Investigator

Seattle Public Schools; Washington; On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Seattle Public Schools seeks a Civil Rights Investigator to conduct fact-finding investigations or mediated resolutions to reports of employee misconduct, harassment, HIB, discrimination, and sexual harassment. The role supports building-level investigations involving staff misconduct and student-related incidents.

The position emphasizes intake interviews, evidence collection, and drafting investigative reports, with ongoing collaboration across district offices and community partners.

Qualifications

• Must conduct prompt and thorough investigations and interviews.
• Maintain confidentiality and manage evidence.
• Draft investigative reports and resolution documents.
• Collaborate with school/district admins and external agencies.
• Uphold civil rights, harassment, and discrimination policies.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and case files.

Responsibilities

• Conduct intake interviews and fact-finding.
• Interview and collect documentary evidence.
• Manage complaint case files (physical and electronic).
• Draft investigative reports and resolution documents.
• Facilitate alternative dispute resolution with Director of Investigations & Compliance.
• Develop relationships with students, parents, and district stakeholders and community agencies.
• Establish processes for investigations and advise managers on interview techniques and evidence handling.
• Assist in clearance of applicants with criminal charges and related documentation.
• Consult with administrators to develop safety plans and student intervention measures.
• Attend meetings to stay current on civil rights issues and workplace investigations.

Skills

Investigations

Interviewing

Evidence collection

Report drafting

Confidentiality

Communication

Collaboration

Decision making

Job description

The individual in this position, under general supervision of the Director of Investigations & Compliance, conducts fact-finding investigations or mediated resolutions to reports or complaints submitted to the district regarding allegations of employee misconduct, harassment, intimidation, bullying (HIB), discrimination, and sexual harassment. This individual will also provide support to school building administrators who are conducting building-level investigations involving staff misconduct concerns, and who are responding to informal reports or complaints of HIB, sexual harassment, and discrimination involving students. At the discretion of the Director of Investigations & Compliance, an individual in the Investigator classification can be identified with a working title of Civil Rights Investigator (focusing on resolving civil rights complaints), Title IX Investigator (focusing on resolving reports or incidents of sexual harassment or sexual assault) or HR Investigator Specialist (focusing on resolving complaints of employee misconduct).

• 60%
  • Responsible, under supervision, for implementing the district’s policies and procedures regarding reports of employee misconduct, harassment, intimidation, bullying (HIB), sexual harassment, and discrimination. Tasks include, but are not limited to:
    • conducting intake interviews;
    • collaborating with school and district administrators, Security Specialists, and others on investigations;
    • conducting fact-finding tasks, including interviewing and collecting documentary evidence;
    • managing complaint investigation case files, in both hard copy and electronic formats;
    • drafting investigative reports and complaint resolution documents for review by appropriate district officials.
    • facilitating alternative dispute resolution options regarding student concerns in conjunction with the Director of Investigations & Compliance.
• 20%
  • Develops and maintains positive relationships with students, parents, and district stakeholders and community agencies, including labor partners, Seattle Police Department, and Child Protective Services. Shares information with appropriate agencies following district and department protocol.
• 10%
  • Establishes and maintains processes and standards for investigations based on best practices and current technologies. Acts as a key resource in investigative methods, and advises managers and supervisors about interview techniques and the collection/maintenance of evidence.
• 5%
  • Supports on the clearance of prospective District applicants who have criminal charges associated with their fingerprints. Includes, where needed, gathering relevant documents for the Director of Investigations & Compliance to complete determination on eligibility, and working with Business Partners on whether applicant is cleared for hire.
• 5%
  • Consults with school administrators, staff, and community agencies regarding identified students to develop and monitor safety and remedial action plans when needed; works collaboratively to create student intervention alternatives that are developmentally and culturally appropriate, matched with the level of identified risk and inclusive of parental involvement.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

• Attends meetings, conferences, and seminars to maintain current knowledge of conducting investigations, civil rights issues and employment, including workplace investigations; monitors current research, trends, issues and practices in the area of civil rights enforcement and communicates findings, as appropriate.
• May perform other related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position.

DISTRICT-WIDE CORE COMPETENCIES:

Collaboration

Develops cooperation and teamwork while participating in a group, working toward solutions which generally benefit all involved parties.

• Is seen as a team player who encourages efficient and effective collaborations.
• Works skillfully in difficult situations with both internal and external groups.
• Represents his/her own interests while being open-minded to other groups.
• Builds respectful and productive relationships internally and externally.

