Inspector General

McPhail Sanchez, LLC

Seattle (WA)

On-site

USD 120,000 - 190,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

The King County Council invites applications for the Inspector General position, an independent, executive role established to promote integrity and accountability in county operations. You will lead investigations and oversight on fraud, waste, abuse, improper payments, and procurement integrity, while coordinating with the Office of Public Complaints.

As director of this new agency, you will operate with autonomy and make high-stakes decisions, reporting to the Council and collaborating with

Qualifications

Advanced degree required in law, compliance, public administration, public policy, accounting/finance, business, or related field.
Experience leading investigations, audits, or accountability programs in public sector.
Strong ethics, judgment and ability to operate independently in a high-visibility role.

Responsibilities

Lead independent investigations and oversight of fraud, waste, abuse, and procurement misconduct.
Establish and manage a fraud-reporting hotline and intake systems; triage and coordinate responses.
Conduct proactive risk inspections across contracts, grants, procurements, and operations.
Exercise subpoena power and act within applicable law and best practices for investigations.
Refer matters to authorities and pursue recovery of funds where appropriate for the County.

Skills

Investigative Expertise

Legal & Regulatory

Executive Leadership

Emotional Intelligence

Communication & Analysis

Independence & Integrity

Technology & Hybrid Capabilities

Education

Advanced degree in law/compliance/public administration/public policy/accounting/finance/business

Job description

The King County Legislative Branch invites applications for the position of Inspector General.

The Inspector General provides independent oversight to promote integrity, accountability, and stewardship of public resources, with a primary focus on the financial integrity of County business. Serving as co-director with the King County Ombuds under the umbrella of the Office of Public Complaints, the Inspector General leads investigations, inspections, and oversight activities related to fraud, waste, abuse, improper payments, procurement integrity, grants, contracts, and the misuse of County resources.

As the director of a newly created independent agency in the King County legislative branch, this is a high-profile executive role requiring exceptional autonomy, investigative rigor, sound judgment, and political acumen. The successful candidate will navigate complex operational and politically sensitive issues with independence, impartiality, and the highest standards of integrity.

The Inspector General is an exempt, executive-level position, that is appointed by the King County Council to an initial five-year term and subject to successive five-year reappointments. This position reports administratively to the Chair of the King County Council, functionally to the Council as a whole, and has a dotted-line relationship to the Council Chief of Staff.

King County Council

The Metropolitan King County Council oversees the second-largest government and the most populous county in Washington State. As the legislative branch of county government, the Council sets policies, enacts laws, and adopts budgets that guide an array of services. The King County Council is responsible for approving King County’s biennial budget, which is $20.16B in 2026-2027. Each of the nine members of the King County Council represents a geographical district of about 241,000 residents. Councilmembers are elected on a non-partisan basis and serve four-year terms.

About King County

King County has a very strong and resilient economy and an environment where people and businesses thrive. Located on Puget Sound in Washington State, and covering 2,307 square miles, King County is nearly twice as large as the average county in the United States. With more than 2 million people, it also ranks as the 12th most populous county in the nation.

Comprised of 39 cities, King County is truly an international destination with over 100 languages spoken in the region and 30 million visitors annually. King County is home to the City of Seattle, suburban cities, small towns, islands, and rural communities, as well as forests, bodies of water, and farmlands.

King County continues to build on an enduring legacy of shared values of equity and social justice, employee engagement, innovative thinking, and continuous improvement. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda aimed at advancing regional change and is developing the systems and standards necessary to achieve better outcomes for its residents, regardless of their race or income.

Key Responsibilities

Investigations, Inspections & Complaint Management

Lead Investigation and Oversight: Direct independent, objective investigations into allegations involving fraud, waste, abuse, corruption, theft, procurement misconduct, grant/contract irregularities, and asset misuse.
Hotline & Intake Management: Establish and manage a dedicated fraud-reporting hotline and reporting mechanisms for employees, vendors, contractors, and the public; triage complaints and coordinate responses.
Targeted Inspections: Conduct proactive compliance and risk inspections across County contracts, grants, procurements, and operational programs.
Investigative Authority: Exercise subpoena power and authority available through the Office of Public Complaints in accordance with applicable law and best practices.
Referrals & Recovery: Refer matters involving criminal conduct, personnel action, or civil recovery outside the Inspector General’s jurisdiction to appropriate authorities and seek recovery on behalf of the County to recover wrongfully spent funds.

Fraud Prevention & Financial Accountability

Risk & Vulnerability Analysis: Identify systemic vulnerabilities, fraud patterns, and emerging risks across procurement, improper payments, and financial stewardship.
Policy Guidance & Advisory: Analyze complaint, investigation, and financial data to inform policy decisions; advise the County Council and officials on fraud-risk management and accountability.
Public & Workplace Awareness: Promote reporting channels and collaborate across County offices to heighten fraud awareness and institutional integrity.

Office Administration & Strategic Leadership

Agency Operations: Establish and administer the Office of the Inspector General, developing internal policies, investigative protocols, case management standards, and operational priorities.
Team Management: Recruit, supervise, mentor, and evaluate professional and administrative staff.
Budget & Work Planning: Manage office budgets, contracts, and operations; develop strategic annual work plans; produce annual reports; and brief Councilmembers and legislative leadership.
Engagement and External Affairs: Build productive relationships with the Ombuds Director, County Auditor, Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, executive agencies, law enforcement, and external oversight bodies.

Knowledge, Skills & Core Competencies

Investigative Expertise: Advanced knowledge of fraud examination techniques, evidence preservation, public sector procurement, contracting, and grant oversight.
Legal & Regulatory:Thorough understanding of public administration, ethics codes, federal/state/local laws, and King County Code provisions.
Executive Leadership & Emotional Intelligence: Strong leadership and team-building skills, coupled with high emotional intelligence to handle high-stakes conflicts, sensitive investigations, and high-profile public settings.
Communication & Analysis: Superior written and verbal communication skills to translate complex findings into clear, accessible public reports and Council briefings.
Independence & Integrity: Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a high-visibility, politically sensitive public environment while maintaining strict impartiality and credibility.
Technology & Hybrid Capabilities: Proficiency with modern workplace technology, data analysis applications, cloud systems, and hybrid work tools.

Education & Experience Requirements

Education: Advanced degree in law, compliance, public administration, public policy, accounting/finance, business, or closely related discipline.
Experience: Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in investigations, fraud examination, government audits, law enforcement investigations, or accountability/compliance.
Leadership Experience:Must include at least 4 years directly managing professional staff or leading a major investigatory program.
An equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be considered.

Preferred Certifications

Highly desirable professional certifications include (one or more of the following):