Investigative Analyst (Open and Promotional)

Full Job Description

The Human Services Agency (HSA) of San Mateo County is seeking to fill a qualified Investigative Analyst position located in the Program Integrity and Community Services Branch, Special Investigations Unit.

The Investigative Analyst, under general supervision, assists in and performs technical and investigative work associated with suspected welfare fraud and violations of law in connection with various County programs; verifies information submitted by applicants/recipients of public assistance to assist in client eligibility, identifies fraud and maintains integrity of the welfare program.

Through a newly redesigned process, the Investigative Analyst will support Fraud Investigators with routine or less complex investigations and conduct extensive preliminary research for more complex investigations.

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

• Experience and knowledge in assisting and performing technical and investigative work which includes case reviews associated with suspected welfare fraud and violations of law in connection with various County programs.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and is highly organized, responsible, detail-oriented, committed to public service, and able to work independently and collaboratively in a culturally diverse environment.
• The ability to easily establish rapport and conduct interviews of a highly personal nature with culturally diverse clients and establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
• Excellent written communication skills and ability to format documents and reports.
• Strong analytical skills and familiarity with basic statistical and research techniques.

Requirements

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Detect and prevent fraudulent claims for public assistance.
• Assist investigators in performing routine investigations.
• Review, verify and evaluate clients’ case information for possible errors, inconsistencies and discrepancies.
• Review and monitor department compliance with County, State and Federal regulations related to welfare assistance programs.
• Verify information using resources such as credit bureaus, Department of Motor Vehicle, other county and community agencies among others.
• Research, collect, and preserve materials, which may be used as evidence.
• Review a variety of records to secure information concerning suspected welfare violations.
• Maintain records relating to investigations.
• Prepare correspondence and reports of investigation findings.
• Process calls regarding allegations of fraud and make referrals to other appropriate agencies, including law enforcement.
• Prepare oral and written reports.
• Make recommendations on investigation findings.
• May perform some field work as assigned.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Principles and procedures of eligibility determination.
• Functions of public social services and agencies.
• Penal, Civil, Welfare and Institutions Codes, and related laws and regulations.
• Interviewing techniques.
• Modern investigative techniques and practices with particular reference to welfare fraud investigations.
• Methods of identifying, preserving and presenting evidence.

Skill/Ability to:

• Interpret and apply Penal, Civil, Welfare and Institutions Codes, and related laws and regulations.
• Recognize fraudulent documentation.
• Gather, analyze, correlate and evaluate observed facts and evidence.
• Make recommendations and decisions based on logical conclusions.
• Analyze situations, appraise people and adopt effective courses of action as necessary.
• Act independently and use initiative.
• Keep accurate notes and records.
• Prepare and present clear, concise and comprehensive reports and correspondence.
• Obtain information through effective interviewing.
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with people contacted during investigations.
• Interview victims, witnesses, and/ or defendants effectively to obtain and clarify information related to the assigned cases.
• Communicate effectively, orally and in writing.

Education and Experience:
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is two years of experience performing public assistance eligibility work.

Other Requirements:

• Must successfully pass a background investigation prior to employment.

Additional Information

Open & Promotional. Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/ limited term position prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score. A supplemental application form must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. Based solely on the information provided in the application materials, an application screening committee will select those applicants whose education, training and experience most closely matches the needs of the department.

The examination will consist of a panel interview (weight: 100%) which may include performance exercise(s) given before, during or after the interview. Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or a screening committee may select those applicants whose education and/or experience appear to best meet the needs of the position. Possession of minimum qualifications does not guarantee advancement in the examination process. All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California and applicants must participate at their own expense.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the “Apply” button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. Responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted in addition to the standard County employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required application materials. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT TIMELINE
Final Filing Date: Monday, April 27, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PST
Screening Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Combined Panel Interview Date: Tuesday, May 12, 2026

About the County
San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.