AGO Senior Investigator/Analyst | Environmental Protection Division | Seattle

State of Washington; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 82,000 - 111,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

King County Location Pay 5%

Dual Language Requirement Pay 5%

Job summary

Washington State Office of the Attorney General in Seattle seeks a permanent AGO Senior Investigator/Analyst to lead investigations in the Environmental Protection Division. This senior role involves handling complex criminal environmental cases, coordinating with state and federal partners, and ensuring rigorous investigative standards.

The position offers a salary range of $82,440 to $110,952 annually, with King County and Dual Language stipends possible.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and ten years of experience conducting investigations, with authority to independently plan and conduct investigations in civil or criminal cases.

Responsibilities

• Develop and prosecute environmental crimes in Washington in collaboration with public and law enforcement.
• Collect, analyze, and process tips and complaints to develop complex investigations.
• Conduct witness interviews and gather evidence; draft warrants and certifications for probable cause.
• Review statutes and regulations to evaluate potential prosecutions; assist in all aspects of prosecution.
• Provide training to agencies on environmental investigations; coordinate multi-agency meetings.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Interviewing

Researching information

Workload management

Knowledge of laws/regulations

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at [e-mail] . Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1-800-676-3777 or www.washingtonrelay.com.

Position and Salary

The Attorney General’s Office is recruiting for a permanent full time AGO Senior Investigator/Analyst in the Environmental Protection Division. This position is located in Seattle, Washington, and is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).

AGO Senior Investigator/Analyst Salary Range 66: $82,440 - $110,952 (Annual)
The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate’s job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience.

The following stipends may apply based on position requirements:

• Incumbents assigned to our Seattle office location receive an additional 5% King County Location Pay stipend.
• Incumbents assigned to a position designated as requiring dual language skills will receive a 5% Dual Language Requirement Pay stipend.

The AGO provides a workplace that is understanding of work-life balance and promotes advancement by offering a wide variety of professional development and growth opportunities.

Excellent benefits

Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation, including Medical/Dental/Vision for employees & dependent(s); Vacation, Sick, and Other Leave; 11 Paid Holidays per year; Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) plans; and Life Insurance. Beyond these traditional benefits, we offer Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave, and more. With the goal of employee health and wellness, we also offer:

• Flexible schedules and part-time/hybrid telework options;
• A Wellness Program, an Infants in the Workplace Program, and the Employee Assistance Program, which provides counseling, webinar, and other cost-free support resources;
• Numerous employee-driven affinity groups to foster community and connection, including Bereavement, Elder Care, Parenting, POC, LGBTQ+, Veterans and more. The AGO is a place to belong and make a difference!

About the Environmental Protection Division

The Environmental Protection Division seeks a senior investigator to initiate and lead investigations of environmental crimes, joining a team of dedicated, talented attorneys and professional staff.

The investigator hired to fill this position will handle or assist in all phases of criminal environmental investigation and enforcement cases for the Environmental Protection Division. Areas of enforcement include illegal dumping, habitat destruction, disposal of hazardous and solid waste, illegal removal or disposal of asbestos, and fish and wildlife crimes including unlawful trafficking in endangered species. The Environmental Protection Division prosecutes cases such as State v. Electron Hydro, State v. Perez, State v. Boss, State v. Smith, State v. Pillon. This position will work with partners across a wide variety of local, state, and federal agencies, including the Department of Ecology, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Duties and Essential Functions of an AGO Senior Investigator/Analyst

• Working closely with the public, local and statewide law enforcement, state and federal agencies, and AGO attorneys to develop and prosecute environmental crimes in the State of Washington.
• Collecting, analyzing, and processing tips and complaints from a myriad of sources to develop complex criminal environmental investigations.
• Conducting witness interviews; collecting, taking, and analyzing evidence; reviewing financial statements and documents; drafting search warrants and certifications for determination of probable cause.
• Reviewing and analyzing environmental statutes and regulations, permit conditions, inspection and clean-up reports to evaluate potential criminal prosecutions.
• Assisting in all aspects of criminal prosecution, including serving subpoenas, coordinating witness attendance and testimony, attending and testifying in court hearings and jury trials.
• Serving as a consultant to statewide agencies and local law enforcement departments for the investigation of environmental crimes.
• Providing training to local, statewide law enforcement, and prosecutorial agencies regarding all aspects of environmental criminal investigations.
• Organizing, facilitating, and leading meetings of investigators of multiple stakeholders from an array of agencies to discuss environmental crimes investigations and enforcement.
• Working to promote the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.

