Senior Workplace Investigator

Full Job Description

Our vision is to ensure that “Washington state’s children and youth grow up safe and healthy—thriving physically, emotionally, and academically, nurtured by family and community."

Job Title: Senior Workplace Investigator
Location: Thurston County – Olympia, Washington (Hybrid)
Closes: March 5th, 2026
Salary: $87,024.00 - $108,780.00 Yearly

The Opportunity:

The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is seeking a strategic HR leader to support and strengthen our Workplace Investigations unit.

This role leads complex workplace investigations, provides coaching and guidance to staff and leadership, and serves as a trusted advisor on sensitive employee relations matters.

In partnership with the Workplace Investigations Administrator—and stepping in during their absence—you will help ensure consistency in HR investigative practices across the agency while managing comprehensive HR strategies in alignment with agency policy, civil service laws, collective bargaining agreements, and state and federal regulations.

Some of what you will get to do:

• Support a team of professional investigators handling complex and sensitive workplace investigations.
• Guide high-level civil rights investigations and consult with appointing authority and HR manager when serious concerns are raised.
• Support or assist the WIU Administrator on responses to civil rights charges filed with the HRC and EEOC.
• Partner with the Attorney General’s Office to develop legally sound and defensible position statements.
• Provide expert consultation to agency leadership on workplace investigations, employee conduct, and risk management.
• Ensure investigations follow applicable laws, bargaining agreements, agency policies, and best practices.
• Review investigative reports for quality, objectivity, and compliance with legal standards.
• Mentor, train, and support investigators to promote cultural competency and professional excellence.
• Develop and improve investigative processes to reduce risk and strengthen consistency across the agency.
• Collaborate with external partners including the Washington State Human Rights Commission, EEOC, State HR, and labor representatives.
• Analyze investigation data and trends to inform leadership and strengthen workplace culture across DCYF.

Required Qualifications:

Eight years of progressively responsible experience conducting complex workplace investigations, preferably in a government or regulated environment.

OR

Bachelor’s Degree in social science, public administration/policy or an allied field AND Six years of progressively responsible experience conducting complex investigations, preferably in a government or regulated environment.

In addition to the requirements above, our ideal candidate will possess some or all of the following:

• Experience reviewing complex situations, weighing evidence fairly, and managing multiple cases at once.
• Experience applying laws and policies correctly while maintaining confidentiality, neutrality, and professionalism.
• Experience conducting respectful interviews, de-escalating conflicts, working well with others, and writing clear reports.
• Experience identifying risks, recommending improvements, using technology effectively, and traveling as needed.

How do I apply?

Complete your applicant profile on careers.wa.gov and attach the following documents:

• Current resume detailing experience and education.
• Letter of Interest.

Supplemental Information:

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is committed to Washington’s children and youth growing up safe, healthy, and thriving.

We invite all candidates to join us in our mission to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve.

If you are excited about this role but you believe that your education and/or experience might not align perfectly with every qualification in the job posting, we encourage you to apply anyway.

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, 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 service animal by a person with a disability.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment or if you would like to request an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, contact Cole Alford (Talent Acquisition Specialist) at cole.alford@dcyf.wa.gov.

If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855)524-5627 or emailsupport@neogov.com.

“Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214 or NGB Form 22, or other verification of military service.

Please blackout (redact) the social security number before attaching any documents. For additional information on Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.

Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 360-664-1960.