Investigator

District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS); Maryland; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) is seeking an Investigator to be based on-site in the Washington DC area. The role conducts thorough investigations into complaints, incidents, and policy violations involving students, staff, and school operations.

You will gather evidence, interview witnesses, review policies, and prepare detailed reports with findings and recommendations while collaborating with district leaders and legal or compliance staff to ensure timely, accurate investigations.

Qualifications

• Experience conducting investigations, including interviewing, evidence collection, fact-finding, and report writing.
• Knowledge of investigative procedures, laws, and regulations for schools or public agencies.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for complex situations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough, impartial investigations into complaints, incidents and policy violations.
• Gather and analyze evidence, interview witnesses and involved parties.
• Review policies and records; prepare detailed investigative reports with findings and recommendations.
• Collaborate with school leaders, central office teams, and legal/compliance staff to ensure timely investigations.

Skills

Interviewing

Evidence analysis

Written communication

Integrity

Confidentiality

On-site work

Equity and inclusion

Multi-case management

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's degree (criminal justice / public administration / education / law)

Tools

Office software

Case management systems

Job description

Company Description

District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) is the public school district serving more than 51,000 students across 117 schools in Washington, D.C. Through the work of approximately 4,000 educators and a dedicated central office team, DCPS is engaged in a comprehensive reform effort to become a leading urban school system. The district is committed to supporting high-performing, well-compensated, and respected educators, as well as central office professionals whose work drives instructional excellence and student achievement. DCPS seeks highly motivated individuals who are passionate about transforming public education and positively impacting students, families, school staff, and the broader community. Prospective applicants can learn more about DCPS and current opportunities on the DCPS homepage and Careers page, and stay informed via official social media channels.

Role Description

The Investigator is a full-time, on-site role based in the Washington DC-Baltimore Area, supporting DCPS in maintaining a safe, ethical, and compliant educational environment. This role conducts thorough, impartial investigations into complaints, incidents, and policy violations involving students, staff, and school operations. Day-to-day responsibilities include gathering and analyzing evidence, interviewing witnesses and involved parties, reviewing relevant policies and records, and preparing detailed investigative reports with clear findings and recommendations. The Investigator collaborates with school leaders, central office teams, and legal or compliance staff to ensure that investigations are timely, accurate, and aligned with district policies and applicable laws. This role may also assist in developing investigative protocols, supporting training on reporting and compliance procedures, and contributing to continuous improvement of DCPS investigative practices.

Qualifications

• Experience conducting investigations, including interviewing, evidence collection, fact-finding, and report writing.
• Knowledge of investigative procedures, applicable laws, and regulations related to schools, public agencies, or similar environments.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills to assess complex situations and reach objective conclusions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present findings clearly to diverse stakeholders.
• High level of integrity, discretion, and ability to handle confidential and sensitive information appropriately.
• Ability to work on-site, manage multiple cases concurrently, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, fairness, and creating safe, inclusive school communities.
• Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, public administration, education, law, or a related field; advanced degree or relevant certifications (e.g., in investigations or compliance) are a plus.
• Prior experience in K-12 education, government, legal, compliance, or human resources settings is strongly preferred.
• Proficiency with standard office software and case management or documentation systems.