SENIOR FINANCIAL INVESTIGATOR

TOMPKINS COUNTY

Department Social Services 

Classification Competitive 

Labor Grade  M(13) 

Approved  Bd. Res. 384, 12/20/88

Revised   5/91; 7/98 

By HH, Commissioner of Personnel 

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:  This is important public contact work involving responsibility for assisting in the supervision and performance of investigations regarding the financial status of individuals to provide for the support of others.  Work also includes contacting respondents who become delinquent in making support payments and enforcing support orders.  The work is performed under general supervision of the Coordinator of Support Unit with some leeway permitted for the use of independent judgment in the planning of the work.  Supervision may be exercised over the work of financial investigators and clerical staff in the absence of the coordinator.  Does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

Contacts individuals, employers, banks, lending organizations and business firms to verify earnings and 

determine financial ability of those involved in support cases;

Reviews records of delinquent accounts to determine necessary action;

Answers correspondence and inquiries concerning support/matters from other government jurisdictions, 

beneficiaries and respondents;

Explains court orders and their effects to beneficiaries, respondents, attorneys, and other interested parties;

Aids beneficiaries to prepare and file petitions to the Family Court;

Prepares reports of activities for review by superior;

Appears in Family Court as a representative of the Department or as a witness in support hearings;

Prepares forms and correspondence needed to process income deduction orders;

Ensures that records on support cases under investigators' jurisdiction are maintained and are up to date;

Under supervision of CSE Coordinator, implements changes in support policy and procedure as requested;

Routinely responds to policy/procedure and case handling from staff;

Oversees support unit in the absence of the coordinator;

Assists in the provision of necessary training;

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Good knowledge of the methods used in determining the financial condition of individuals; 

Good knowledge of the sources of financial records such as mortgages, deeds, bank accounts and insurance 

records; 

Working knowledge of accounting principles; 

Ability to deal effectively with the public; 

Ability to supervise the work of others; 

Ability to interview people; 

Good judgment, tact, courtesy, initiative and resourcefulness are all required; 

The employee's physical condition shall be commensurate with the demands of the position.

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SENIOR FINANCIAL INVESTIGATOR (CONT.)

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma AND EITHER:

(a)                Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York state registered two-year college with an 

                Associates degree in accounting or business administration with a specialization in accounting 

                process and practices AND one year of full-time paid                (or the equivalent part-time and/or volunteer) 

                experience in the compilation and maintenance of financial accounting or in the collection of 

                delinquent accounts, or in credit investigation; OR

(b)           Three years of full-time paid (or the equivalent part-time and/or volunteer) experience in the compilation and maintenance of financial accounting or in the collection of delinquent 

                accounts or in credit investigation; OR

(c)           Any combination of training and experience equal to or greater than that described in (a) or (b) above.

11/90

S69.doc