Our Mission: Keep Washington Safe and Working!
Our Values: Customer Focus, One L&I, Respect, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Learning and Growth, Reliability
**In addition to the base salary**
Industrial Hygienists and Safety & Health Investigators will be compensated basic salary plus 10% for each hour they are required to use personal protective equipment (excluding hard hats, boots, hearing and eye protection) to enter a hazardous worksite to consult, inspect or investigate where serious hazards are present.
PLUS
King County Premium Pay - If assigned to a permanent duty station in King County, employees will receive 5% Premium Pay calculated from their base salary.
AND IF BILINGUAL
If hired as bilingual (not required), after passing an assessment of your ability to write and speak fluently, employees with bilingual responsibilities receive a 5% increase in pay.
AND
All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required for this position will be provided by L&I DOSH as specified in WAC 296-800-16020.
Join L&I’s Mission to Protect Washington’s Workforce!
L&l's Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) administers the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA) law by developing and enforcing rules that protect workers from hazardous job conditions, helping employers and other interested parties to protect the safety and health of Washington's workforce.
At the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), we stand up for workers’ rights and workplace safety. Our Safety & Health Retaliation Investigators play a critical role in protecting employees from retaliation when they speak up about safety concerns. This is challenging, meaningful work where your investigative skills, integrity, and compassion can make a real impact on Washington’s workforce.
We’re looking for an independent self-starter who thrives on investigation, fact-finding, and writing clear, detailed reports. If you enjoy managing your own caseload, scheduling interviews, and bringing complex cases to resolution while collaborating with colleagues and maintaining trust with the public, this could be your next career move.
We value our employees and their work-life balance by encouraging flexible schedules. This position can be offered with a flexible schedule (4/10’s, 9/80’s, 5/8’s etc.) once fully trained and approved by management.
This position will require in-office work at least once per week with travel throughout the state. The assigned duty station for this position may be in any of our service locations within the state of Washington.
Learn more about DOSH here: 50 Years of DOSH
As a Safety & Health Retaliation Investigator, you will:
-
Conduct in-person independent and complex investigations into workplace retaliation complaints under WISHA/OSHA laws.
-
Travel throughout the state to interview employees, employers, and witnesses, documenting findings and analyzing evidence to determine case outcomes (sufficient/insufficient evidence).
-
Prepare and write detailed investigative reports and present clear, accurate findings.
-
Negotiate and mediate settlements between parties when appropriate.
-
Manage your own caseload (6–12 open cases on average), set your own schedule, and travel statewide as needed.
-
Collaborate with internal teams and external partners, including attorneys, unions, and employers.
-
Demonstrate strong knowledge of workplace safety and health regulations (WISHA/OSHA).
-
And much more!
What We’re Looking For:
We want candidates who bring a balance of investigative skill, people skills, and professionalism. Specifically, you’ll need:
-
Background in investigations, law enforcement, occupational safety & health, or a related field.
-
Strong time management and organizational skills – able to manage multiple cases and keep meticulous records.
-
Work independently without direct daily supervision.
-
Clear and persuasive writing ability for reports, correspondence, and testimony.
-
Strong interviewing, negotiation, and mediation skills.
-
Integrity and trustworthiness in handling sensitive cases.
-
Ability to collaborate effectively with coworkers and external stakeholders.
-
Bilingual skills (Spanish or any language) are highly desired. All languages encouraged to apply.
REQUIRED:
Driving is a required part of this job in order to perform the duties of this position as an L&I investigator to get from one location to another. There will be frequent daily travel with occasional overnight travel throughout the State. You will use a state-issued vehicle, motor pool vehicle, or must be able to provide personally owned vehicle (POV) when a pool or state-issued vehicle is not available and will be reimbursed at the current rate.
Therefore, you must have a valid unrestricted driver license without any convictions for driving under the influence or a driving offense that endangered or harmed others within the past 7 years. Individuals driving POVs for state business must show proof of personal liability insurance and will be reimbursed for mileage at the current mileage reimbursement rate.
-
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in occupational safety and health, industrial hygiene, or related field AND four years of paid occupational/industrial safety related professional experience.
OR
-
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in occupational safety and health, industrial hygiene, or related field AND two years as an Occupational Safety and Health Professional 2 in DOSH.
OR
-
Master’s Degree from an accredited university in occupational safety and health, industrial hygiene, or similar field AND two years of professional experience.
OR
-
Four years of full-time journey level paid experience in one or more of the following industries: Government, military, public health or related safety and health field.
DESIRED:
-
Bilingual skills (Spanish preferred) are highly desired.
-
Two years working at the professional or technical level as an investigator or a related field.
Bring your investigative skills, people-first approach, and passion for workplace safety to L&I!
Apply today and help us protect Washington’s workforce.
Applicants selected to move forward in the hiring process will undergo a skills assessment at the time of interview.
Research suggests that women and people of color are less likely to apply unless they are confident they meet 100% of the listed qualifications. We strongly encourage all interested individuals to apply, and allow us to evaluate your combination of knowledge, skills, and abilities demonstrated using an intentional equity lens.
See all of our current L&I DOSH position openings here: Current L&I DOSH open positions
Things You Need To Know
State employees who meet the qualifications will become eligible for a generous retirement package at the end of the employee’s career. Click on the “Benefits” tab to learn more.
At L&I, your voice matters. In addition, L&I is a diverse state agency dedicated to the safety and health and security of Washington's 3.3 million workers. Take a look at this brief video and learn more about why L&I is an employer of choice.
Application process
We will contact the top candidates directly to interview for this position. Because we base the selection on information provided by you, it is in your best interest to identify the knowledge, skills, and abilities that address the mandatory and desirable qualifications described in the announcement.
Please include the following documents with your application:
-
A cover letter describing specific qualifications.
-
A current resume detailing applicable experience and education.
-
A list of at least three professional references with current telephone numbers.
Background Check Notice:
Prior to a placement in this position, a background check, including criminal history record will be conducted. Information from your background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining your eligibility to perform the requirements of the position.
Other information
-
For positions requiring travel, you must have a valid unrestricted driver's license and have insurance if driving a privately owned vehicle on state business.
-
This position is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).
-
Candidates who are offered a job with L&I must possess work authorization that does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future.
-
The Department of Labor & Industries complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements of the federal employment eligibility verification form, I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form on the first day of employment.
-
Please note: L&I may use this announcement to fill multiple permanent and/or non-permanent positions.
Did You Know?
Washington is America's Top State to live, play, and work, according to U.S. News (2021). Join the L&I team and enjoy all the Evergreen State has to offer.
In addition to offering a positive balance between life and work, L&I provides one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation. We also believe your voice matters. We value our employees and their work-life balance by encouraging flexible schedules. L&I is a diverse state agency dedicated to the safety and health and security of Washington's 3 million workers.
Veterans Preference
Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference should attach to their application a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as Social Security numbers. For further information, contact L&I’s
[email protected].
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer
L&I employees come from all walks of life. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
We believe in the importance of recognizing the value each of us contribute to the success of the agency mission. Having a diverse workforce is this agency’s greatest resource of strength and knowledge. It is through the combination of talents and abilities that we can pursue finding effective measures to provide the best customer service. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone and we strongly mean everyone.
The State of Washington is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with a disability who need accommodation in the application process or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call 360-902-5700. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.
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.
For more Information
If you have any questions regarding this job posting, program, or the agency, please contact the recruiter, Lori Hensin (she/her/hers) at
[email protected].
