Fraud Investigator

Fraud InvestigatorThe Employment Security Department (ESD) is seeking an experienced, analytical leader to serve as a Fraud Investigator within the Imposter Detection Team.The ideal candidate is a sharp, detail-oriented professional —someone who brings discretion to sensitive situations, communicates with confidence during difficult interviews, and navigates complex legal frameworks with absolute integrity. You are collaborative, highly adaptable, and committed to public service. You build strong cross-agency relationships, approach data with critical curiosity, and possess the tenacity required to uncover intricate financial schemes. You are skilled at balancing rigorous investigative techniques, risk mitigation, and strict compliance while maintaining a high standard of accountability.As a Fraud Investigator, you will protect the integrity of the Unemployment Insurance and Paid Leave Trust Fund by preventing and detecting financial losses due to fraud or malfeasance. You will use crossmatch technology, skip-tracing, and public or agency referrals to conduct the most complex, sensitive, and multi-jurisdictional investigations. Your work directly supports ESD's mission by safeguarding public funds and ensuring resources are distributed equitably and legally. You will be responsible for the full lifecycle of a case, including comprehensive investigations, adjudication, data collection, and partnering with law enforcement to see criminal cases through to prosecution.The Imposter Detection Team provides a critical line of defense for the agency, identifying sophisticated patterns of practice, criminal rings, identity theft, and vendor fraud. Within this unit, you will play a vital role in analyzing evidential facts, reviewing high-stakes data, and translating complex rules into actionable processes. This position influences agency-wide fraud prevention strategies, coordinates closely with local, state, and federal oversight bodies, and serves as an expert witness for the state. This is a highly specialized role requiring exceptional judgment, strong interviewing skills, and the ability to guide internal staff and employers through evolving legal and fraud landscapes leveraging data to prevent and detect fraud.Additionally, some of your duties include:Investigate complex fraud cases involving identity theft, workers' compensation, incarceration fraud, vendor fraud, and out-of-country issues.Conduct sensitive interviews with claimants, victims, and witnesses to gather crucial case facts and insights.Manage multi-issue and multi-jurisdictional cases involving multiple claimants, victims, or organized criminal schemes.Gather and record evidential facts, perform surveillance, and analyze data to construct comprehensive investigative summary reports.Prepare subpoenas and coordinate evidence collection to support ongoing fraud investigations.Present findings and partner with federal agencies, local law enforcement, and Assistant Attorney Generals for criminal prosecution.Testify as a witness for the state in administrative hearings as well as Superior and District Court criminal cases.Review completed investigative reports to ensure absolute accuracy, clarity, and compliance with established policies.Develop and deliver training to employers, claimants, and agency staff on state and federal Unemployment Insurance fraud laws and policies.Advise and guide ESD claims staff on optimal fraud prevention processes and the referral of cases to the Office of Special Investigations (OSI).Qualifying candidates will meet one of the following criteria options:Option 1: Five years of experience as an investigator with a criminal justice government agency or private organization, or other directly allied field.Three years must include field experience.Option 2: Two years of experience as an Investigator 2.OR Equivalent education/experience.Note: Two years of related college-level course work may be substituted for one year of experience.Required equity competencies:The ability to take action to learn and grow.The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.The required experience includes:Fraud Detection Expertise: Ability to uncover and document fraudulent activities.Investigative Skills: Proficiency in handling complex fraud cases.Process Improvement Expertise: Ability to refine investigative methods.Analytical Skills: Proficiency in assessing and enhancing investigative efforts.Attention to Detail: Proficiency in handling sensitive inquiries discreetly and accurately.Adaptability: Ability to perform foundational investigative tasks effectively.Initiative: Ability to address unanticipated organizational needs.Versatility: Proficiency in adapting to diverse responsibilities effectively.Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:Must be able to pass Unemployment Insurance (UI) & Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) claim and fraud check.Please submit only the required documents as noted below and ensure all Personal Identifying Information (PII) such as Social Security numbers etc. are edited out of your materials for privacy.Additionally, we ask that you not include photographs or external links within your documents. Any documents uploaded through this platform will be securely transmitted electronically to support application review.Please submit your Cover Letter* and Resume with your Online Application through the "Add Attachments" field. A resume will not substitute for the "work experience" section of the application or vice versa. Applications with blank fields, or supplemental question responses with comments such as "see attachments" may be considered incomplete.Why work with us?Our agency's mission and values drive every decision that we make, determine how we interact with others and are at the core of who we are. We value Access, Love, Belonging, Equity, and Stewardship. We understand that a work environment that respects your work/life balance is key; that's why many of our positions are eligible for flexible work schedules and teleworking opportunities. Through support, value, and trust, our employees are empowered to grow and develop into their best self.Opportunity for All We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, ethnic, racial, religious, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, people over 40 years of age, people with religious beliefs, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. The Employment Security Department is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. If you are a person needing assistance in the application process, if you need this job announcement in an alternate format, or if you have general questions about this opportunity, please contact Katie Swanson View phone number on click.appcast.io), the Talent Acquisition Team, or Washington Relay Service 711 prior to the recruitment closing. If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io or View phone number on click.appcast.io or toll free View phone number on click.appcast.io, Washington Relay 711.This Organization Participates in E-VerifyBenefitsMore than Just a Paycheck! Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation. We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.Insurance Benefits Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state. Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts. To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs. Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses. Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction. The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.Retirement and Deferred Compensation State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site. Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that