senior investigator

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY

Your Partner For A Stronger Arizona.

DES works with families, community organizations, advocates and state and federal partners to realize our collective vision: A thriving Arizona.

DES serves more than 3 million Arizonans. Our Mission is to strengthen individuals, families, and communities for a better quality of life.

SENIOR INVESTIGATOR

Job Location:

Office of Inspector General (OIG)

2200 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85004

Posting Details:

Salary: $48,465 - $56,453

Grade: 20

Closing Date: October 29, 2025

Job Summary:

The Department of Economic Security, Office of Inspector General (OIG) is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as Senior Investigator. The Senior Investigator position investigates allegations of fraud and abuse related to Department of Economic Security (DES) programs and services, and allegations of misconduct by clients, employees, contractors, vendors, and providers. Additionally, the OIG conducts administrative and criminal investigations regarding benefits fraud by partnering with federal, state and local law enforcement.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely within Arizona based upon the department's needs and continual meetings of expected performance measures.

The state of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, commissions, many State employees participate in the State's Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Job Duties:

Essential Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Review and research records, policy, procedures, investigative on-line resources, public information sources, and networking to other investigative agencies to obtain information and evidence relating to allegations of fraud.
• Conduct field investigations, interview suspects and witnesses, compose, prepare and serve subpoenas, conduct surveillance and gather evidence to prove or disprove the claim of fraud. Maintain investigation records to ensure the proper chain of evidence
• Analyze, organize and maintain investigation records to ensure the proper chain of evidence procedures are followed. Produce high quality reports presenting complex technical matters clearly and concisely presenting all the facts and evidence of the case, both inculpatory and exculpatory. Attend and testify at administrative hearings regarding intentional program violations and overpayments.
• Compose prosecution reports, analyze and organize evidence, prepare cases to refer for prosecution to the Attorney General's office or county prosecution authorities. Attend Grand Jury Hearings and other criminal proceedings to testify and present the facts of the case.
• Attend unit, division and one on one meetings with supervisor, attend trainings and assist other investigators as needed.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• Intelligence gathering and crime analysis processes.
• Methods and techniques of statistical research, analysis, and probability modeling; Principles of data collection, collation, analysis and dissemination.
• Microsoft Office applications.
• Applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and trends in the area of assignment.
• Local, State and Federal programs and resources in area of assignment.
• Arizona statutes and Administrative Code; Software used for data analysis and investigations.
• Relational databases, Geographical Information Software (GIS) tools, and mapping techniques.
• Evidence handling procedures.

Skill in:

• Performing statistical research and analysis; Reviewing and analyzing data and information from multiple sources to extract facts.
• Crime analysis or investigations.
• Review and evaluation of activities and develop effective methods for improvement.
• Establishing effective working relationships, both internal and external to the Department.
• Preparing clear, concise, and accurate oral and written reports.
• Generating reports, maps, charts, graphs, and other visual aids.
• Using link analysis software, or other data analysis and investigation software.
• Research and presentations.

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively and accurately, both orally and in writing.
• Conduct fact finding research.
• Utilize problem solving techniques.
• Organize data into logical formats for presentation in reports, documents and other written materials.
• Organize and maintain case/project files.
• Prioritize tasks or projects to meet deadlines.
• Perform detailed work with a high degree of accuracy.
• Integrate and interpret complex information.
• Establish effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Maintain a valid Arizona Driver's License.

Selective Preference(s):

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice Studies or a related field or any equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved, Protective Services or investigations experience and/or Bilingual is highly desired.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• This position may require driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver's License Requirements. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver's license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver's license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver's license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R
• Successfully pass background and reference checks; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the agency's ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions
• All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify.
• Employees shall obtain and maintain a valid Level One fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to S.B.1164.
• Must obtain ACJIS Terminal Operator Certification within 30 days of hire and maintain certification throughout the course of this assignment with the unit.

Benefits:

The Arizona Department of Economic Security offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
• Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and long-term disability plans
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
• Deferred compensation plan
• Wellness plans
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Stipend Opportunities
• Infant at Work Program
• Rideshare and Public Transit Subsidy
• Career Advancement & Employee Development Opportunities
• Flexible schedules to create a work/life balance

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Retirement:

State employees are required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS), the State sponsored retirement contribution plan and the Long-Term Disability (LTD) program after a 27-week waiting period. The ASRS defined benefit plan provides for life-long income upon retirement. You will also have the option to participate in a voluntary deferred compensation program to take advantage of tax-deferred retirement investments.

On, or shortly after, your first day of work you will be provided with additional information about the available insurance plans, enrollment instructions, submission deadlines and effective dates.

Contact Us:

For questions about this career opportunity, please contact Benson Walker at or email

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.