L&I Investigator 2

Our Mission: Keep Washington Safe and Working!
Our Values: Customer Focus, One L&I, Respect, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Learning and Growth, Reliability

Job Highlights

Join the Labor & Industries Investigations Program and help identify, combat and prevent fraud, theft and abuse of Washington’s worker’s compensation. We are currently hiring an Investigator 2 to work in our Special Investigations and Out-of-State Investigations Unit.

In this position, you will be responsible for conducting investigations related to Washington’s Industrial Insurance Act (Article 51, RCW). This position conducts investigations of injured workers who live outside of Washington. You’ll coordinate with private investigators to conduct surveillance of claimants, which you will use to conduct investigations into claimant activities. Additionally, this position will support other elements of the Investigations Program, including Claim Inquiry and Special Investigations.

Reporting to the Special Investigations and Out-of-State Unit Supervisor, this position is a function of the Investigations Program.

This position supports the agencies’ mission, to prevent abuse of the workers’ compensation system and protect the economic vitality of Washington State. This position investigates allegations of fraud, theft, or other inappropriate activity perpetrated by injured workers, employers, and providers.

Duties

Duties:

• Conduct civil and criminal investigations of workers to determine if they are working while collecting benefits or are misrepresenting their injuries.
• Conduct investigations to determine if injury claims have merit.
• Collect and analyze medical records and other documents related to claimant history, activities and abilities.
• Interview claimants, complainants, employers and witnesses.
• Compile and preserve evidence, facts and findings in a clear and concise manner, addressing allegations and supporting conclusions of claimant abilities.
• Prepare and submit detailed, concise and well written investigation reports.
• Present case findings to L&I claim managers, adjudicators and attorneys.
• Testify at trials and hearings.
• Edit surveillance video to create packages to be viewed by medical providers, adjudicators and others.
• Maintain high standards of ethics, integrity and professionalism in all investigative activities and interactions with the public.
• Crosstrain with other Investigations Program teams such as the Industrial Insurance Discrimination and Medical Provider units.

Salary

• $57,252 - $76,958/year

Qualifications

Required:

One year of experience as an Investigator 1.

OR

Three years’ experience as an investigator with criminal justice government agency or private organization, or other directly allied field.

NOTE: Two years of related college-level course work may be substituted for experience.

Qualifying investigative experience is interpreted as experience gathering and substantiating facts through the use of investigative duties such as:

• Researching records and developing case files;
• Gathering and preserving documentary evidence:
• Obtaining statements of fact, depositions or confessions;
• Obtaining and serving subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses or the production of records;
• Conducting field surveillance;
• Obtaining and serving of search warrants;
• Advising parties of their constitutional rights;
• Writing investigative reports, establishing proof of facts and evidence sufficient to be used in a court of law or administrative hearing;
• Reviewing cases with attorneys;
• Presenting completed investigation materials to adjudicators, case managers or local, state and federal prosecutors;
• Testifying in court or other proceedings.

Required Equity Competencies:

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

AND

Must possess a valid and unrestricted driver license.

Desired:

Criminal investigations degree from a two-year program consisting of 60 credit hours focusing on fundamentals of proper evidence handling, law enforcement techniques and interrogation.

OR

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with major focus in the areas of criminal justice, forensic data analysis, auditing or closely related fields.

• Strong organization skills

• Ability to prioritize

• Detail-oriented

• Clear and concise written communicator

• Experience with researching data from multiple sources

Demonstration of position-specific skills, abilities and competencies:

Knowledge of methods, principles, standards and techniques of criminal and civil

investigations, interviewing techniques, rules of evidence, chain of custody of evidence, laws of arrest, search and seizure; Miranda Warning.

Experience in investigative report writing.

Apply Washington State statutes and Federal and State regulations pertaining to area of investigation.

Knowledge of specialized terminology within area of investigation.

Auditing, record keeping and bookkeeping.

Gather, preserve, and present relevant and pertinent evidence without arising undue or undesirable comment among employers, friends, business agents, or neighbors.

Interpret and apply Washington State statutes and Federal and State regulations.

Write and speak clearly, concisely, accurately and informatively.

Exercise mature judgment in wide variety of public contacts.

Other Information

Things You Need To Know:

To help you maintain a proper work-life balance, teleworking is one of the work schedule options for this position. L&I also offers flexible custom work schedules.

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.

For this position, the expectation is 100% in-office schedule during the probation period. After which telework is dependent upon business needs and supervisor approval. The assigned duty station for this position is Tumwater Washington.

To receive more information on opportunities at L&I sign up for GovDelivery and select L&I job alerts.

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 required and desirable qualifications described in the announcement.

Please include the following documents with your application:

1. A cover letter describing specific qualifications.
2. A current resume detailing applicable experience and education.
3. A list of at least three professional references with current telephone numbers.

Please do not attach or place any medical information (vaccination status included) within the application, resume, or cover letter. If you do, we will have to reject your application to safeguard others from receiving your confidential information. You will have to remove the confidential information before you can apply again.

To learn more about our hiring process timeline at L&I please visit our L&I recruiting page at Hiring Process at L&I. If you would like to read our website in a language other than English, scroll up to the top of the page to select your language of choice from the banner.

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.

• 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.

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 Jobs@lni.wa.gov.

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 April Sharp.

Benefits

More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026