DSHS OOS Employee Relations Unit Investigator

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Paid holidays

Sick leave

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Job summary

State of Washington seeks an Employee Relations Unit Investigator within the Department of Social and Health Services to lead complex workplace investigations, guide leadership on policy compliance, and ensure fairness across a large public service agency.

The role requires strong analytical thinking, independent judgment, and clear communication with leadership, employees, legal partners, and external agencies. Classified as a WMS1, it emphasizes collaboration and process improvement.

Qualifications

• At least seven years of paid professional experience in HR, investigations, or related fields.
• Equivalent education and/or experience may be substituted for the years of experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and conduct routine and complex workplace investigations into policy violations and misconduct.
• Analyze evidence and prepare concise investigative reports to support fair, legally compliant decisions.
• Support compliance and risk management through confidential data handling and timely record-keeping.
• Lead, train, and coach programs and HR partners; promote consistent investigation practices and process improvements.

Skills

Investigations

HR consultation

Civil rights investigations

Analytical thinking

Written communication

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Picture yourself doing deeply meaningful work—using your investigative skills, sound judgment, and ability to navigate complex situations to ensure fairness, accountability, and equity across a large public service agency.

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is seeking an Employee Relations Unit Investigator to join the Human Resources Division within the Office of the Secretary. In this role, you will conduct complex and routine workplace investigations and provide expert guidance to leadership to ensure compliance with laws, policies, and collective bargaining agreements.

You will lead and support investigations involving allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and other forms of employee misconduct. Your work ensures that such allegations are dealt with factually and helps ensure protection for the public, employees, and DSHS by creating a record of the facts and evidence found, and when appropriate, may also serve as a basis for discipline.

This position requires strong analytical thinking, independent judgment, and the ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing with a wide range of stakeholders, including leadership, employees, legal partners, and external agencies.

This role is classified as a WMS1.

Some Of What You’ll Do

Conduct Investigations

• Lead and support routine and complex workplace investigations into policy violations concerning all forms of employee misconduct, discrimination, and harassment.
• Create investigation plans and schedule and conduct investigative interviews necessary to present key findings of fact.
• Review, request, and analyze evidence obtained through verbal and written statements, records, video, various electronic data and other available forensic documentation.

Analyze & Report

• Collect and objectively analyze evidence as it relates to policies and procedures.
• Correlate alleged behavior with applicable policies.
• Prepare clear, concise, well‑organized investigative reports outlining facts and providing analysis to support consistent, fair, and legally compliant decision‑making.

Support Compliance & Risk Management

• Maintain confidential data and information as required by applicable laws and DSHS policies.
• Maintain timely records of investigation status using program approved software and systems.
• Provide information and analysis to support a determination of appropriate corrective action and/or agency wide risk‑mitigation.

Lead & Develop Others

• Provide training, coaching, and technical guidance when requested to programs and HRD partners.
• Adhere to and promote consistent and timely investigation practices.
• Provide input for continuous process improvement and protocols designed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of employee relations investigations.
• Work collaboratively with team members, union partners, employee relations leadership and stakeholders.

Knowledge And Experience

Who we want as our newest teammate

• At least seven years of paid professional experience of the following:
• Providing human resources consultation and/or managing human resource staff.
• Conducting investigations into employee misconduct and/or civil rights investigations.

Equivalent education and/or experience may be substituted for the years of experience.

Skills And Abilities

• Experience in a legal or investigative setting requiring a high degree of knowledge of legal or investigative concepts, issues, and analysis.
• Professional experience and training in investigative/paralegal/law enforcement work.
• Professional experience and training in analysis of complex issues and data analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to author clear concise, thorough and grammatically correct writings.
• Demonstrated ability working with multidisciplinary groups, securing cooperation across departments, and working collaboratively with diverse individuals and teams.
• Knowledge and clear understanding of employment civil rights laws pertaining to harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.

Questions?

Contact [e-mail] and reference job number 08497

Supplemental Information

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. 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 job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver’s license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at [phone]. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

Relationship and Reporting Structure (Neptromism) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here. Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.

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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

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.

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 accrual of sick leave.

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.

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