L&I Industrial Relations Agent 3

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); Remote; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Washington in Olympia is seeking an Industrial Relations Agent 3 to enforce pregnancy accommodation laws by conducting complex investigations. You will work with workers, employers, unions, and other stakeholders to provide education, ensure compliance, and support educational initiatives.

The role requires handling independent investigations, drafting findings, and potentially testifying in appeal hearings or judicial contexts. Strong negotiation and mediation skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Four years of experience as an Industrial Relations Agent 3 or closely related field.
• Bachelor's Degree OR three years of experience in one or more of: labor/employment relations and regulations; collection of revenue/taxes; investigation of misconduct; interpretation of employment rules.
• Additional qualifying experience may substitute for education.

Responsibilities

• Investigate alleged violations of the Pregnancy Accommodation law.
• Communicate with employers and employees regarding the law during active investigations.
• Interview witnesses and review documentation related to the complaint.
• Determine validity of complaints by applying statutes and policies.
• Negotiate, remediate or resolve complaints and determine remedies or changes to the work environment.
• Prepare case files for appeal or litigation and testify in proceedings.

Skills

Investigations

Negotiation

Legal knowledge

Education & outreach

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Three years in labor relations, tax collection, investigations, or employment standards

Job 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.

• 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 bytheWashington 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.

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.