Child Care Program Integrity and Investigations Specialist

About the Role

The Child Care Program Integrity & Investigations Specialist provides strategic leadership and oversight of the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Program Integrity function. This position is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing fraud prevention, detection, investigation, compliance, and recovery initiatives that protect the integrity of the child care subsidy program. The role oversees investigative operations, establishes risk-based monitoring activities, and ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. It serves as a subject matter expert and advisor to leadership regarding fraud risks, program vulnerabilities, regulatory requirements, and corrective action strategies.

Responsibilities include reviewing and analyzing data to ensure contract and program compliance in areas of fraud, waste, and abuse, as well as overseeing contract compliance and interpreting policies.

Responsibilities

• Conduct investigations into allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, and non-compliance involving child care program participants and childcare providers.
• Review eligibility documentation, income verification, employment records, residency documentation, attendance records, and provider billing submissions.
• Conduct interviews with parents, providers, employers, staff, and third-party contacts, as necessary.
• Conduct field visits and on-site investigations.
• Analyze documentation, records, and data to identify inconsistencies, trends, or potentially fraudulent activity.
• Utilize Texas Workforce reporting and file management systems to assist in case reviews.
• Prepare detailed investigative reports, summaries of findings, and recommendations for corrective action.
• Oversee corrective action plans and monitor implementation of remediation efforts.
• Ensure audit readiness and support responses to federal and state monitoring reviews.
• Identify training needs related to investigation, fraud detection, regulatory compliance, and program oversight.
• Support overpayment identification, calculation, and recovery documentation processes.
• Coordinate with Child Care Contractor eligibility staff, monitoring teams, legal counsel, and Texas Workforce Commission staff.
• Prepare and organize documentation required for appeals, hearings, audits, and compliance reviews.
• Maintain secure and confidential handling of sensitive records and personally identifiable information.
• Identify process gaps, internal control weaknesses, and opportunities for fraud prevention improvements.
• Assist in developing procedures, workflows, and guidance related to fraud investigations and program integrity.
• Prepare written analysis of trends and findings based on case reviews and reports.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university in Public Administration, Social Services, Business, Accounting, or a related field is preferred. A minimum of 3-5 years of experience in leading complex investigations, compliance, auditing, public benefits eligibility, case management, or program monitoring is required. Related experience in budgets, contract compliance, and interpretation of policies may substitute for education.
• Knowledge of federal and state program policies and laws of the Texas workforce system, workforce development eligibility program policies, and quality control procedures.
• Knowledge of Federal and state regulations governing Child Care program policies.
• Understanding of confidentiality and records management requirements.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate the application of policies to determine compliance, interpret policies and procedures, and evaluate information pertinent to determining the validity of cases and appropriateness of services provided.

Skills

• Ability to read and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and write clear and detailed investigative reports.
• Ability to conduct objective investigations.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
• Working knowledge of general accounting principles.
• Ability to independently define and solve problems, collect data, analyze and validate data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple investigations simultaneously.
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions and provide recommendations for corrective action and process improvement.
• Working knowledge of spreadsheet software, internet software, and database software.

Work Environment

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The vision requirements include distance vision, close vision, and the ability to identify and distinguish colors.

Travel

Due to the nature of the job, travel will be required 20-30% of work time. Must possess own method of transportation.

This position is designated as security-sensitive according to the Texas Labor Code, Section 301.042. All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history record investigation.