Employee Relations Investigator

Pierce-County-Washington; Tacoma (WA); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Pierce County is seeking an Employee Relations Investigator to conduct high-volume, complex investigations, advise managers on performance and disciplinary actions, and develop findings to support management decisions in a represented public-sector environment.

You will work at the intersection of employee relations and labor relations, collaborating with the Labor and Employee Relations team to shape best practices and accountability across the County.

Qualifications

• Four years of professional experience in legal, HR, judicial, or law enforcement environments.

Responsibilities

• Advise and counsel managers on employee relations matters, including discipline and performance issues.
• Conduct independent investigations of alleged policy violations and misconduct.
• Interview complainants, respondents, witnesses, and others as part of investigations.
• Collect, preserve, and analyze documentary, electronic, and other evidence.

Skills

Investigations

Interviewing

Evidence gathering

Policy analysis

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Why It's a Great Opportunity:

You’ll conduct high-volume, complex workplace investigations, gathering evidence, interviewing employees and witnesses, evaluating findings, and preparing investigative and disciplinary documents. You’ll also advise managers through sensitive performance, misconduct, corrective action, and disciplinary matters, helping them understand the why and how behind sound employee relations practices. You’ll work at the intersection of employee relations and labor relations, applying your investigative expertise in a represented public-sector environment. You’ll have the opportunity to help develop the direction of the Employee Relations Investigator through building effective practices and defining how this role works alongside the existing Labor and Employee Relations team. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact while helping establish a new approach to employee relations investigations across the County.

Why It's a Great Department:

Pierce County Human Resources supports the workforce that supports all of Pierce County. We deliver innovative, specialized services to support a high-performing and diverse workforce. We provide guidance, support and expertise on performance management, protected leave, County policies, state law and many other topics. You’ll join a collaborative, professional, and mission-driven team committed to serving all County employees. The Human Resources department embraces a modern work environment where members of our team have flexibility and autonomy. Within the department hybrid and remote work are the norms, and we maintain a consistent, intentional focus on continuous improvement, the pursuit of excellence, and a welcoming workplace culture.

For more information about our organization, please here.

How to Be Successful in the Role:

You’ll be successful if you’re a strong, objective investigator who can manage a high volume of sensitive matters while staying organized and meeting deadlines. You’ll use your ability to analyze complex information, ask the right questions, evaluate conflicting information, and clearly communicate well-supported findings and recommendations. You’ll serve as a trusted advisor to managers, helping them navigate performance, corrective action, misconduct, and disciplinary matters while maintaining neutrality and confidentiality. You’ll bring an understanding of collective bargaining environments and know when to partner with Labor and Employee Relations on contract or employee issues. Most importantly, you’ll bring sound judgment, strong communication skills, and the ability to build trust while remaining independent and objective.

Your Future in this Role:

A career with Pierce County means joining an organization invested in your growth. Through leadership development, robust online learning, and a variety of training opportunities, we provide continuous professional development at every stage. This commitment empowers you to contribute meaningfully while advancing your skills and supporting resilient communities, reliable infrastructure, and equitable outcomes for all.

Core Daily Responsibilities:

Employee Relations

• Advise and counsel managers and supervisors regarding employee relations matters, including workplace misconduct, performance management, corrective action, documentation, and discipline.
• Consult with supervisors and managers regarding appropriate responses to employee conduct and performance concerns, including assessing the nature and severity of an issue, identifying appropriate corrective measures, and ensuring consistent application of County policies and procedures.
• Assist management in developing and implementing performance improvement strategies, including establishing performance expectations, identifying deficiencies, documenting performance concerns, and determining appropriate follow-up.
• Review and provide guidance regarding disciplinary and corrective action matters, including preparation of counseling memoranda, performance improvement plans, letters of reprimand, suspension notices, termination recommendations, and other disciplinary or corrective documents.
• Draft disciplinary, corrective action, performance management, and other employee relations correspondence for review and approval by appropriate Human Resources and department leadership.

Investigations

• Conduct independent administrative investigations involving alleged violations of County policies, Standards of Conduct, workplace misconduct, and, as assigned, complaints involving alleged discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or other EEO-related concerns. Employee Relations Investigator.
• Receive and assess complaints to determine investigative scope, identify applicable policies, and develop investigation plans.
• Conduct thorough interviews of complainants, respondents, witnesses, supervisors, and other individuals.
• Collect, preserve, review, and analyze documentary, electronic, video, and other forms of evidence.
• Evaluate credibility of witnesses using accepted investigative methodologies.
• Analyze conflicting evidence and determine findings based upon a preponderance of the evidence or other applicable evidentiary standard.
• Prepare clear, concise, objective investigative reports documenting allegations, evidence, findings of fact, credibility assessments, policy analysis, and conclusions. Prepare investigative findings, disciplinary recommendations, corrective action documents, and other written materials to support management decision-making.

A classification description with a more detailed list of essential functions can be found here.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Four (4) years of professional experience relevant to the work of this position within a legal, human resources, judicial or law enforcement environment or similar field.
• Attach a resume.

• This position is remote for those residing in or relocating to Washington State. There are occasional in-person meetings and in-person contract bargaining meetings. This can mean once or twice per month for a few months of the year but also could be a few times per week during bargaining.
• As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed case-by-case and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.

Demonstrated Proficiencies

• Demonstrated strong proficiency in conducting investigations including performing witness interviews, gathering, preserving, and analyzing facts, information, and evidence, and developing written reports.
• Demonstrated strong proficiency in drafting formal letters and/or reports; applying robust
• documentation, analysis, and information gathering skills.
• Demonstrated experience providing guidance or consultation regarding employee relations matters, such as workplace misconduct, performance management, corrective action, or discipline.
• Demonstrated proficiency using Microsoft Suite office products including Excel, Work, One Note, Outlook, and Teams.
• Demonstrated proficiency in maintaining detailed investigative files and well-organized notes and documentation in accordance with legal requirements and records retention schedules.
• Successful experience and proficiency in exercising sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism when handling confidential and highly sensitive matters

Our Recruitment Practices:

This is a competitive and meritorious selection process. Pierce County applications are reviewed by human hiring staff in accordance with the qualifications listed for the position. Pierce County understands applicants may use AI tools when preparing application materials. We recognize these tools can make the process easier; however, we ask that everything you submit genuinely reflects your own experience, skills, knowledge, and writing style.

During the interview process, you may be asked to demonstrate your skills, including writing and subject knowledge, and to speak to your experience in your own voice. Applicants should be prepared to respond to interview questions without relying on AI-generated responses or reading prepared answers from a screen. Any misrepresentation may result in disqualification or separation.

Applicants whose qualifications most closely align with the County’s needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status typically occurs within two to three weeks after the closing date. Some applicants may receive short notice to participate in additional selection steps, which may include assessments, phone screens, or interviews.

Upon offer, compensation is based on a range of job-related factors, including the requirements of the role, your skills and experience, and internal pay equity.

Our Welcoming Workplace Commitment:

Pierce County is committed to fostering a Welcoming Workplace where employees are supported, respected, and able to thrive. We believe a strong public workforce is representative of the community it serves and that fair and just access to opportunity strengthens public service.

Guided by the County Executive’s Forward Together mission, Pierce County works to build communities that are safe, welcoming, and connected. This same commitment shapes how we recruit, develop, and retain our employees. County employees make a direct and visible impact in the lives of residents every day, and we invite you to join us in helping keep Pierce County a place people are proud to call home.