FRAUD INVESTIGATIONS AGENT

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) is seeking an organized, professional, and results oriented individual to serve as a Fraud Investigations Agent. Responsibilities include performing highly complex investigations to assess the propriety of unemployment benefit payments, conducting intensive investigatory interviews, preparing decisions which set forth provisions of the state and/or federal law violated and the application of penalties, and reviewing appealed decisions. This position provides a great opportunity for someone who has a strong knowledge of unemployment insurance (UI) benefit payments based upon the criteria contained in laws and policies of the State of Illinois and the Department of Labor (DOL) and is dedicated to ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations. The ideal candidate for this position will have experience performing audits on unemployment insurance benefit claims and explaining and interpreting unemployment insurance (UI) laws, rules, and regulations. IDES offers a competitive compensation plan, excellent benefits, and a pension program. We invite you to join our innovative team to help make a positive difference in the lives of Illinois employers and job seekers.

Essential Functions

• Under direction, serves as a Fraud Investigations Agent for the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES)
• Performs audits on unemployment insurance benefit claims with potential fraud overpayments based on reports generated from the Department’s computerized systems, including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite, Illinois Benefit Information System (IBIS) and the Illinois Benefit Payment Control (BPC) System, or as directed
• Prepares for decisions by reviewing the file for completeness of supportive documentation, including but not limited to payroll records, certification, depositions, record of proper notice to all parties and handwriting exemplars
• Prepares decisions stating the issue or issues involved, statement of relevant facts, summarization of material evidence and testimony, resulting in a conclusion and a decision which set forth provisions of the state and/or federal law violated, and the application of penalties as prescribed in the fraud provisions
• At the conclusion of the investigation, explains the issues to all interested parties, including but not limited to claimants, employers, government agencies and the general public, in writing
• Obtains and coordinates utilization of evidence with other Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) staff and/or state and/or federal government agencies
• Maintains systems to track and monitor appeals of Benefit Payment Control (BPC) decisions and investigative case file materials for appeals, utilizing systems including but not limited to Microsoft Excel
• Keeps abreast of changes to federal and state laws, rules and regulations related to unemployment benefit payments
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years college with major courses in Business Law and Business Administration
• Requires three (3) years of local office professional investigative experience performing major adjudication work involved in the fact-finding process

Conditions of Employment

• Requires an Illinois State Police background check and self-disclosure of any criminal history
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate
• This position is considered sedentary work as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor (20 CFR404.1567(a)). Sedentary work involves lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time and requires occasionallifting, carrying, walking, and standing
• Requires ability to attend seminars, conferences, and trainings to stay current on methods, tools, ideologies, or other industry related topics relevant to the job duties
• This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings
• The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description

About the Agency

The Illinois Department of Employment Security’s (IDES) mission is to serve Illinois workers and employers to the best of our ability and to use our knowledge of the Illinois workforce to inform sound policy decision making. IDES encourages economic growth and stability in Illinois by providing vital Employment Services to Illinois residents and employers, analyzing, and disseminating actionable Labor Market Information, and administering Unemployment Insurance programs.