L&I Industrial Relations Agent 3

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); Remote; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Washington's Department of Labor & Industries is seeking an Industrial Relations Agent 3 to enforce the Pregnancy Accommodation law and conduct complex investigations. You will work with workers, employers, and unions, applying state labor standards and coordinating with the Attorney General's Office as needed.

The role involves independent investigations, preparing formal reports, testifying in proceedings, and negotiating settlements when necessary.

Qualifications

• Four years of experience as an Industrial Relations Agent 3 or closely related field.
• OR a Bachelor's Degree and three years of experience in labor/employment relations and regulations, investigation of complaints, and interpretation of employment standards.

Responsibilities

• Investigate alleged violations of the Pregnancy Accommodation law.
• Communicate with employers and employees regarding the law during active investigations, including explaining rights and remedies.
• Interview witnesses and review documentation related to the Pregnancy Accommodation complaint.
• Determine validity of complaints by applying statutes, rules and policies.
• Negotiate, remediate or resolve complaints and draft remedies or alterations in the workplace.
• Prepare case files for appeal or litigation and testify in proceedings.
• Identify barriers for employers and provide educational assistance on Pregnancy Accommodation requirements.

Job description

• A cover letter describing specific qualifications.

Description

Our Mission: Keep Washington Safe and Working!
Our Values: Customer Focus, One L&I, Respect, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Learning and Growth, Reliability
Please Note: This recruitment represents 2 permanent positions.

Job Highlights

Join us in keeping Washington safe and working as an Industrial Relations Agent 3 in the Pregnancy Accommodation Unit. In this role, you will enforce RCW 49.92 and related laws by conducting workplace investigations involving pregnancy accommodation. You will apply specialized knowledge of state labor standards, collaborate with the Attorney General’s Office when needed, and work directly with workers, employers, labor unions, and other stakeholders. This position plays a key role in providing education, ensuring legal compliance, and educational assistance.

This position will be required to conduct independent investigations of a complex nature, prepare formal reports of findings, draft recommendations of enforcement and testify in appeal hearings or before other deliberative bodies. This position requires the ability to mediate or negotiate settlements between employees and employers.

Duties

Some Of What You’ll Do

• Investigate alleged violations of the Pregnancy Accommodation law.
• Communicate with employers and employees regarding the Pregnancy Accommodation law during active investigations, including explaining legal terminology, covered rights, remedies, and the investigation process.
• Communicate with employers and employees via phone, e‑mail, in person and letters to resolve complaints or provide education.
• Interview witnesses, request and review documentation related to the Pregnancy Accommodation complaint.
• Determine validity of Pregnancy Accommodation complaints by applying statutes, rules and policies.
• Negotiate, remediate or resolve complaints including determining correct remedies or financial restitution for an aggrieved worker or requiring changes to the work environment to eliminate potential future violations.
• Prepare case files for appeal or litigation if the underlying dispute is not resolved through mediation or negotiation.
• Testify in administrative or judicial proceedings.
• Identify barriers for employers and provide educational assistance regarding the Pregnancy Accommodation requirements under RCW 49.92 and other related rules.

Qualifications

Required:

Four years of experience as an Industrial Relations Agent 3 or closely related field

OR

A Bachelor's Degree

AND

Three years of experience in one or more of the following:

• labor/employment relations and regulations
• collection of revenue/taxes from employers/businesses
• investigation of complaints of misconduct; audit of employer financial records
• interpretation and explanation of rules and regulations regarding employment standards, prevailing wages, wage and hour, and child labor laws
• other related experience.

OR

Additional qualifying experience will substitute for education at the rate of one year of experience for one years of education

AND

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Supplemental Information

Things You Need To Know

To help you maintain a proper work-life balance, teleworking is one of the work schedule options for this position. L&I also offers flexible custom work schedules.

State employees who meet the qualifications will become eligible for a generous retirement package at the end of the employee’s career. Click on the “Benefits” tab to learn more.

At L&I, your voice matters. In addition, L&I is a diverse state agency dedicated to the safety and health and security of Washington's 3.3 million workers. Take a look at this brief video and learn more about why L&I is an employer of choice.

For this position, teleworking is permitted full time. The assigned duty station may be in any of our L&I service locations statewide excluding King County. The incumbent must reside anywhere in Washington State, as well as those living near the Oregon/Washington or Idaho/Washington boarders.

For positions where in-office work is necessary, the frequency of telework will be discussed with the supervisor of the position at the time of offer.

To receive more information on opportunities at L&I sign up for GovDelivery and select L&I job alerts.

Application process

We will contact the top candidates directly to interview for this position. Because we base the selection on information provided by you, it is in your best interest to identify the knowledge, skills, and abilities that address the required and desirable qualifications described in the announcement.

Please Include The Following Documents With Your Application

• A cover letter describing specific qualifications.
• A current resume detailing applicable experience and education.
• A list of at least three professional references with current telephone numbers.

Please do not attach or place any medical information (vaccination status included) within the application, resume, or cover letter. If you do, we will have to reject your application to safeguard others from receiving your confidential information. You will have to remove the confidential information before you can apply again.

To learn more about our hiring process timeline at L&I please visit our L&I recruiting page at Hiring Process at L&I. If you would like to read our website in a language other than English, scroll up to the top of the page to select your language of choice from the banner.

Background Check Notice

Prior to a placement in this position, a background check, including criminal history record will be conducted. Information from your background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining your eligibility to perform the requirements of the position.

Other Information

• For positions requiring travel, you must have a valid unrestricted driver’s license and have insurance if driving a privately owned vehicle on state business.
• This position is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).
• Candidates who are offered a job with L&I must possess work authorization that does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future.
• The Department of Labor & Industries complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements of the federal employment eligibility verification form, I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form on the first day of employment.
• Please note: L&I may use this announcement to fill multiple permanent and/or non-permanent positions.

Did You Know?

Washington is America's Top State to live, play, and work, according to U.S. News (2021). Join the L&I team and enjoy all the Evergreen State has to offer.

In addition to offering a positive balance between life and work, L&I provides one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation. We also believe your voice matters. We value our employees and their work-life balance by encouraging flexible schedules. L&I is a diverse state agency dedicated to the safety and health and security of Washington's 3 million workers.

Veterans Preference

Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference should attach to their application a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as Social Security numbers. For further information, contact L&I’s [e-mail].

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

L&I employees come from all walks of life. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

We believe in the importance of recognizing the value each of us contribute to the success of the agency mission. Having a diverse workforce is this agency’s greatest resource of strength and knowledge. It is through the combination of talents and abilities that we can pursue finding effective measures to provide the best customer service. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone and we strongly mean everyone.

The State of Washington is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with a disability who need accommodation in the application process or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call 360-902-5700. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our award-winning diverse and inclusive organization.

For more Information

If you have any questions regarding this job posting, program, or the agency, please contact Haleigh Missildine (she/her/hers).

More than Just a Paycheck!

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