AGO Senior Digital Forensic Investigator/Analyst, Ethics Division, Tumwater

Full Job Description

Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at HREmployment@atg.wa.gov.

Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1-800-676-3777 or www.washingtonrelay.com.

Position and Salary
The Attorney General’s Office is recruiting for a permanent full time AGO Senior Digital Forensic Investigator/Analyst in the Ethics Division. This position is located in Tumwater, Washington, and is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).

AGO Senior Investigator/Analyst Salary Range 66: $80,820 - $108,780
The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

The AGO provides a workplace that is understanding of work-life balance and promotes advancement by offering a wide variety of professional development and growth opportunities.

Excellent benefitsWashington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation, including Medical/Dental/Vision for employees & dependent(s); Vacation, Sick, and Other Leave; 11 Paid Holidays per year; Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) plans; and Life Insurance.

Beyond these traditional benefits, we offer Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave, and more.

With the goal of employee health and wellness, we also offer:

• Flexible schedules and part-time/hybrid telework options;
• A Wellness Program, an Infants in the Workplace Program, and the Employee Assistance Program, which provides counseling, webinar, and other cost-free support resources;
• Numerous employee-driven affinity groups to foster community and connection, including Bereavement, Elder Care, Parenting, POC, LGBTQ+, Veterans and more. The AGO is a place to belong and make a difference!

About the AGO Ethics Division

The AGO Ethics Division is a small but mighty team of four tasked with investigating and enforcing the Ethics in Public Service Act and the rules adopted under it for statewide elected officials, and other officers and employees in the executive branch, boards and commissions, and institutions of higher education.

We’re not talking about morals and values here. This unique AGO division keeps those under their jurisdiction in the state honest through investigating activities in violation of the Act, primarily:

• Use of state resources
  • Property & Equipment
  • State PCs & other digital devices

• Gifts
• Conflicts of interest
• Special Privilege

While the Board is an independent entity appointed by the governor, the AGO funds and supports the staff. As an AGO Ethics Division employee, you will be part of the Ethics Board Staff.

Duties and Essential Functions of an AGO Senior Digital Forensic Investigator/Analyst

The Senior Digital Forensic Investigator position focuses on two main areas: full investigation life cycle management and Ethics in Public Service Act training.

Investigation Life Cycle Management
This role is unique in that rather than handing off tasks to specialists throughout the process like a typical investigator would, this position manages the full life cycle of the investigation, handling all details from end-to-end. Essential functions include:

• Evidence gathering
• Conducting forensic research and analysis
• Interviewing high profile subjects
• Documenting & presenting findings to the governor-appointed Executive Ethics Board
• Participating in settlement negations
• Assisting legal counsel in preparation for hearings
• Testifying as the subject matter expert in hearings

Ethics in Public Service Act Training
As experts in the Ethics in Public Service Act, the Senior Digital Forensic Investigator, together with the Ethics Division team, will develop and conduct training with Executive Branch state employees across the state. Essential functions include:

• Development of training curricula
• Conducting engaging and effective training presentations to large audiences, both in person and virtually

This recruitment announcement may be used to fill multiple open positions for the same classification, in addition to the position(s) listed in this announcement.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and ten (10) years of experience conducting investigations, which include the authority to independently plan and conduct investigations in civil or criminal cases.

OR

Five (5) years’ experience as an AGO Investigator/Analyst.

Additional qualifying investigative experience may substitute year for year for education.

Skills and Abilities

The most competitive applicants will possess the following qualifications:

• Experience and proficiency in Digital Forensics performing hands-on forensic analysis of digital devices (PCs, networks, internal & external hard drives, cell phones, email, text messaging, etc.)
• Knowledge of Magnet Forensics or similar capturing software tool
• Strong interpersonal skills: working successfully with all levels of staff, , troubleshooting, and problem solving skills
• Emotional intelligence: reading body language, knowing when to apply pressure and when to ease off, managing emotions in difficult situations, self-awareness of personal strengths and limitations
• Excellent written & oral communication skills: summarizing complex ideas into easily understandable points (writing), presenting concise information succinctly and with authority (oral)
• De-escalations and trauma informed strategy skills

Ideal Candidate Profile The ideal candidates will be empathetic, poised, and professional.

They will have worked as a forensic investigator and learned the skills necessary to conduct an end-to-end investigation with confidence.

They will be comfortable with high profile cases, presenting findings to Executive Board members, and functioning as a subject matter expert at hearings, while also being nimble enough to conduct training, and file a persuasive written report.

Typical successful backgrounds for this position include:

• Forensic detectives
• Law enforcement investigators
• Private investigators
• HR investigators
• Military (Army/CID, USAF/OSI, Navy/NCIS, etc.)
• Federal detectives
• Internal investigators

About the Washington State Office of the Attorney GeneralThe Attorney General’s Office (AGO) touches the lives of every resident in this state.

We serve more than 230 state agencies, boards, commissions, colleges and universities, as well as the Legislature and the Governor.

The Office is comprised of nearly 700 attorneys and 800 professional staff, all working together to deliver the highest quality professional legal services to Washington state officials, agencies, and entities.

This includes:

• Economic justice and consumer protections (safeguarding consumers, protecting youth, seniors, and other vulnerable populations)
• Social justice and civil rights (addressing discrimination, environmental protection, and veteran and military resources)
• Criminal justice and public safety (investigative and prosecutorial support, financial crimes)
• And much more!

Our agency also has national reach, representing the State of Washington before the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals and trial courts in all cases that involve the state’s interest.

If you want to make a difference, we may be the perfect fit for you! Learn more about the AGO here. Commitment to Diversity Diversity is critical to the success of the mission of the AGO.

This means recognizing, respecting, and appreciating all cultures and backgrounds-- and fostering the inclusion of differences between people.

Appreciating, valuing and implementing principles of diversity permits AGO employees to achieve their fullest potential in an inclusive, respectful environment.

One recent measure of the AGO's commitment to diversity can be found in its nomination for Rainbow Alliance and Inclusion Network's "Outstanding Agency Award" in 2019.

Our commitment to employee wellness is reflected in earning the 2024 Zo8 Washington Wellness Award.

Application Instructions

In addition to completing the online application, applicants must attach the following documents to their profile in order to be considered for this position:

• A letter of interest, describing your specific qualifications for the position;
• A current resume detailing experience and education.

Read the Following Information Completely:

• Carefully review your application for accuracy, spelling and grammar before submitting.
• You may not reapply to this posting for 30 days.
• The initial screening of applications will be solely based on the contents and completeness of the “work experience” and “education” sections of your application in www.careers.wa.gov, completeness of the application material submitted, and responses to the supplemental questionnaire.
• A resume will not substitute for completing the “work experience” section of the application.
• All information may be verified and documentation may be required.
• The Washington State Office of the Attorney General does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Accommodations Requests

Honoring diversity, equity and inclusion means that as an agency, and as individuals, we are committed to ensuring that all employees and volunteers enjoy a respectful, safe and supportive working environment.

Only by fostering the inclusion of people from all backgrounds, cultures and attributes, can AGO employees and volunteers achieve their fullest potential and best advance the goals and mission of the AGO.

The AGO is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation/gender identity, age, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, retaliation or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.

Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at HREmployment@atg.wa.gov.

Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1-800-676-3777 or www.washingtonrelay.com.

For questions regarding this recruitment or assistance with the application process, please contact the recruitment team at HREmployment@atg.wa.gov.

If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com.