Working Title: Investigator
Job Class: Investigation Specialist 2
Agency: Children Youth & Families Dept
Job ID : 93173
Location : St. Paul
Telework Eligible : Yes
Full/Part Time : Full-Time
Regular/Temporary : Unlimited
Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers. This vacancy is open for bids and for all qualified job seekers simultaneously. Bidders will be considered through 4/8/26. Please note that to be considered a bidder, you must be a permanent, non-probationary DCYF employee in the same job classification as the position posted.
Date Posted : 04/02/2026
Closing Date : 04/15/2026
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : DCYF / DCYF Central Office MAPE
Division/Unit : DCYF / OIG CCAP Investigations
Work Shift: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Work Hours : Day Shift
Days of Work : Monday - Friday
Travel Required : Yes, up to 50%
Salary Range: $31.26 - $46.15 / hourly; $65,270 - $96,361 / annually
Classified Status : Classified
Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
FLSA Status : Nonexempt
Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families is unable to provide sponsorship for work visas. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the start of employment. DCYF does not participate in E-Verify.
The work you'll do is more than just a job.
At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.
* Telework (https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/policies/1422-telework.pdf) (Within Minnesota or neighboring states) and flexible hours options are available.
*This posting may be used to fill multiple vacancies.
*Statewide travel is possible 5% of the time and may require overnight travel.
*Evening availability is required and may vary based on business needs.
This position exists to provide auditing, licensed childcare, accounting, investigation and/or criminal justice system experience to investigate alleged or suspected financial misconduct by childcare providers and errors related to payments issued by the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) and the Early and Often Program. The employee will function independently and as a member of a financial or investigation team, in training, developing and implementing strategies toward fraud prevention and detection, comprehensive investigations, and the development of cases that may involve civil, monetary, or criminal case actions. In addition, the employee will plan, develop, and implement strategies that are designed to minimize the opportunities for program abuse.
The position requires the employee to independently investigate and/or assist other investigative staff to initiate, develop, and resolve cases which may lead to administrative actions, sanctions, referrals for criminal action, and/or monetary recoveries of county, state and federal childcare assistance funds erroneously or fraudulently received by childcare providers. These functions are the major responsibilities of this position.
Responsibilities Include:
Conduct compliance monitoring and investigation activities by ensuring compliance with CCAP requirements to reduce administrative errors, prevent, detect, and eliminate CCAP fraud. Prepare investigation reports, present investigation findings, and make recommendations.
Maintain skills and up to date knowledge of policies, procedures and statutory requirements related to the Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) and Child Care Assistance Program Investigations. Special emphasis is placed on provider requirements, funding streams, billing requirements and processes.
In consultation with data analysts, the CCAP Investigations unit, manager, and supervisors, assist in identifying indicators of financial misconduct involving a childcare provider, and document such conduct appropriately so that cases can be prioritized for investigation.
Minimum Qualifications
To facilitate proper crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month, day and year for each job held.
Two (2) years* of experience working in law enforcement, investigations, auditing or accounting.
Experience must demonstrate the following:
Interviewing and communication techniques
Policy interpretation, research, data analysis and information technology skills
Access, extract, manipulate and present data in different formats to support audit and investigative activities
Testifying in criminal and/or civil court
AND
Must possess a valid driver's license
*A bachelor's degree in criminal justice, paralegal, law enforcement, accounting, finance, economics, business administration, public administration or related field may substitute for one year of experience.
Applicants who meet the above experience requirements will be further evaluated based on the following during the interview process:
Ability to use a computer, mainframe terminal and spreadsheet, data base, and word processing software in relationship to investigative functions to format, analyze, and prepare reports containing narrative and numeric data.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience as a lead investigator and working independently
Present concise, well-written, factual, investigative reports, referrals, and other materials for legal review and consideration in civil or criminal cases with the ability to communicate issues, justify conclusions reached and recommend courses of actions in an audit environment
Experience planning and conducting audits/reviews/investigations
Experience writing and issuing administrative subpoenas
Background in banking, accounting, finance, criminal justice, law enforcement, business administration or public administration
Knowledge of the basic principles of civil and criminal law, state statues and rules relating to Child Care Assistance Program, Federal Grants, and Great Start Compensation Support payments
Variety of experiences working effectively with others from different backgrounds and cultures
Additional Requirements
It is the policy of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families that the individual selected for this position successfully complete a background investigation prior to employment, that may include the following components:
Reference check
Criminal Background check
Fingerprinting check (MNJIS/CJIS)
Driver's License Check
Personnel File Review: all current and former public sector employees
Additional assessment may be required during the interview process
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.
Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.
