JOB
Investigations Specialist
(Human Resource Consultant 4)Monday - Friday | 8AM - 5PM | HYBRID
NOTE: This position is eligible for full time remote/telework within Washington State and flexible scheduling. There may be instances where you will be required to work from the office or a field location.
The Department of Enterprise Services (DES) provides centralized business services to state government agencies; to other public entities such as cities, counties and tribes; and to Washington residents. DES’ mission is to strengthen the business of government for a sustainable and just future. Learn more about DES.
About the Opportunity:
As an Investigations Specialist reporting directly to the Chief Human Resource Officer, you will serve as the agency’s senior-level authority overseeing the integrity and strategy of the investigative process for the Department of Enterprise Services (DES) and supported small agencies. In this role, you will lead complex, sensitive workplace investigations into personnel matters, ensuring all practices are objective, consistent, and legally defensible. Collaborating closely with HR Business Partners, the HR Labor Specialist, and agency executives, you will provide expert consultation on investigation strategy, policy interpretation, and discipline considerations. Ultimately, you will play a critical role in mitigating risk, ensuring compliance with employment laws and collective bargaining agreements, and aligning investigative approaches with broader operational and business needs.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
Some of What You’ll Enjoy Doing Includes:-
Lead and conduct complex, sensitive, and high-profile workplace investigations involving alleged misconduct, discrimination, and policy violations.
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Define investigation scopes, develop comprehensive investigation plans, and determine appropriate methodologies.
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Conduct interviews with complainants, respondents, and witnesses using effective and objective investigative techniques.
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Gather, analyze, and evaluate evidence from multiple sources to determine relevant facts and accurately assess credibility.
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Develop thorough, objective, and well-supported investigative reports containing clear findings and recommendations.
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Ensure all investigations strictly align with legal requirements, collective bargaining agreements, agency policies, and required timelines.
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Partner closely with HR Business Partners to develop investigative strategies and provide guidance on corrective and progressive discipline.
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Establish, monitor, and enforce standardized investigative processes and documentation to ensure high-quality, consistent, and legally defensible practices across all agency divisions and small agency customers.
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Ensure strict compliance with timelines, due process, agency policies, laws, and collective bargaining agreements while maintaining a clear separation of responsibilities from disciplinary decision-making.
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Maintain confidential tracking systems to compile and analyze investigation data, reporting on trends and risks to provide leadership with actionable recommendations for equitable employment practices.
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Provide expert consultation, policy interpretation, and training to leadership and supervisors on personnel investigations, while analyzing complex processes to recommend risk-mitigating courses of action.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
How to Apply: Interested? We would love to hear from you! Click “Apply” at the top of this page to start your application. You can save the application and come back to it, if needed. Be sure to complete the application fully to include a full work history and responses to the supplemental questions.
Please provide the following documents in order to be considered; failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position:-
A letter of interest that shows your personality and voice to describe why you are the successful candidate and how you meet the specific qualifications for this position
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A current resume, detailing experience, and education
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A current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information
Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (social security number, year of birth, etc.).
Please Note: By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed. A resume will not be substitute for completing the “duties summary” section of the online application.
Please do not refer to the resume for detail or your application may be disqualified.
Background Check Notice: Prior to any new appointment into the Department of Enterprise Services, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted as a condition of employment. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
Opportunity for All:
The Department of Enterprise Services celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws.
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 organization.
Contact Information:
For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact George Deguzman via email at
[email protected]. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
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