Employment Standards Investigator I

Commonwealth of Kentucky; Kentucky; Remote; USD 36,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

37.5-hour work week

Paid time off

Overtime eligibility

Health insurance

Life insurance

Retirement

Wellness incentives

Training and career development

Deferred Compensation (401K)

Employee discounts

Job summary

Commonwealth of Kentucky is seeking an Employment Standards Investigator I to conduct entry-level inspections and investigations of employers and public works projects to ensure compliance with labor laws. The role includes on-site audits, report writing, and follow-up on settlements with agencies within the Wage and Hour Branch.

The position requires occasional travel, a 37.5-hour work week with overtime as needed, and offers benefits including health insurance, retirement, and paid time off;

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree required.
• Experience, training, or skills: NONE.
• Substitute EDUCATION for EXPERIENCE: Experience in inspection, auditing, or analysis of accounting/financial/payroll records or in a math-related field may substitute for required education.
• Substitute EXPERIENCE for EDUCATION: NONE.

Responsibilities

• Under direct supervision, performs entry level inspections and investigations of employers and public works construction projects to ensure compliance with state and federal labor laws such as wage and hour, child labor violations, recordkeeping and exemption of coverage.
• Learns to accurately record reports such as the Report of Findings, Final Report, Notice of Violation to employer, and weekly or daily log; keep division management apprised of case status and submit all records and reports.
• With guidance, interviews employees and employers and substantiate complaints and determine if violations exist; when violations are found, discuss with employers and employees and, when possible, come to amicable agreements for wages due and for future compliance.
• Follows up with employers on cases with settlement agreements to ensure compliance.
• Attends meetings, seminars and training sessions as required.

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Employment Standards Investigator I

Advertisement Closes: 10/10/2026 (11:59 PM ET)

Pay Grade: 12

Salary: $3,550.40 Monthly

Employment Type: EXECUTIVE BRANCH | FULL TIME | ELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME PAY | 18A | 37.5 HR/WK

Hiring Agency: Education & Labor Cabinet | Department of Workplace Standards

Location

Location Varies

This position requires routine travel to and from the workstation, as it is crucial for conducting on-site audits and investigations. This travel component is integral to the role's responsibilities. The position could be called to inspect locations throughout Kentucky as needed. During initial training, the position will require overnight travel to Frankfort for several weeks. This position offers a remote workstation based on the selected candidate’s home address in the following counties: Fayette, Bourbon, Clark, Estill, Garrard, Jackson, Jessamine, Lee, Lincoln, Madison, Montgomery, Owsley, Powell, and Scott.

Description

The Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet advances education, workforce development, and economic opportunity across the Commonwealth. The Cabinet provides education and training programs, employment and reemployment services, unemployment insurance, and disability determination services to help Kentuckians gain skills, find work, and maintain economic stability. It partners with education providers, workforce boards, and employers to align training with labor market needs and oversees labor programs that promote fair and safe workplaces.

The Division of Wages and Hours is seeking an Employment Standards Investigator I in the Wage and Hour Branch. This position will perform entry-level duties in the investigation of business establishments and public works construction projects to ensure compliance with Kentucky and Federal Labor laws.

This position will have access to confidential and sensitive information. The successful candidate will be required to ensure the safeguarding and security of all confidential and sensitive information and will be required to complete trainings, sign acknowledgments, follow all policies, and adhere to all statutes and requirements pertaining to the safeguarding and security of confidential and sensitive information while employed and after employment ends.

• Under direct supervision, performs entry level inspections and investigations of employers and public works construction projects to ensure compliance with state and federal labor laws such as but not limited to: wage and hour, child labor violations, recordkeeping and exemption of coverage.
• Learns to accurately record reports such as but not limited to: the Report of Findings, Final Report, Notice of Violation to employer, and weekly or daily log. Keep division management apprised of case status and submit all records and reports to division management in a timely manner.
• With guidance, interviews employees and employers and substantiate complaints and determine if any violations of labor laws exist. When violations are found, hold discussion with employers and employees and when possible come to an amicable agreement for wages due and for future compliance, as approved by division management.
• Follows up with employers on cases with settlement agreements to ensure compliance with the agreement.
• Attends meetings, seminars and training sessions as required.

When you join our team, you will:

• Be rewarded with a fulfilling and challenging career
• Have promotional opportunities as you progress through your career
• A 37.5-hour work week (with occasional overtime required)
• Paid time off (sick and vacation) plus paid holidays
• Overtime and compensatory time
• Affordable health insurance with optional Health Reimbursement Account
• Life insurance
• Retirement
• Wellness incentives program
• Training and career development opportunities; paid continuing education
• Optional Deferred Compensation program (401K)
• Employee discounts on electronics; health and wellness; retail; travel, events and entertainment; and services and education

We look forward to the opportunity to meet you.

The Education and Labor Cabinet (ELC) participates in E-Verify. It will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. The Cabinet will only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed Form I-9. For more information on E-Verify, or if you believe that ELC has violated its E-Verify responsibilities, please contact the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at 999-897-7781 or https://www.e-verify.gov/.

Minimum Requirements

EDUCATION:

Graduate of a college or university with a bachelor's degree.

EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, OR SKILLS:

NONE

Substitute EDUCATION for EXPERIENCE:

NONE

Substitute EXPERIENCE for EDUCATION:

Experience in the inspection, auditing, or analysis of accounting, financial, or payroll records or in a math related field will substitute for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (AGE, LICENSURE, REGULATION, ETC.):

NONE

Working Conditions

Work is typically performed in an office setting. Occasional travel will be required to perform inspections of business records and establishments.

Probationary Period

This job has an initial and promotional probationary period of 6 months, except as provided in KRS 18A.111.

If you have questions about this advertisement, please contact Conner Brown at [e-mail] or 502-564-0753.

An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D