UNemployment Insurance investigator

 

basic purpose:

 

Positions in this job family are assigned responsibilities involving professional work in investigating, collecting, auditing and enforcement of the state Unemployment Insurance program mandated by the U.S. Department of Labor in accordance with state law, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

 

Typical functions:

 

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

·        Performs detailed audits of individuals, businesses, corporations, and local, state and federal agency records to verify wage, employment records, receipt of worker’s compensation benefits, self-employment, enrollment in an educational institution, and work search efforts; performs complex calculations to convert employee weekly payroll data to the definition of a week under Oklahoma law.

·        Investigates and analyzes evidence thoroughly; audits employer, school, or government agency records on assigned cases and prepares detailed investigative reports.

·        Interviews and/or interrogates claimants; interviews employers, agency staff, state and federal agency representatives and other responsible persons to determine violation(s) of the Oklahoma Employment Security (OESC) Act.

·        Conducts and participates in Unemployment Insurance programs to meet federal and state requirements; develops guidelines for completing individual audits or investigations; advises employers and claimants on questions concerning statues, regulations, policies and procedures.

·        Audits employers’ financial records, tax returns and other records/documents; interprets and applies OESC Act to determine hidden wages, unreported employees or other tax discrepancies; prepares schedule of wages paid, field reports, and other records/documents; makes adjustments to reflect correct wages paid; determine additional tax liability; computes and collects additional Unemployment Insurance taxes.

·        Conducts field investigations to locate employers; determines tax liability under the Employment Security Act, including relationships among employers, employees and independent contractors; audits claim records; prepares investigative reports and takes appropriate action.

·        Imposes administrative penalties and recommends the filing of criminal charges and/or tax liens in compliance with Oklahoma state statutes and federal law; compiles necessary case evidence for presentation to the Appellate Division; prepares cases for presentation to District Court or the Assessment Board; issues administrative subpoenas; appears in court of proper jurisdiction to testify as an expert witness and may negotiate settlement to recover overpayments.

 

level descriptors:

 

This job family consists of four levels which are distinguished based on the complexity of work assignments, the expertise required to complete assigned tasks, and the responsibility assigned for providing leadership to others.

 

Level I:                        Code:  W16A                        Salary Band:  I

 

This is the basic level where employees are assigned responsibilities for performing routine work while in a training status to build skills in auditing employer accounts and conducting field investigations. Duties may also include the determination of relationships among employers, employees and independent contractors; auditing claimant records; preparing investigation reports and taking appropriate action.

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of basic Oklahoma Employment Security Act provisions and related rules; of accounting principles and theories; of financial statements and reports; of accounting ledgers and journals; of computer technology relating to accounting systems; and of the techniques of interviewing and investigation.  Ability is required to prepare basic reports; to review and analyze Unemployment Insurance information; to express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; to analyze and resolve complex situations, and to conduct several projects simultaneously.

 

 

 

Education and Experience requirement at this level consist of a bachelor’s degree; or an equivalent combination of education and experience in auditing, accounting, or Unemployment Insurance.

 

Level II:                        Code:  W16B                        Salary Band:  J

 

This is the career level of this job family where employees are assigned responsibility for performing highly diversified assignments at the full performance level.  This will include performing complex audits and investigations related to the enforcement of the Unemployment Insurance laws.  The work is performed with a high degree of technical and administrative freedom to plan, develop, and organize all phases of the work necessary for completion within broad program guidelines.  Other duties may include serving on various committees or panels and conducting seminars related to Unemployment Insurance.  May also be responsible for speaking at auditor meetings and other forums, training new employees, and serving as a liaison between the agency, employers, and their representatives.

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include those identified in Level I plus knowledge of the legal issues regarding the preparation of tax cases and benefits.  Ability is required to serve as an expert witness in administrative hearings and district or federal court.

 

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level I plus one year of professional level experience in Unemployment Insurance.

 

Level III:                        Code:  W16C                        Salary Band:  K

 

This is the specialist level where employees are routinely assigned responsibility for performing advanced level professional accounting, auditing and field investigation work involving the management of highly diversified assignment with a high degree of complexity.  Responsibilities include researching law, legal opinions, policies, regulations, legal texts, cases of precedent and engaging in the examination of potential witnesses.  This will include a high degree of independence in completing work assignments and making decisions.  Employees at this level may also be assigned to serve as team leaders in large audits or investigations, train and mentor those in Level I and Level II and represent the agency or section on various committees within the agency.

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include those identified in Level II plus demonstrated ability to work independently and make independent decisions; and to analyze and resolve highly detailed and complex accounting and financial problems. 

 

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level II plus one additional year of qualifying experience.

 

Level IV:                        Code:  W16D                        Salary Band:  L

 

This is the leadership level where employees are responsible for the work activities within an Unemployment Insurance investigation unit, project or program.  This includes responsibility for planning, organizing, reviewing and evaluating the work of an assigned staff as well as performing related supervisory and administrative functions.

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include those identified in Level III plus knowledge of supervisory principles and practices and the ability to supervise and direct the work of others.

 

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level III plus two additional years of qualifying experience.

 

special requirements:

 

Applicants must be willing and able to fulfill all job-related travel normally associated with this position.