OPS INVESTIGATION SPECIALIST II - 65650522

Requisition No: 830377 

Agency: Elder Affairs

Working Title: OPS INVESTIGATION SPECIALIST II - 65650522

 Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 65650522 

Salary:  $27.00 HOURLY 

Posting Closing Date: 06/26/2024 

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DEPARTMENT OF ELDER AFFAIRS

OFFICE OF PUBLIC AND PROFESSIONAL GUARDIANS

*****OPEN COMPETITIVE*****

ATTENTION CANDIDATES

• All fields in the candidate profile must be completed. 
• Work history, hours worked, and formal education fields must be filled out to determine qualifications for this position. Putting "see resume" does not substitute for completing all sections of the candidate profile. 
• Selection of candidate will be based on a review of their overall scores, KSAs, primary and supplemental applications, as well as completion of any required work samples, willingness questionnaires, and interview responses, as applicable.  
• References and file reviews from previous employment may be verified to determine suitability. 
• Resumes and other documentation can be attached to provide additional information. 
• The successful candidate must be able to pass a Level II Background screening. 
• All previous periods of employment must be listed with the address of the employer, supervisor’s name and contact phone number. If there is more than a one-month gap in the employment history that period must be included in its own paragraph block within the employment history section.

PAPER APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED BY THE AGENCY. APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED THROUGH THE PEOPLE FIRST SYSTEM.

Mission Statement: To promote the well-being, safety, and independence of Florida’s elders, their families, and caregivers.

Vision Statement: For all Floridians to live well and age well.

We are seeking an enthusiastic individual with a desire to share our Agency’s mission to promote the well-being, safety, and independence of Florida's seniors, their families, and caregivers, and the vision for all Floridians to live well and age well.  If you have good judgment, a desire to enrich the lives of others, and share our mission and vision, please consider joining our team.

Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive employee benefits including:

• Participation in state group insurance (must meet eligibility requirements*).  For more details consult with People First at 877-562-7287 or go to:  https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/health/eligibility_and_enrollment/ops_employees
• Participation in the Florida Deferred Compensation Plan (457b).  (For additional details and online enrollment visit MyFloridaDeferredComp.com)
• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (tax deferred Retirement Savings Plan).  (For more information, please click Social Security Alternative Plan (aigrs.com) and read OPS Social Security Alternative Plan)
• Flexible Spending Accounts

*Seasonal and part-time OPS employees (less than 30 hours average per week) refer to the links above for detailed eligibility requirements.

Position Summary: The Office of Public and Professional Guardians (OPPG) is responsible for oversight and regulation of professional guardians statewide, including investigating and when necessary, disciplining guardians in violation of law. 

The OPPG is seeking an experienced investigative specialist, passionate about protecting Florida’s seniors being served by guardians. This is an administrative investigative position that will work with other investigators and attorneys to bring investigations through successful litigation or settlement. These investigations include allegations of violations of Chapter 744, Florida Statutes, and administrative rules applicable to professional guardians. The successful candidate needs to be an individual who is a self-starter and able to conclude investigations in a timely manner with minimal supervision. The successful candidate will review complaints; interview complainants, guardians, wards, and witnesses; obtain evidence; including court filings; provide an analysis of the law as applied to the facts in a final investigative report; and may have to testify in court concerning investigative findings. The ideal candidate will be detail oriented, and have strong time management and organizational skills, along with the ability to prioritize assignments. The successful candidate should be able to work independently with minimal supervision and should demonstrate a strong desire to protect seniors and resolve complaints.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university; OR
• Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university and two (2) years of investigative or law enforcement experience; OR
• High School Diploma or equivalent and four (4) years of investigative or law enforcement experience.
• Investigative experience is defined as independent investigative experience which includes interviewing witnesses collecting and analyzing data and evidence; writing and summarizing investigative findings; and testifying in court and administrative hearings.
• This position requires a valid driver’s license, satisfactory completion of a level 2 background screening and participation in direct deposit.

