INVESTIGATION SPECIALIST I (OPBI) - 60066532

Requisition No: 884513 

Agency: Children and Families

Working Title: INVESTIGATION SPECIALIST I (OPBI) - 60066532

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 60066532 

Salary:  $41,639.37, in accordance with DCF salary policy 

Posting Closing Date: 10/12/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

This is an Internal Agency opportunity.

THIS IS A STATEWIDE VACANCY – POSITION LOCATION WILL BE DETERMINED BY SELECTED CANDIDATE LOCATION

The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) is the state of Florida’s social services agency. The agency oversees services for child safety, fostering, adoption, domestic violence, adult protective services, refugees, homelessness, mental health, substance abuse, childcare providers, human trafficking, and government assistance. The agency’s mission is to work in partnership with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and resiliency.

Within DCF, the Economic Self Sufficiency (ESS) Program helps to promote strong and economically self-sufficient communities by determining eligibility for food, cash and medical assistance for individuals and families on the road to economic recovery.

Under the ESS Program, the Office of Public Benefits Integrity (OPBI) is responsible for investigating government assistance fraud or misuse regarding the SNAP (Food Assistance), D-SNAP (Disaster Food Assistance), TANF (Cash Assistance), and Medicaid programs by individuals or merchants.

TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION RESPONSES TO THE QUALIFYING QUESTIONS ARE REQUIRED AND MUST BE VERIFIABLE BASED ON YOUR SUBMITTED APPLICATION.

*The requested information must be disclosed on the State of Florida Candidate Profile. It is not acceptable to write "see resume" on the Candidate Profile (application). *

Applicants must meet the minimum requirements to be hired for this position.

MULTIPLE POSITIONS MAY BE FILLED FROM THIS ADVERTISEMENT

INVESTIGATION SPECIALIST I – Multiple Positions – ESS OPBI Benefit Investigation

THIS IS NOT A TELEWORKING POSITION

The incumbent is a member of the DCF D-SNAP Disaster Response team and, in that capacity, may be required on short notice to perform duties and travel in support of disaster relief. During such events, incumbent may be required to work more than 8 hours per day. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be a current DCF ESS employee with a minimum of one year (12 months) as an Economic Self Sufficiency Specialist I or higher.
• Knowledge of the DCF eligibility processes and procedures for TANF, SNAP, and Medicaid programs and expertise in FLORIDA and other DCF systems.
• A copy of your valid state-issued Driver's License will be requested.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
This is a professional position responsible for conducting pre-eligibility and eligibility investigations for government assistance applicants/recipients as part of the Public Benefits Investigations Program. The person occupying this position works to ensure the Public Benefits Integrity Program is administered in conformity with federal, state and regional policies. Assigned duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Reviews and analyzes government assistance cases (Cash, Food Assistance and Medicaid Assistance) suspected of containing or involving fraudulent information or activity which is identified using error prone profile. Reports findings and recommendations to Eligibility staff within 10 working days after the case is referred to the Benefits Investigations Unit so staff may correctly determine eligibility of the individuals requesting government assistance.
• Interviews clients or collateral contacts in order to resolve inconsistent eligibility factors.
• Prepares case for referral to Administrative Disqualification Hearing (ADH) and/or referrals to appropriate sources.
• Enters data information into the BI System of Record. 
• Attends and participates in supervisory conferences, meetings, trainings, work groups and quality initiatives, as appropriate.
• Completes other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of government assistance program objectives and policies; problem-solving techniques; training principles and practices; goal setting techniques; arithmetic.
• Skill in operating a personal computer.
• Ability to conduct fact-finding interviews; accurately prepare and maintain records and reports; work with a diverse range of people; adapt to change; deal calmly and effectively in high stress situations; compose documents or correspondence involving technical information; complex arithmetic operations.
• Interpret and apply regulatory materials; prioritize and meet deadlines; establish and maintain effective working relationships; communicate effectively orally; apply ethical business practices.

Important Application Process Information: 

TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION RESPONSES TO THE QUALIFYING QUESTIONS ARE REQUIRED AND MUST BE VERIFIABLE BASED ON YOUR SUBMITTED APPLICATION or RESUME. 

**It is unacceptable to use the statement “See Resume” in place of entering work history information. ** 

Candidate Profile (application) must be completed in its entirety. 

• Include supervisor names and phone numbers for all periods of employment. 

• All previous DCF positions must be listed separately. Include the total years in each position along with all required duties.  
• Account for and explain any gaps in employment so that the hiring process is not delayed. 
• Experience, education, training, knowledge, skills and/or abilities as well as responses to pre-qualifying questions must be verifiable to meet the minimum qualifications.

The position will perform all job tasks in accordance with laws, rules, regulations, policies, and requirements applicable to state and federal laws or procedures.

DCF EMPLOYMENT DISCLOSURES

The Department of Children and Families is a tobacco-free environment.

US CITIZEN REQUIREMENT Only US citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers will be hired.

SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM REGISTRATION All selected male candidates born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion into an authorized position unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS).  Verification of Selective Service registration will be conducted prior to hire.  For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov.

RETIREE NOTICE If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be suspended or voided, and you required to repay all benefits received depending upon the date of your retirement.

BACKGROUND SCREENING REQUIREMENT:  It is the policy of the Florida Department of Children and Families that any candidate being considered for employment must successfully complete a State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment, and also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S., and, if applicable, Chapter 408, F.S.  Employment may be terminated based on the background investigation results if the candidate begins employment before the background results are received, reviewed for any disqualifying offenses, and approved by the Department. Background investigations shall include, but not be limited to, fingerprinting for state and national criminal records check through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and may include local criminal history checks through local law enforcement agencies.  Employees will be retained in state and national RAP Back program, providing real-time arrest hit notifications.

BENEFIT RECOVERY SCREENING Candidates applying to positions in the Economic Self Sufficiency Program will have a Benefit Recovery check completed to validate current or former government assistance case information before completing the hiring process.

If you experience problems applying online, please call the People First Service Center at (877) 562-7287.

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.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.