Investigator (INV1) - Greater Seattle Area
State of Washington
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Job summary
Washington State Department of Licensing is seeking a Field Investigator – Safety and Sanitation Inspections. You will conduct objective inspections of cosmetology industry businesses, educate licensees on laws, and take appropriate administrative actions to safeguard public safety across the state.
The role emphasizes communicating clearly with stakeholders, maintaining detailed records, and working to promote equitable licensing practices.
Qualifications
- Two years of professional investigative experience, including data collection and case writing.
- Experience in communicating with stakeholders and the public clearly.
- Ability to follow agency values of respect, trust, diversity, equity and inclusion.
- Ability to promote respectful, equitable, and inclusive services to customers.
- Education may substitute for experience.
- Travel statewide with overnight stays; valid driver’s license.
Responsibilities
- Travel throughout Washington to inspect cosmetology schools, apprentice salons, shops, and businesses for licensing, safety, and sanitation compliance.
- Conduct onsite inspections and regulatory reviews while independently planning travel and fieldwork.
- Educate licensees and business owners on laws, rules, and regulatory requirements to promote voluntary compliance.
- Document inspection findings, gather evidence, and prepare reports to support enforcement actions and complaint resolution.
- Maintain accurate records and regulatory documentation to ensure accountability.
- Coordinate regulatory activities with agency staff, management, and external partners.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
We are dedicated to growing a culture of belonging through our values:
Respect | Trust | Diversity | Inclusion | Equity
At the Department of Licensing (DOL), we recognize the importance of work life harmony and strive to create a culture where employees feel valued and respected. Our employees are trusted and encouraged to be a part of process improvements that impact their work, create value for our customers and help build trust in our government.
The Department of Licensing’s (DOL) Business & Professions Division (BPD) has 34 business and professional licensing programs and manages 132 license types. The agency and division’s purpose is "Helping every Washington resident live, work, drive, and thrive." Centralized Investigations and Audits Unit promotes public safety and customer protection through regulation and education. The goal is to provide public safety and welfare in all areas we license and to protect and preserve the investments and properties of the citizens of the state.
As an Investigator, you will be an integral part of this successful team. Using your focus and abilities, you will be conducting objective inspections into cosmetology industry businesses and take equitable and appropriate administrative action. Using your customer service expertise and your ability to effectively communicate and share best business practices through education of state laws to help prevent further issues. Furthermore, you will safeguard sensitive information and evidence collected during the inspection process. Your efforts will combine accountability, education, and detail inspection collection to help consumer confidence and business effectiveness across the state.
- Travel throughout Washington, with a focus on Western Washington locations, to inspect licensed cosmetology schools, apprentice salons, shops, and businesses for compliance with licensing, safety, and sanitation requirements.
- Conduct onsite inspections and regulatory reviews while independently planning travel and managing fieldwork.
- Educate licensees and business owners on laws, rules, and regulatory requirements to promote voluntary compliance.
- Document inspection findings, gather evidence, and prepare reports to support enforcement actions and complaint resolution.
- Maintain accurate records and regulatory documentation to ensure accountability and consistent application of licensing requirements.
- Partner with agency staff, management, and external partners to coordinate regulatory activities and support program goals.
What you will bring to the role:
- Two (2) years of professional investigative experience to include: identifying, collecting, organizing data and investigative case writing.
- Experience must include:
- Two (2) years of effectively identifying, collecting, organizing, and documenting data.
- Two (2) years of experience communicating effectively both verbally, and written when presenting to Stakeholders, Board and Commissions, or the public in a clear, concise, and accurate manner.
- Writing and documenting data in ways that make the information most useful for subsequent assessment, analysis, investigation, and discipline.
- The ability to:
- Understand and follow agency values of respect, trust, diversity, equity and inclusion through behaviors and decisions.
- Promote and support a respectful, equitable, and inclusive workplace for all employees.
- Promote and support respectful, equitable, and inclusive delivery of services to customers.
- The ability to take action to learn and grow.
- The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
Experience may be obtained concurrently.
Two (2) years of relevant education may substitute for one (1) year for experience.
- Experience with cosmetology, hair design, barber, manicurists, esthetics and master esthetics schools, and apprentice salon/shops.
- Training which includes dealing with difficult people; experience and training focused on dealing with difficult work situations and de‑escalation skills.
- Familiar with the basic functions of Microsoft Word, Outlook Email, and Excel spreadsheets.
- Experience with licensing issuance or regulatory license environment.
- While most investigations will be in the greater Seattle area, you must have the ability to travel throughout the state for investigations including overnight stays.
- A valid driver's license.
- Prior to a new hire, a pre‑employment screening, including criminal record history, will be conducted. Information from the pre‑employment check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.
DOL is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, we will take the steps to ensure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations.
For information about available accommodations, the interview process, or the position contact Kyle Odell.
Come join us in changing the way government delivers services and help build a legacy of commitment to and excellence in diversity, equity, and inclusion!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
The following information describes typical benefits available for full‑time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full‑time work (e.g. part‑time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full‑time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax‑deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long‑term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre‑tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well‑being of employees.
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre‑tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
If you are employed by a government or not‑for‑profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Full‑time and part‑time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full‑time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part‑time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro‑rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full‑time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Full‑time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full‑time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part‑time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full‑time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Full‑time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357‑31‑165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full‑time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part‑time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357‑31‑165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro‑rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full‑time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
As provided in WAC 357‑58‑175, an employer may authorize a lump‑sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357‑31‑165.
Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
Candidates who are offered a job with DOL must possess work authorization that does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future. Can you meet this requirement?
- Yes
- No
We value diverse perspectives and life experiences. We employ and serve people of all backgrounds including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, and veterans. We value the unique traits and attributes that each employee brings to the job. Through the diverse perspectives of an inclusive workforce, we will create a more respectful, productive, and unified team to better serve the public of Washington.
To take advantage of your veteran / military spouse preference please attach documentation of eligibility to your application.
The Washington State Department of Licensing is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex (including gender identity), marital status, sexual orientation, race, religion, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.
Persons requiring accommodation in the application process, during the recruitment process, or who need this job announcement in an alternative format, may contact the Human Resources Office at 360‑902‑4000 or may email HRRecruit@dol.wa.gov. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call our ASL interpreter via Video Phone at 360.339.7344.
The candidate pool certified from this recruitment may be used to fill future similar vacancies for up to sixty days.
W e do not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.
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