DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: An employee in this class manages the Special Investigations Unit of the County's Department of Social Services.  The work is performed under the general supervision of the Commissioner of Social Services or by a designated agency Director.  The employee is allowed wide leeway for the exercise of independent judgment in work details.  Supervision is exercised over all lower level unit employees.  Does related work as required.
FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:  Thorough knowledge of laws, rules, regulations and agency policies pertaining to the assistance programs; thorough knowledge of modern investigation techniques; ability to make sound decisions based on reviewing all the facts of complex cases; ability to supervise the work of others; ability to read, understand, interpret and apply complex written material such as laws, rules, regulations and contracts; ability to prepare written reports; ability to deal effectively with other departmental managers and supervisors; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all law enforcement agencies.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  Graduation from high school and either:
A.    Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with a Bachelor’s or higher level Degree in Criminal Justice, Human Services, Public Administration or a related field and three (3) years of full-time paid, or its part-time equivalent work experience in field investigation* and two (2) years of full-time paid, or its part-time equivalent work experience in a supervisory position; OR
B.     Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with an Associate’s or higher level Degree in Criminal Justice, Human Services, Public Administration or a related field and five (5) years of full-time paid, or its part-time equivalent work experience in field investigation* and three (3) years of full-time paid, or its part-time equivalent work experience in a supervisory position; OR
C.    Seven (7) years of full-time paid, or its part-time equivalent work experience in field investigation* and four (4) years of full-time paid, or its part-time equivalent work experience in a supervisory position; OR
D.    An equivalent combination of experience and training as stated in A, B and C above.

*For purposes of qualifying for appointment as a Social Services Investigator, field investigative experience is defined as investigative experience including experience with a law enforcement agency, credit bureau, bank, insurance company, internal revenue service, social security office or retail audit office in which the candidate was involved in conducting investigations beyond the primary source (i.e.: client).  Experience with a law enforcement agency is interpreted to include experience with military police, sheriff’s department, state or local police, FBI. or private investigative experience with a detective or security agency.
IF COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY EDUCATION IS INDICATED; TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED AND SHOULD BE ATTACHED TO ALL APPLICATIONS RECEIVED.  A CANDIDATE LACKING THE REQUIRED TRANSCRIPTS WILL RECEIVE A CONDITIONAL APPROVAL PENDING THE RECEIPT OF TRANSCRIPTS.
Special Requirement: Possession of an appropriate New York State Motor Vehicle Operator’s license at the time of appointment.
Special Requirement for appointment to Ulster County positions: In accordance with Ulster County Legislative Local Law Number 14 of 2007 or by other State and Federal Statutes, candidates for employment to all Ulster County positions must obtain clearance for appointment from the Department of Criminal Justice System or other mandated Federal and State regulatory authority based upon fingerprinting and a criminal history background check. This position will require a criminal background check and a candidate will be required to complete and sign a Criminal Background Investigation Release Form.  Upon a conditional employment offer, a candidate will be required to be fingerprinted accordingly.
ULSTER COUNTY IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, gender, creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, disabled veteran status, or status as a member of any other protected group or activity.