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.
Required Qualifications:
Advanced proficiency is typically developed through progressively complex investigative assignments and demonstrated success applying investigative practices fairly, consistently, and objectively across diverse workplaces, employee groups, and labor environments. To qualify for this role, a candidate must possess demonstrated advanced proficiency in the following areas:
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Leading complex workplace investigations into misconduct, harassment, and policy violations while managing sensitive, confidential data with strict discretion.
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Gathering and analyzing evidence from diverse sources to reach objective, fact-based, and well-supported conclusions.
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Applying employment laws, agency policies, collective bargaining agreements, and investigative best practices consistently to ensure fair and equitable outcomes.
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Drafting clear, thorough, and legally defensible investigative reports, findings, and actionable recommendations.
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Communicating and collaborating effectively with employees, labor representatives, attorneys, and leadership while managing multiple competing deadlines.
Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Competencies
Incumbents to this position must possess and demonstrate the following competencies:-
Able to learn and understand the language and concepts of our DES DEI culture and commit to being a part of creating and maintaining a diverse, equitable, respectful, and inclusive workplace.
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Demonstrate a commitment to growth, learning and self-awareness when provided training and opportunities to participate in improving our work environment.
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Participate and behave in a manner that creates trust and builds working relationships, promoting teamwork and collaboration in the work environment.
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Demonstrate the understanding that all people are valued; contribute to an equitable, inclusive, and respectful environment when working with members of the group, team, organization, or community.
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Commit to being an active participant in continually evaluating and improving strategies that promote equity and inclusion in our organization.
Preferred Qualification:-
Seven (7) years* of progressively responsible human resources experience and/or education with a focus on workplace investigations, employee relations, labor relations, and conflict resolution. NOTE: *Education may substitute experience, year-for-year.
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Experience working in public sector Human Resources.
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Training in workplace investigations (e.g., EEO, Title VII, or comparable frameworks).
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Experience testifying in administrative or legal proceedings.
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:
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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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