APPLY:�\r\n\r\n\r\n Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates—such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your�Personal Status Board�regularly.�For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information.”\r\n Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).���\r\n Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!�\r\n Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.��\r\n The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.��\r\n Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics. \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nQUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:�\r\nDue to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Rocky Young at Rocky.Young@ct.gov\r\n

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Social Services this class is accountable for acting as a working supervisor and policy specialist for a unit of Social Services Investigators engaged in performing investigations relevant to the enforcement of child support obligations.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

\r\n\r\n Plans unit workflow and determines priorities;\r\n Schedules, assigns, oversees and reviews work;\r\n Establishes and maintains unit procedures;\r\n Provides staff training and assistance including monitoring and assessing current and projected needs;\r\n Conducts or assists in conducting performance evaluations;\r\n Acts as liaison with operating units, cooperating agencies and outside officials such as third party providers, social services agencies, attorneys regarding unit policies and procedures;\r\n Makes recommendations on policies or standards;\r\n Prepares reports and correspondence;\r\n Acts as liaison with Social Services Investigations Supervisor concerning unit training needs, practical program implementation problems and effectiveness of unit workflow procedures;\r\n Acts as unit policy specialist in difficult, unusual and/or complex case resolution;\r\n Processes complex cases;\r\n Testifies in court on cases involving support or claims for reimbursement and determines appropriate actions to enforce compliance with court orders;\r\n May be assigned to represent Commissioner in cases requiring a high degree of tact and diplomacy;\r\n Performs related duties as required.\r\n\r\n\r\n

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

\r\n Considerable knowledge of\r\n \r\n and ability to interpret and apply relevant agency policies and procedures;\r\n and ability to interpret and apply relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;\r\n public assistance programs concerning children and the financial obligations related to these programs;\r\n investigatory methods and techniques;\r\n economic, social and health problems affecting family security;\r\n property ownership, personal finances, paternity and child support issues;\r\n \r\n \r\n Knowledge of court procedures, legal terminology and related legal instruments;\r\n Considerable skill in conducting investigations;\r\n Skills\r\n \r\n interpersonal skills;\r\n oral and written communication skills;\r\n problem solving skills;\r\n \r\n \r\n Considerable ability to\r\n \r\n understand and interpret financial and legal documents;\r\n negotiate settlements with legally liable party;\r\n \r\n \r\n Ability to utilize computer software and systems;\r\n Supervisory ability.\r\n\r\n

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Six (6) years of experience in the investigation of real and personal assets related to child support obligations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been in performing child support investigations.\r\n\r\n\r\nNOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Social Services Investigator (Child Support).\r\n

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

\r\n College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.\r\n A Master's degree in a closely related area may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.\r\n For state employees one (1) year of experience as a Social Services Investigator (Child Support) may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.\r\n\r\n

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

\r\n\r\n Experience applying principles and practices of the child support enforcement program.\r\n Experience using the Connecticut Child Support Enforcement System (CCSES).\r\n Experience applying relevant state and federal child support statutes, regulations, and policy.\r\n Experience applying Federal Child Support Program performance measures and incentive requirements.\r\n Experience analyzing and recommending solutions to complex child support problems.\r\n Experience establishing and maintaining productive relationships with child support partner agencies.\r\n Experience researching, gathering detailed data, and drafting complex correspondence and reports.\r\n Experience listening and responding to customer complaints via phone/email contact.\r\n Experience using Microsoft 365 programs such as Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel, and Teams.\r\n\r\n\r\n

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER\r\nThe State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.\r\n

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes.� As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.\r\n