The Office is led by the Inspector General of the Commonwealth, who is appointed by the Governor, Attorney General and Auditor "...solely on the basis of integrity and demonstrated ability in accounting, auditing, financial analysis, law, management analysis, public administration, investigation or criminal justice administration." M.G.L. c. 12A, § 2.

The OIG is organized into three bureaus: Specialty & General Government, Legal & Compliance, and Operations, Training & Publications. Each bureau contains divisions that focus on specific agencies, issues or functions. Together the bureaus work to prevent and detect fraud, waste and abuse of public resources in the Commonwealth. Additional information about the office may be found at Welcome to the Office of the Inspector General | Mass.gov.

The OIG enabling statute is Chapter 12A of the Massachusetts General Laws (Chapter 12A). Further details may be found at Chapter 12A (malegislature.gov).

Specialty and General Government Bureau

The Specialty and General Government Bureau is managed by the Deputy Inspector General. This bureau safeguards public assets through oversight of specific agencies (both statutory and OIG-created divisions), special government funding (like pandemic relief), public procurement, and state and local government.

Internal Special Audit Unit

The Internal Special Audit Unit (ISAU) monitors the quality, efficiency and integrity of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation's (MassDOT) operating and capital programs. The ISAU's oversight encompasses all MassDOT's divisions: the Highway Division, the Registry of Motor Vehicles, Rail and Transit, the Aeronautics Division, and the MBTA. By statute, the ISAU is mandated to examine and assess MassDOT's governance, risk-management practices and internal processes to ensure they are adequate and effective. As part of its mission, the ISAU conducts investigations and reviews to prevent and detect fraud, waste and abuse of transportation and transit dollars. To help protect transportation funds, the division collaborates with MassDOT and the MBTA to identify ways to lower costs, recover funds, and stop wasteful spending.

The ISAU also works to prevent and detect fraud, waste and abuse in the expenditure of public funds or transportation related programs and projects by regional transit authorities and cities and towns. The ISAU operates two confidential hotlines - one for the pubic and one for MassDOT and MBTA employees to report suspected fraud, waste or abuse in public transportation spending.

Lead Investigator, Internal Special Audit Unit: Position Overview

The OIG is seeking candidates who are passionate about public service and who are dedicated to improving the way government delivers public services. The OIG is at the forefront of promoting effective government and responsible use of public money and property. The successful candidate will be an internal part of the collaborative ISAU team that identifies ways MassDOT, the MBTA, and regional and local government entities can operate effectively and prevent and detect fraud, waste and abuse of transportation dollars.

Lead investigators within the ISAU proactively develop plans to review and investigate transportation and transit operations and spending, as well as complaints received on the ISAU's public-facing hotlines. The OIG expects that lead investigators begin to oversee smaller reviews and investigations as well as other projects from beginning to end, begin to lead and conduct interviews, with external parties and begin to independently draft external work products like advisory letters and investigative reports.

Responsibilities include but not limited to:

• Develop plans to investigate fraud, waste and abuse in the expenditure of public funds or the use of public resources.
• Conduct prep work, plan for and attend meetings with MassDOT, MBTA, and other state employees related to transportation and transit topics and prepare detailed meeting summaries.
• As appropriate, lead interviews with MassDOT and MBTA employees, as well as external transportation subject matter experts, to gather necessary information needed during reviews and investigations.
• Perform a range of investigative duties, such as background research, gathering and evaluating evidence, reviewing documents, and analyzing data and financial records.
• Document review and investigatory analyses and test work to provide a basis for findings, conclusions and recommendations.
• Make recommendations on improving internal procedures and processes to combat the misuse or waste of funds and identify opportunities for agencies to save funds.
• Discuss concerns with MassDOT and MBTA employees and evaluate those complaints.
• Assist with research and response related to the unit's public-facing hotline for residents of the Commonwealth.
• Draft facts memos, investigative letters and reports that detail findings and recommendations.
• Develop and assign team duties and responsibilities where appropriate on reviews and investigations.
• Work collaboratively with team of counsel and investigators, as well as other Office divisions, and management and professional staff.
• Mentor junior member of the team.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Key Abilities, Skills and Experience:

• Critical thinking skills to identify, analyze and address areas of responsibility.
• Outstanding writing skills, understanding how to bring together multiple sources of information.
• Organized self-starter with the ability to maintain files and assignment in an organized and complete manner.
• Clear communication and active listening skills.
• Strong time management skills with the ability work on multiple projects, meet deadlines, and set priorities.
• Effective collaborator with the ability to work independently, as well as with teams.
• Strong interpersonal skills to build internal and external relationships.
• Knowledge of accounting, fraud schemes or methodologies.
• Demonstrated understanding of how federal, state and local government works.
• Excellent and demonstrated proficiency in MS Office 365.
• Proficiency in more than one language

Preferred Abilities, Skills and Experience Include:

• 4-6 years of related work experience in criminal justice, accounting, finance, business administration, public policy or administration, or another related field.
• Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, accounting, finance, business administration, public policy or administration, or another related field.
• Knowledge of MassDOT and the MBTA, or other transportation-related programs, projects or operations.
• Experience with project management on engineering or construction projects.

Salary: $67,000 - $76,000

Other Position Information: Full time/Exempt

Hybrid Work Schedule:

The Office of the Inspector General offers a hybrid work schedule. Under this policy, employees may request one of the following weekly hybrid schedules: 1) four days telework and one day onsite; 2) three days telework and two days onsite; 3) two days telework and three days onsite; or 4) one day telework and four days onsite. The onsite locations is at OIG 's Boston office and employees may work remotely the remainder of the time at a location approved by their supervisor, so long as they comply with the requirements of the Hybrid Work policy. Employees will be assigned to their onsite workspace based on their approved scheduled. The approved telework location must be located within Massachusetts or within an approximately two-hour driving or train commute distance. OIG does not reimburse employees for travel to the office. In addition, the successful candidate may be required to work primarily on site in Boston during the initial training and orientation period and/or for certain positions a primarily onsite role may be necessary.

Benefits:

We value our employees and offer benefits that support their lives and well-being, while promoting an environment focused on inclusion, flexibility, professional growth, trust and respect. The Office therefore is pleased to offer a comprehensive benefits package for its employees. The specific components and eligibility may vary based upon position, hours worked per week and other variables. Consequently, specific benefits for this position may be discussed as part of the interview and offer process.

The overall benefits available include paid vacation; sick and personal leave time; health, dental and vision insurance through Commonwealth's Group Insurance Commission; and optional pre-tax health savings account plans. To view the details of the various plans and the cost split between employer and employee, go to the Group Insurance Commission website.

Employees also participate in the Commonwealth's state retirement plan, which may become a defined benefit plan for those who both vest and subsequently retire from state service. For more information, visit the Massachusetts State Retirement Board website.

In addition, the Office provides employees the opportunity to elect life insurance, long-term disability insurance, deferred compensation savings, tuition remission and pre-tax commuter account plans, along with other programs.

This position may be eligible for federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program administered by the federal government.

How to Apply:

Submit cover letter and resume via email by November 1, 2024 to:

Sarah Hoover, Director of Human Resources & Recruitment

Office of the Inspector General

igo-employment@mass.gov

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

Diversity Officer: Sarah Hoover

The Office of the Inspector General is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. The Office does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

The Office promotes access, inclusion and diversity for all staff, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding working environment and in keeping with its mission. The Office actively seeks to increase the diversity of its workforce and is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.