Investigator (INV3)

Full Job Description

We are dedicated to growing a culture of belonging through our values:

Respect | Trust | Diversity | Inclusion | Equity

At the Department of Licensing (DOL), we recognize the importance of work life harmony and strive to create a culture where employees feel valued and respected.

Our employees are trusted and encouraged to be a part of process improvements that impact their work, create value for our customers and help build trust in our government.

Our Centralized Investigations and Audits Unit is recruiting for four (4) Investigators to conduct investigations mainly in the Transportation, Public Protection, and Cosmetology Professions with the ability to assess, and conduct investigations into industry complaints, while providing education for our customers.

Our Business & Professions Division (BPD) has 39 business and professional licensing programs and overall manages 42 programs.

The Transportation Services team seeks to provide regulatory oversight and promote public safety and welfare under 18 different license types, including but not limited to Vehicle Dealers, Vehicle Manufacturers, Manufactured Homes/Travel Trailers, Off Road Dealers, Miscellaneous Dealers, Vessel Dealers, Vehicle Transporters, Registered Tow Truck Operators, Hulk Haulers, Limousines, For Hire (Taxis) and various others.

Our Public Protection unit is focused on the licensing and investigations around Private Investigators, Security Guards, Auctioneers, Combative Sports, Court Reporters, Body Art and Piercing and Tattooing, Cosmetology, Cosmetology Schools, and Sellers of Travel licensees.

Do you have a knack for independent report writing and strong attention to detail? If so, read on!

Requirements

As an Investigator, you will be responsible for objectively analyzing consumer complaints, conducting complex investigations regarding alleged violations of statutory law, and documenting subsequent outcomes.

Your focus will be to ensure an appropriate response to industry and consumer concerns or complaints.

As the expert analyst of each complex investigation conducted, you will ensure that “who, what, when, where, why and how” are consistently and appropriately determined within each program’s scope of authority and jurisdictional boundaries.

You’ll maintain professionalism in all matters as a public-facing representative of DOL and connect with the community by providing education to industry partners, as you independently navigate your workload and attempt to assist DOL customers along the way.

With a strong commitment to great service, you’ll advance public safety and consumer protection through licensing, regulation and education.

Some of what you will do:

• Independently plan and conduct complex and sensitive investigations by accurately gathering, analyzing, and interpreting written and oral statements and legal documents.
• Conduct on-site and remote inspections and certifications of licensees to ensure compliance with statutory place of business requirements for multiple business types.
• Complete complex examinations and audits of business records as they relate to governing regulations and laws in an independent setting.
• Communicate timely, courteously, and effectively to complainants, respondents, witnesses, other programs, partners, and other government agencies.
• Attend and testify truthfully in administrative hearings as needed.
• Act as a functional member of the investigations team to assist with assignments necessary to meet the goals and objectives of the agency, division and program.

Qualifications

What you will bring:

• Five (5) years of relevant experience as an investigator with a criminal justice agency, private organization, or any other directly related field and include three (3) years of field experience.

OR

• Two (2) years of experience as an Investigator 2.

Experience must include:

• Two (2) years of using advanced analytical skills and a full range of investigative techniques.
• Understanding and interpreting laws, rules, and policy in the course of investigatory duties or enforcement.
• Interpreting and applying RCWs and WACs in the course of investigatory duties or enforcement.
• Using computer software to create, modify, and format Word documents and spreadsheets, find data and work with basic formulas and functions.
• Composing and corresponding to emails in a professional manner.
• Providing customer service and industry awareness to customers and partners by interpreting laws, regulations and standards.
• The ability to:
  • Understand and follow agency values of respect, trust, diversity, equity, and inclusion through behaviors, and decisions.
  • Promote and support a respectful, equitable, and inclusive workplace for all employees.
  • Promote and support respectful, equitable, and inclusive delivery of services to customers.
  • Take action to learn and grow.
  • Take action to meet the needs of others.

Two (2) years of relevant education may substitute for one (1) year of experience.

Experience can be obtained concurrently.

What may help set you apart:

• Knowledge and understanding of federal, state, and/or other jurisdictions related to the licenses that our Transportation, Public Protection, and Cosmetology teams investigate and oversee (listed in description above).
• Familiarity with civil court rules, agency policy, and state law governing the release of public records.
• One (1) year of experience effectively testifying in legal proceedings.
• Experience in mentoring and assisting other staff regarding work subjects.

Additional conditions of employment:

• Must have the ability to travel in Washington state up to 40% of the time, including overnight stays at times.
• Prior to a new hire, a pre-employment screening that includes a criminal record history check will be conducted. These findings may not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Additional Information

Join us as we transform how the government delivers services! Together, we can build a legacy of commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion that will benefit generations to come. Be part of this vital mission and make a real impact from within your community.

How to Apply:

• Select the apply button at the top of this job announcement.
• Attach the following:
  • Resume

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our award-winning diverse and inclusive organization.

We value diverse perspectives and life experiences.

We employ and serve people of all backgrounds including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, and veterans. We value the unique traits and attributes that each employee brings to the job. Through the diverse perspectives of an inclusive workforce, we will create a more respectful, productive, and unified team to better serve the public of Washington.

Veteran/Military Spouse Preference Notice
To take advantage of veteran/military spouse preference notify the Talent Acquisition Team of your vet/military spouse status. Please include the title of this position in the subject line.

The Washington State Department of Licensing is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex (including gender identity), marital status, sexual orientation, race, religion, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.

Persons requiring accommodation in the application process, during the recruitment process, or who need this job announcement in an alternative format, may contact the Human Resources Office at 360-902-4000 or may email HRRecruit@dol.wa.gov.

Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call our ASL interpreter via Video Phone at 360.339.7344.