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State of Washington

Civil Rights Investigator 4

State of Washington, Pasco, WA, United States


Salary: $5,959.00 - $7,971.00 Monthly

Location : Multiple Locations Statewide, WA

Job Type: Full Time - Permanent

Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number: 2024-HUM-008

Department: Human Rights Commission

Opening Date: 12/06/2024

Closing Date: 1/5/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step

Description

This posting may be used to fill a vacancy in Olympia or Spokane, Washington.

Application review will begin immediately. The hiring manager reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time, so it will be in your best interest to apply as soon as possible.

Schedule: The work schedule is Monday-Friday, 8AM to 5PM.
**These positions are eligible for remote/telework within Washington State three (3) days per week, with two (2) days in office. You may be required to work occasional evening or weekend hours as required to meet investigative needs for specific cases with occasional on-site visits to properties identified in discrimination complaints, including housing, businesses, and/or places of public accommodation, conferences, and training venues.

Agency Profile: The Washington State Human Rights Commission (WSHRC) was created by the Legislature in 1949, the WSHRC is responsible for administering and enforcing the Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD)The mission of the WSHRC is to eliminate and prevent discrimination in Washington State through the fair application of the law, efficient use of resources, and establishment of productive partnerships in the community.

What you will be doing:
This position supports/contributes to the mission of the organization, which is to eliminate and prevent discrimination. You will conduct investigations of discrimination complaints and will provide technical assistance and interpretation of application and enforcement of civil rights law, Commission policy and procedures, declaratory rulings and formal opinions of the Executive Director. You will be participating actively in outreach and education and provide expert guidance and leadership to Human Rights Commission staff in the areas of case investigation and analysis. Incumbents function independently with minimal guidance and supervision. You will provide training to the Investigator 1/2/3 positions, direction regarding priority of assigned tasks and duties, and will identify areas of focus and/or proposed case processing changes for supervisor consideration.

Duties

Some of what you'll enjoying doing includes:
  • Investigates complaints of discrimination, including complaints of a complex nature.
  • Reviews, analyzes and makes recommendations on reconsideration petitions.
  • Provides training to Human Rights Commission staff.
  • Develops training materials, guidance, and model forms/policies.
  • Conducts review of Investigator 1/2/3 case work including, but not limited to, intakes, draft complaints, investigative plans, interview memoranda, requests for information, findings, and settlement agreements.
  • Reviews individual Investigator 1/2/3 caseloads and provides guidance on prioritizing tasks and duties.
  • Acts as HUD/EEOC liaison in absence of Operations/Fair Housing Manager.
  • Provides highly specialized technical assistance and interpretation of application and enforcement of civil rights law and related laws, including, but not limited to: WSHRC RCWs and WACs, substantially similar federal statutes, Commission policy and procedural development, Declaratory Rulings and formal Opinions of the Executive Director, and Regulations and Guidelines.
Qualifications

REQUIRED:

Four (4) years experience as an Investigator 3

OR

Five (5) years of professional experience with major work assignments emphasizing civil rights law enforcement and/or investigation, Equal Employment Opportunity, Fair Housing, personnel administration, labor relations, alternative dispute resolution or related work.

NOTE:
  • Bachelor's degree with a focus on investigation, sociology, behavioral sciences, or other position-related areas will substitute for two (2) years of experience.
  • Masters in position-related field or law degree will substitute for three (3) years of professional experience.
PREFERRED:

WRITING & PRESENTATION SKILLS:
  • Ability to prepare detailed, well-reasoned formal determinations.
  • Work product seldom requires revision and is crafted to withstand legal scrutiny and federal partner-agency review.
  • Experience organizing and documenting work on complex investigations.
LEADERSHIP:
  • Demonstrated experience overseeing the work of others.
  • Ability to effectively communicate guidance to Level 1, 2 and 3 investigators, serve as a lead and direct the work of an investigative unit or team, and conduct review of work product.
PROFESSIONALISM:
  • Demonstrated ability to establish productive working relationships with diverse clients/constituents and adhere to ethics and confidentiality requirements.
  • Experience working in a neutral capacity (as opposed to advocate/agent/representative capacities).

