Investigative Officer 1 (SIF)

About the role

The New York State Insurance Fund (NYSIF) Division of Confidential Investigations (DCI) is one of the nation’s most active special investigations units, partnering with local, state, and federal authorities to investigate, arrest, indict, and prosecute fraud involving NYSIF. DCI’s mission is to reduce insurance fraud and abuse against NYSIF and to prevent and mitigate fraud. The division consists of four units: Claims Fraud, Provider Fraud, Premium Fraud, and Data Analytics. The Investigative Officer 1 (IO 1) is an entry‑level investigator who supports and conducts workers’ compensation fraud investigations throughout the state, receiving guidance from senior investigators and DCI leadership while developing foundational investigative skills.

Responsibilities

• Handle confidential and sensitive matters.
• Assist with an assigned investigative caseload involving suspected workers’ compensation fraud, waste, and abuse by claimants, policyholders, or providers throughout the state under the direction of the Fraud Team Supervisors.
• Gather, organize, and review documentary evidence from NYSIF departments, private‑investigator reports, police reports, payroll records, business records, medical records, financial records, policyholder records, and other relevant sources.
• Conduct basic database and public‑records research on individuals, corporations, liens, addresses, property ownership, social‑media activity, and other investigative leads, with guidance from senior staff as needed.
• Assist with investigative activities, including witness contact, interviews, affidavit development, and collection of documentary evidence related to concealed employment or other suspected fraudulent activity.
• Participate in foot, stationery, and vehicle surveillance activities as assigned, and help gather and preserve evidence at worksites, private residences, businesses, medical offices, and other relevant locations.
• Prepare draft investigative reports, surveillance summaries, evidence summaries, and referral materials for review by the IO 3, Team Supervisor, or other DCI leadership before external referral or legal use.
• Support case referrals and follow‑up by compiling requested documentation and responding to internal requests for additional information through the supervisory chain.
• Assist with preparation for hearings, grand jury presentations, trials, Workers’ Compensation Board proceedings, and testimony when needed and as directed.
• Coordinate professionally with NYSIF departments and, when directed, with law‑enforcement partners, prosecutors, insurance‑fraud officials, and other external stakeholders to support case development and fraud prevention.
• Apply developing knowledge of workers’ compensation law, fraud indicators, investigative techniques, and evidentiary requirements to support complete and accurate investigations.
• Participate in team meetings, training, onboarding, and professional‑development opportunities to build investigative skills and stay current on fraud trends, investigative tools, legal developments, and DCI procedures.
• Assist the Investigative Officer 2, Investigative Officer 3, Team Supervisor, and other DCI leadership with project‑specific or case‑specific assignments as directed.
• Interact professionally with all levels of NYSIF staff and management while maintaining confidentiality and appropriate handling of sensitive investigative matters.

Minimum Qualifications

• Five years of insurance‑claims or law‑enforcement investigation experience, **or** seven years of professional investigation experience involving economic or insurance‑related matters.
• Substitutions:
  • An associate’s degree in criminal justice or a related field may substitute for two years of qualifying experience.
  • A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a related field may substitute for four years of qualifying experience.
• Related fields of study or experience include law enforcement, police science, criminal justice administration, criminology, criminal investigation, police studies, public justice, forensic accounting, forensic psychology, forensic science, economic crime management, psychology, and sociology.
• This position requires frequent travel and the maintenance of a valid driver’s license while employed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Interest in criminal investigations, insurance‑fraud investigations, workers’ compensation fraud, economic crime, or related matters.
• Familiarity with investigative databases, public‑records research, social‑media research, or intelligence‑gathering tools.
• Ability to organize records, summarize information accurately, and prepare clear written work for supervisory review.
• Ability to learn investigative procedures, maintain confidentiality, follow direction, and work professionally within a structured supervisory chain.

Additional Information

The New York State Insurance Fund does not sponsor employment visas. Candidates who are currently sponsored for employment should verify the status and expiration dates of their sponsorship before applying. NYSIF is not enrolled in e‑Verify, which is required for certain types of employment verifications.