Construction Fraud Unit Manager

The City of Chicago Office of Inspector General (OIG) is establishing a Construction Fraud Unit (CFU) within its Investigations Section dedicated to deterring and investigating fraud, waste, and abuse at the O’Hare construction site. The CFU will be led by the Chief for Construction Fraud Unit with direction from the Deputy Inspector General for Investigations. The CFU will have dedicated leadership, investigators, and forensic audit investigators, as well as significant operational support from OIG’s data analytics, legal, and communication teams.

On March 28, 2018, the Chicago City Council approved a $8.5 billion expansion plan for O’Hare International Airport (O’Hare). The City of Chicago entered into an agreement with carriers United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Spirit Airlines for airport renovations that include expanding the airport’s existing terminals and increasing the number and availability of some gates. When work is complete in 2026, O'Hare's airport space will have increased by approximately 3 million square feet, a 72 percent increase over the current 4.3 million square feet. The amount of space for planes to park at airline gates would increase by 25 percent, and the total number of gates would jump from 185 today to roughly 220.

The OIG is one of the nation’s premier independent municipal oversight bodies with statutory responsibility to vigorously root out and prevent misconduct, waste, and inefficiency in City operations. OIG oversight functions are carried out by a staff of 106 employees with a wide array of professional skills and experience and an annual operating budget of approximately $9.5 million.

OIG’s jurisdiction extends to most individuals working for or in connection with City government, including elected and appointed officers of the City and City Council, City employees, licensees, specified sister agencies, and contractors, subcontractors, and business entities seeking to do business with the City of Chicago which enters Fiscal Year 2019 with approximately 36,000 employees and a $10.7 billion annual budget.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Planning, Criminal Justice, , Business Administration or Public Administration or a directly related field, supplemented by five years of progressively responsible experience in the planning, design, construction, or oversight of public works projects including three years of supervisory experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Must possess a valid State of Illinois driver’s license.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Preconstruction, construction, and/or project management experience.  At least five years of demonstrated internal investigative experience preferably in the area of fraud and white-collar crime and/or experience with investigations of the construction industry. Current Certified Construction Manager, Certified Fraud Examiner, Certified Fraud Specialist, Certified Public Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor, or Certified Inspector General Investigator, Project Management Professional designation.

DUTIES: Under the direction of the Deputy Inspector General for Investigations, the Chief for Construction Fraud Unit supervises a team of investigators and forensic audit investigators who investigate and audit allegations of criminal wrongdoing, fraud, abuse, conflicts of interest and corruption within City of Chicago construction programs. Daily responsibilities are, but not limited to:

·        Attends preconstruction and construction related meetings with contractors, project managers and related parties;

 

·        Tracks and analyzes invoices, change orders, estimates, material purchases, and other construction related records;

 

·        Reviews and analyzes certified payrolls;

 

·        Provides cost and schedule analyses;

 

·        Monitors onsite installations, construction activity and equipment;

 

·        Directs staff engaged in conducting investigations and interviewing witnesses regarding allegations of criminal and administrative violations by City employees and vendors;

 

·        Provides guidance on all investigations performed by the Construction Fraud Unit;

 

·        Works with the Deputy Inspector General for Investigations to determine strategies and direction of investigative work;

 

·        Reviews and approves detailed reports of complex investigations and special projects conducted, including high-level analysis and findings, and makes disciplinary recommendations;

 

·        Provides consultative support to other OIG Section Chiefs regarding challenges, investigative methods, and information sources related to construction fraud;

 

·        Conducts trainings as part of proactive measures to prevent construction fraud, waste, and abuse;

 

·        Prepares work schedules and staff assignments and determines work priorities;

 

·        Monitors case assignments to ensure investigations are timely and comply with established quality control standards;

 

·        Assists in training and other proactive activities to promote ethics and fraud awareness and prevention;

 

·        Trains and evaluates employees;

 

·        Assists with the development, documentation, and implementation of procedures;

 

  

TRAVEL AND SCHEDULE:            Travel outside Chicago is not required.

Standard work hours are 8:30am-4:30pm, flexibility permitted.

 

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT:       Employees must be a resident of the City of Chicago and proof of residency is required at the commencement of employment.