This recruitment announcement may be used to fill multiple open positions for the same classification, in addition to the position(s) listed in this announcement.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and ten (10) years of experience conducting investigations, which include the authority to independently plan and conduct investigations in civil or criminal cases.

OR

Five years’ experience as an AGO Investigator/Analyst.

Additional qualifying investigative experience may substitute year for year for education.

Required Occupational Competencies

• Analysis - Uses and presents data and information in a clear and rational thought process to assess and understand issues and events; evaluate and form accurate conclusions and make decisions.
• Interviewing/Interrogation - Uses effective techniques when obtaining sworn statements and in conducting witness/subject interviews in ways that enhance clarity, information flow and reliability of information; uses multiple sources; uses tact in broaching subjects of a sensitive nature. Maintains objectivity consistent with professional standards and requisite training; post interview.
• Researching and Gathering Information - Effectively identifies, collects, organizes and documents data and information in ways that make the information most useful for subsequent assessment analysis and investigation or responsiveness to discovery.
• Workload/Caseload Management - Prioritizes and handles multiple competing case assignments and urgent situations, integrating many factors into case decisions and priorities.
• Knowledge of Laws, Rules, Statutes and Regulations - Possesses a thorough understanding of federal and state governmental laws, rules, regulations and statutes, and initiates compliance in a way that is fair, objective and reasonable; serves as a model of ethics and integrity in carrying out investigative activities.
• Interpersonal Relationships/Interpersonal Skills - Demonstrates responsible behavior; is polite, courteous, cooperative, flexible, and maintains emotional control and objectivity in work situations. Is respectful to all persons and demonstrates empathy.

Conditions of Employment

A background check consisting of employment history, professional references and educational verification (e.g., degree, license, or official transcript) may be conducted. Prior to any offer, the applicant selected will be required to submit to and pass a fingerprint‑based criminal background check conducted by the Washington State Patrol, Criminal Records Division. The incumbent will submit to additional background checks as a condition of employment every five (5) years thereafter.

A valid non‑probationary Washington State Driver's License is required for this position in order to legally operate state vehicles.

About the Washington State Office of the Attorney General

The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) touches the lives of every resident in this state. We serve more than 230 state agencies, boards, commissions, colleges and universities, as well as the Legislature and the Governor. The Office is comprised of nearly 700 attorneys and 800 professional staff, all working together to deliver the highest quality professional legal services to Washington state officials, agencies, and entities. This includes:

• Economic justice and consumer protections (safeguarding consumers, protecting youth, seniors, and other vulnerable populations)
• Social justice and civil rights (addressing discrimination, environmental protection, and veteran and military resources)
• Criminal justice and public safety (investigative and prosecutorial support, financial crimes)
• And much more!

Commitment to Diversity

Diversity is critical to the success of the mission of the AGO. This means recognizing, respecting, and appreciating all cultures and backgrounds-- and fostering the inclusion of differences between people. Appreciating, valuing and implementing principles of diversity permits AGO employees to achieve their fullest potential in an inclusive, respectful environment.

One recent measure of the AGO's commitment to diversity can be found in its nomination for Rainbow Alliance and Inclusion Network's"Outstanding Agency Award" in 2019. Our commitment to employee wellness is reflected in earning the 2024 Zo8 Washington Wellness Award.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Accommodations Requests

Honoring diversity, equity and inclusion means that as an agency, and as individuals, we are committed to ensuring that all employees and volunteers enjoy a respectful, safe and supportive working environment. Only by fostering the inclusion of people from all backgrounds, cultures and attributes, can AGO employees and volunteers achieve their fullest potential and best advance the goals and mission of the AGO.

The AGO is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation/gender identity, age, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, retaliation or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at [e-mail]. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1-800-676-3777 or www.washingtonrelay.com.

For questions regarding this recruitment or assistance with the application process, please contact the recruitment team at [e-mail]. If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at [phone] or [e-mail].