Getting Results (Action Oriented)

Performs work with energy and drive; values planning, but will take quick, decisive action when an opportunity presents itself.

• Demonstrates a strong sense of urgency about solving problems and getting work done.
• Focuses on achieving the goal even in the face of obstacles.
• Assumes responsibility for starting and finishing work with minimal supervision.
• Strives for new levels of performance.

Decision Quality & Problem Solving

Uses analysis, wisdom, experience and logical methods to make good decisions and solve difficult problems with effective solutions; appropriately incorporates multiple inputs to establish shared ownership and effective action.

• Weighs the consequences of options before making a decision.
• Applies appropriate criteria to situations for the purpose of making decisions.
• Displays self-confidence in own judgment.
• Focuses in the facts and solutions instead of opinions and problems.

Integrity

Is widely trusted; is seen as a direct, truthful individual; presents truthful information in an appropriate and helpful manner; keeps confidences; admits mistakes; doesn't misrepresent him/herself for personal gain.

• Deals with people and situations in an honest and forthright manner.
• Represents information and data accurately and completely.
• Represents the confidentiality of information and concerns shared by others.
• Takes ownership if a mistake is their own and does not blame others.

Accountability

Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely and cost-effective results; determines objectives, sets priorities and delegates work; accepts responsibility for mistakes; complies with established control systems and rules.

• Takes responsibility and action as if the risks (financial or otherwise) are his or her own.
• Holds individuals and team accountable for their actions and results.
• Initiates action even if outcome is uncertain and is willing to accept the consequences of failure.
• Aligns own activities and priorities to meet broader organizational needs.
• Demonstrates courage and confidence in his or her own ability.

Written Communications

Is able to write clearly and succinctly in a variety of communication settings and styles; can get messages across that instigate appropriate actions.

• Writes clearly and succinctly in a variety of communication settings and styles
• Organizes and presents information in writing in a clear and convincing manner.
• Uses appropriate writing style and tailors writing to meet the needs of the audience.
• Uses correct spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Planning

Accurately determines the length and difficulty of tasks and projects; sets clear, realistic, and measureable goals; sets priorities and time parameters to accomplish tasks and projects; anticipates roadblocks and develops contingencies to redirect tasks so momentum is not lost.

• Accurately determines the length and difficulty of tasks and projects
• Sets clear, realistic, and time-bound objectives and goals
• Breaks down work into the process steps
• Sets priorities and time parameters to accomplish tasks and projects

Organizing

Can marshal resources (people, funding, material, and support) to get things done; can orchestrate multiple activities at once to accomplish a goal; uses resources effectively and efficiently; arranges information and files in a useful manner.

• Keeps accurate and current records in a logical organizing system that is accessible to all people
• Orchestrates multiple activities to accomplish a goal
• Enlists resources (people, material, funding, support) to get things done efficiently

Time Management

Uses his or her time effectively and efficiently; concentrates his or her efforts on the most important priorities; adeptly handles several tasks at once.

• Uses his or her time effectively and efficiently
• Adeptly handles several tasks at once
• Considers the short, medium, and long term while attending to a broad range of activities

Managing Relationships

Responds and relates well to people in all positions; is seen as a team player, and is cooperative; looks for common ground, and solves problems for the good of all.

• Relates well to all kinds of people inside and outside of the organization.
• Works to create win-win scenarios.
• Shares appropriate information to find common ground.
• Puts own agenda aside in order to achieve organization's goals.

Conflict Management

Successfully mediates conflict between individuals and groups; can hammer out tough agreements and settle disputes equitably; can find common ground and obtain cooperation with minimum noise.

• Deals effectively with others in tough situations.
• Expresses disagreements in a way that does not disparage or attack others.
• Demonstrates the ability to expand areas of agreement and narrow areas of disagreement.
• Recognizes differences in opinion, brings them into the open and looks for win-win solutions.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Working knowledge of current laws, regulations, and guidelines related to civil rights, employment, and labor law in education or educational organization.
• Must have comfort around persons of authority
• Conduct prompt and thorough investigations, including fact-finding interviews and evidence collection
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with individuals and groups from diverse communities
• Maintain confidentiality and discretion when dealing with sensitive information
• Ability to work under pressure and deadlines
• Takes individual initiative and is accountable for effort and work
• Adapts to change well and remains flexible.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with district staff

Desired:

• Training in conducting workplace, civil, or criminal investigations
• Training in conducting child forensic interviews

OTHER FACTORS:

• May occasionally be required to be available in early evenings for investigatory activities.