Supplemental Information

Please provide the following documents in order to be considered; failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position:
  1. A letter of interest, describing how you meet the qualifications for this position as outlined in the job posting;
  2. A current resume, detailing experience, and education;
  3. A writing sample that shows any combination of the skills listed in the duties section of the posting; and
  4. A current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information (attached or available to provide at the time of interview)

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 substitute for completing the "duties summary" section or supplemental questions of the application. Please do not "refer to resume" for detail, or your application may be disqualified.
NOTE: This position is included in a bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).

Opportunity for All:
The Human Rights Commission celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities 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 Angie Anderson at (360) 407-8446 or email .

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.

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 (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 (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 , 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, are entitled to three (3) 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

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

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

Updated 12-31-2022

01

What is your level of education?
  • Some or no college
  • 1 year of college (30 semester or 45 quarter credits)
  • Associate's degree OR 2 years of college (60 semester or 90 quarter credits)
  • 3 years of college (90 semester or 135 quarter credits)
  • Bachelor's degree with a focus on investigation, sociology, behavioral sciences, or related field
  • Bachelor's degree in an unrelated field
  • Master's degree with a focus on investigation, sociology, behavioral sciences, or related field
  • Master's degree in an unrelated field


02

How many months of experience do you have as an Investigator 3?
  • 0-11 months
  • 12-23 months
  • 24-35 months
  • 36-47 months
  • 48 months or more


03

Select ALL you have experience with:
  • Civil Rights
  • Law Enforcement &/or Investigation
  • Equal Employment Opportunity
  • Fair Housing
  • Personnel Administration
  • Labor Relations
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution
  • Other Related
  • None of these apply


04

How many months of professional experience with major work assignments emphasizing civil rights law enforcement and/or investigation, Equal Employment Opportunity, Fair Housing, personnel administration, labor relations, alternative dispute resolution or related work do you have?
  • 0-11 months
  • 12-23 months
  • 24-35 months
  • 36-47 months
  • 48-59 months
  • 60 or more months


05

From the question above, briefly state and describe the experience AND state what job(s) this will clearly be found on your application.**If this does not apply to you, indicate "n/a" in this space.

06

Do you have experience investigating discrimination complaints?
  • Yes
  • No


07

From the question above, if yes, please note the relevant work experience listed in your application and describe the types of investigations you conducted.**If this does not apply to you, indicate "n/a" in this space.

08

Do you have experience facilitating settlement of disputes?
  • Yes
  • No


09

From the question above, if yes, please note the relevant work experience listed in your application and describe your experience facilitating settlements.**If this doesn't apply to you, indicate "n/a" in this space.

10

Do you have experience as a subject matter expert developing and providing training, guidance, and education?
  • Yes
  • No


11

If yes, please note the relevant work experience listed in your application and describe your experience developing and providing training, guidance, and education.**If this doesn't apply to you, indicate "n/a" in this space.

12

Have you been responsible for reviewing the work of others to ensure it meets established requirements?
  • Yes
  • No


13

If yes, please note the relevant work experience listed in your application and describe your experience reviewing the work of others.**If this doesn't apply to you, indicate "n/a" in this space.

14

Did you verify you have attached the cover letter, resume, and writing sample?
  • Yes
  • No


15

How did you hear about this job posting?
  • Careers.wa.gov / Governmentjobs.com
  • Friend
  • Indeed
  • Job Board
  • LinkedIn
  • Other


16

We would like to know where you heard about this position.If you selected College Job Board, Job Fair, Job Board, or Other, please let us know the specific name of the college, job board, or place you heard about this position.If you selected a specifically named job board or webpage (listed above), please enter "n/a".

Required Question