Performs journey-level general or criminal investigative, administrative, litigation support duties involving planning, fact-finding, and reporting of fraudulent or misconduct activities in programs administered by state agencies and activities of moderate complexity within a public defender field office; performs related work as required. The work examples and competencies listed below are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to be the primary basis for position classification decisions.

Conducts and assists other investigators in the investigation of potential fraud, misconduct, and/or benefit payment error situations to obtain the facts and evidence required to obtain recoupment of overpayments or to determine if fraud or misconduct has occurred requiring further administrative action.

Analyzes complaints, allegations, benefit records from other states, and audit referrals to determine the scope, timing, and direction of an investigation by identifying the issues involved and the types of evidence needed to comply with state and federal rules of evidence.

Gathers facts through fact-finding interviews, subpoena of records, observation, surveillance of individuals or locations, informant leads, and analysis of agency records to document and verify the accuracy and authenticity of evidence for use in administrative hearings and/or criminal trials.

Works in conjunction with agency staff, Division of Criminal Investigation, other state departments, local law enforcement agencies, U.S. Postal Authorities, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Iowa and U.S. Attorney General staff to conduct cooperative investigations.

Assists attorneys in gathering and organizing evidence and testimony in preparation for depositions and trials.

Serves subpoenas; interviews potential witnesses; locates persons of interest; and identifies sources of expert consultation in preparation for trial.

Testifies at administrative, district court, and grand jury hearings to present facts and evidence bearing on cases investigated.
Serves as trial assistant and defense witness liaison during trials, assisting attorney to marshal evidence and witnesses, communicates with clients and family members, and aids in jury selection decisions.

Attends staffings, hearings, meetings, and related activities on behalf of juvenile court clients.
Conducts placement visits for guardian ad litem clients and related activities; conducts interviews with service providers for guardian ad litem clients and related activities.
Prepares detailed records and reports on the status and disposition of cases of overpayment, misconduct and fraud statistics on recoupment of funds, prosecutions, pending cases and other disposition of cases.

Conducts benefit payment cross-match audits involving Iowa benefits and those administered by neighboring states to determine if overpayment or fraud has occurred and to make recommendations for prosecution and follow-up of disputed allegations.
Assists Public Defender Chief Investigator in training activities and supports investigator intern program.

Acts in the capacity of a team leader occasionally to coordinate the activities of other Investigators assigned to a case.

This is a non-merit position with the Iowa Department of Inspections & Appeals Office of the State Public Defender.

Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Enterprise.

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in law enforcement, corrections, criminology, police science, accounting, finance, or law, and experience equal to one year of full-time work as an investigator requiring knowledge in law enforcement, corrections, or criminal investigation.
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in law enforcement, corrections, criminology, police science, accounting, finance, or law, and experience equal to one year of full-time work in the administration of a program involving application of agency unemployment insurance or public assistance benefit programs, correctional rules and regulations, and/or court or administrative hearings processes.
• A total of five years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in number one or two), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in law enforcement, corrections, criminology, police science, accounting, finance, or law equals one year of full-time experience.
• Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes twelve months of full-time work as an Investigator 1 or twenty-four months of full-time work as a Warehouse and Grain Dealer Examiner.

Some positions in this class may require an applicant to have the ability to pass a background investigation.

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