DHS INVESTIGATIVE AGENT, G25 

BASIC PURPOSE:

Positions in this job family are assigned responsibilities involving criminal and administrative investigations related to crimes committed against the Oklahoma Department of Human Services and crimes committed in the course of its programs, including welfare fraud and employee violations of agency policy, regulations and applicable state and federal laws.

TYPICAL FUNCTIONS:

The functions within this job family will vary by level, but may include the following:

• Investigates violations of state and federal laws as a certified police officer; make arrests, participates in undercover operations and surveillance of persons or targeted locations or establishments where it is believed that the law is being violated.
• Gathers and analyzes information; gathers physical or documentary evidence or clues; interviews witnesses; interrogates suspects; analyzes business records; obtains signed statements and affidavits; prepares investigative reports and case records; presents findings in impartial and properly documented reports.
• Assists prosecutors in filing charges; appears and testifies as a witness in criminal and administrative court proceedings; drafts and executes legal documents for use in criminal or administrative investigations, subpoenas for evidence, search warrants, arrest warrants and affidavits.
• Serves on special assignments as required, including internal investigations and background checks of Department of Human Services staff.  Coordinates and participates in investigative activities with other law enforcement agencies.
• May participate as an instructor in providing law enforcement training at the Council for Law Enforcement Education and Training or other courses required for law enforcement officers and/or other Department of Human Services staff.
• Studies professional materials relating to new investigative procedures and techniques; studies legal materials related to court rulings and state and federal laws; attends training sessions to acquire new skills.
• Conducts investigations of welfare fraud and violations of Medicaid programs.
• Visits contractors and audits various types of contracts to determine compliance with laws.

LEVEL DESCRIPTORS:

The Agent (DHS) Job family consists of five levels which are distinguished based on the level of complexity of assigned tasks, and responsibilities assigned for the leadership of others.

Level I                                                    Code:  G25A                                         Salary Band:  I

This is the basic level of this job family where employees are assigned responsibilities as an agent involving beginning level work where employees perform routine audits and investigations pertaining to welfare fraud investigations.  Incumbents will receive training to conduct investigations of criminal violations of Oklahoma state laws and administrative violations of the Department of Human Services rules and regulations.  Incumbents shall complete the CLEET Basic Law Enforcement Academy as prescribed by law and may be required to complete the agency’s basic family support academy.  An agent’s duties at this level are preformed under close supervision to build skills in conducting investigations, collecting and preserving evidence, interviewing witnesses, interrogating witnesses; appear and testify, if subpoenaed, as a witness in court trials; and other related activities.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of the principles and techniques of investigation; of Oklahoma criminal law, federal law and the Department of Human Services rules and regulations; of rules pertaining to search and seizure, arrest and rules of evidence; of recent court decisions affecting law enforcement; of the Administrative Procedures Act; of basic math, English, grammar and sentence structure; of accounting and business records; and the operation of computers and computer software.  Ability is required to conduct several investigations simultaneously; to maintain undercover identity while preserving the integrity of the investigation; to analyze, interpret and evaluate information obtained; to recognize collect and preserve physical evidence; to subdue persons and protect oneself, associates and others; to organize and present facts clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; to demonstrate proficient use of a firearm; to cope with stressful and/or potentially dangerous situations; to handle confidential work with tact and discretion; and to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of (3) three years of professional experience in criminal investigative work or (3) three years of professional social work experience.

Level II                                                   Code:  G25B                                         Salary Band:  J

This is the career level of the job family where employees are assigned responsibilities at the full performance level involving basic criminal investigative duties for the Department of Human Services.  This includes carrying a caseload of complex and difficult investigations and completing all required activities to investigate violations of state and federal laws, participate in undercover and/or surveillance operations, gather and analyze evidence, interview witnesses and interrogate suspects.  Coordinates fraud investigation surveillance activities with other state and federal agencies, assists out-of-state agencies in investigations; may conduct single suspect investigations.  In addition, employees at this level review and analyze personnel actions and procedures for compliance with the Oklahoma Personnel Act, Merit Rules for Employment and internal agency policy and regulations.  Employees will also investigate violations of Medicaid programs.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include those in level I plus knowledge of the laws and regulations relating to investigating records, reports and other documents, and to interviews and interrogations of witnesses, suspects, and informants; and of financial investigations.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of those identified in level I plus (2) years of professional experience in criminal investigative work.

Level III                                                  Code:  G25C                                         Salary Band:  K

This is the specialist level of this job family where employees are assigned responsibilities as a senior agent involving advanced level criminal investigative work including coordinating and participating in major investigations and specialized criminal investigations, acting as a lead agent, serving as a field training agent, coordinating multi-jurisdictional task force investigations, providing specialized assistance such as firearms instruction and electronic surveillance, or similar duties.  Employees at this level receive minimal supervision.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities include those identified in Level II plus knowledge of the Department of Human Services policies, procedures, and planning as it relates to agency direction and scope; and of training principles.

Education and Experience requirements consist of those identified in Level II plus two years of professional experience in criminal investigative work.

Level IV                                                 Code:  G25D                                         Salary Band:  M

This is the assistant special agent-in-charge of an individual criminal investigative section within the OKDHS Office of Inspector General or the Child Support Enforcement Division administration.  In this role incumbents will direct the activities of an operational or administrative unit within a criminal investigative section with multi-county or statewide responsibilities, as well as establish and maintain close working relationships with law enforcement officials, OKDHS state, area and county office staffs within their districts.  Incumbents will provide direct supervision to lower level investigative and support staff, including performing advanced reviews and investigations oversight.  Incumbents review and assign investigations of alleged criminal activities in connection with violations of program policy, procedures, or law to section staff.  Incumbents may conduct staff meetings to discuss results of investigations; direct compilation of information and approve investigative reports.  This includes planning and organizing any program or unit functions and activities.  Assemble case and investigative findings and compile all information into reports to be made to appropriate division personnel for action.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include those identified in Level III plus knowledge of the principles and practices of effective supervision.  Ability is required to plan, organize, review, analyze, and recommend assignment of cases; and conduct employee performance evaluations.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level III plus two years of professional experience in criminal investigative work.

Level V                                                  Code:  G25E                                          Salary Band:  N

This is the special agent-in-charge of an individual criminal investigative section within the OKDHS Office of the Inspector General or the Child Support Enforcement Division administration.  In this role incumbents will direct the activities of a criminal investigative section with multi-county or statewide responsibilities, as well as establish and maintain close working relationships with law enforcement officials, OKDHS state, area and county office staffs within their districts.  Incumbents will provide direct supervision to lower level investigative and support staff, including performing advanced reviews and investigative oversight.  Incumbents review and assign investigations of alleged criminal activities in connection with violations of program policy, procedure, or law to section staff.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include those identified in Level IV plus the ability to plan, organize and conduct, or direct complex investigations; and to develop or revise agency policies and procedures.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level IV plus two years of professional experience in criminal investigative work.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have a valid driver’s license at the time of appointment.

Incumbents for this position will be required to: Meet the qualifications for permanent appointment as Police or Peace Officers as provided for in Title 70, Section 3311 O.S. 2001; possess the ability and willingness to carry a firearm and use deadly force as required; have and maintain physical and mental stamina to perform the work; be willing to accept the physical discomforts and/or dangers inherent in the work, be willing to be on call twenty-four (24) hours a day seven (7) days a week; be willing to work varied shifts and work days, including holidays; pass a rigid character and background investigation; pass a psychological evaluation as required by state statutes; be willing to travel frequently and be away from home for extended periods of time; be willing to transfer where needed and to accept assignment anywhere in the state.

Latest revision date:  12-07-11