Preference will be given to applicants with:

• Former law enforcement (investigator or detective) experience.
• Former inspector general experience.
• Former auditor experience.

The Work You Will Do:  This position conducts investigations of professional guardians relating to violations of Chapter 744, Florida Statutes and administrative rules governed by the Department, including but not limited to the following duties:

• Review complaints for legal sufficiency. 
• Identify applicable portions of Florida Statute and administrative rule to allegations made in complaints.
• Provide an investigative plan within five business days of receipt of the complaint detailing the issues to be investigated, witnesses to be interviewed, evidence to be collected and/or reviewed, and an estimated timeline for the investigation.
• Investigate complaints in a timely manner.
• Submit requests for, and gather records, court filings, photographs, video recordings, and/or other relevant materials.
• Conduct sworn, recorded Interviews of the complainant, guardian, ward (when possible), and witnesses.
• Evaluate all evidence obtained, along with witness interviews, to formulate defensible investigative conclusions regarding the alleged violations of statute and/or administrative rule.
• Draft clear, concise, and detailed reports of investigations.
• Draft any additional findings of violations of law and/or administrative rule made during an investigation that were not part of the allegations included in the initial complaint and include them in the Investigative Report.
• Complete authorizations to travel, expense vouchers, and other travel-related documents in a timely fashion.
• Assist attorneys in the prosecution of cases.
• Testify at administrative hearings, depositions, trials, or other official proceedings that result from the investigation.
• From time to time, assist other investigators by accepting complaints ordinarily assigned to other investigators whose caseloads have increased significantly or who are otherwise unavailable.
• Perform other assigned tasks and duties as required.   

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office software.
• Knowledge of investigative techniques.
• Knowledge of the laws, administrative rules, and practices relating to guardianship in Florida.
• Ability to plan, organize and prioritize work assignments.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to effectively manage time.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Ability to conduct fact-finding interviews and take statements.
• Ability to collect and analyze evidence.
• Ability to read, interpret and apply statutes and administrative rules to specific fact scenarios.
• Ability to write accurate and detailed investigative findings/reports.
• Ability to conduct thorough investigations.
• Ability to organize data into logical format for presentation in reports.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of information received during an investigation.
• Ability to travel, including overnight travel. Incumbents in this job class are required to operate a personal vehicle within the assigned regional area (All applicable State and local driving laws and insurance regulations must be strictly adhered to in the operation of the private vehicle while performing State business).
• Skilled with detail to attention and critical thinking.
• Skilled with detail to attention and critical thinking.
• Skilled with strong oral and written communication.

Where You Will Work:

This position’s office location is in Tallahassee, FL.

Main Counties Covered by Office:

Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Washington, Bay, Jackson, Calhoun, Gulf, Gadsden, Liberty, Franklin, Leon, Wakulla, Jefferson, Madison, Taylor, Hamilton, Suwannee, Lafayette, Dixie, Columbia, Gilchrist, Levy, Union, Alachua, Bradford, Nassau, Duval, Clay, St. Johns, Flagler, and Putnam.

This position requires travel and occasional overnight travel.

Background Checks:

Successful completion of a Level 2 Criminal History Background Check is required for all applicants selected for this position.

Applicant Information:

Applicants should apply on-line via the People First Website https://peoplefirst.myflorida.com by 11:59 p.m. (EST) on the closing date of the position vacancy advertisement but are strongly encouraged to apply by 6:00 p.m. on the closing date to avoid any system down times or any other complications that may arise.

If you have problems applying on-line, call the People First Service Center at 1-877-562-7287. Paper applications will not be accepted by the agency.

The Department of Elder Affairs is an "older worker-friendly" employer and also lists vacancies on the Silver Edition website, found at http://silver.employflorida.com, that connects persons age 50 and older with other businesses/volunteer organizations/employers who specify they are "older worker-friendly."

The Department of Elder Affairs is an E-Verify employer and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each New Employee’s I-9 Form to confirm work eligibility.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.