Wage and Hour Compliance Specialist 1 (CS1) Bilingual English/Spanish Preferred

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Salem (OR); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Wage and Hour Compliance Specialist 1. This full-time role focuses on ensuring compliance with wage laws in Oregon. Responsibilities include research, analysis, and collaboration with various stakeholders. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong analytical skills and may be required to communicate in both English and Spanish.

Benefits

Work/life balance

Vacation, sick leave, and personal days

Cost of Living Adjustments

Annual salary increases

Comprehensive benefits package

Advancement opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience working productively with a moderate to high caseload.
• Demonstrated skill analyzing facts to establish adherence to laws.
• Knowledge of public contracting regulations is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with prevailing wage rate laws.
• Train audiences on wage and hour programs.
• Research public works projects for compliance interventions.

Skills

Analytical skills

Research skills

Public speaking

Bilingual Spanish

Education

Two years’ experience doing administrative research

Driver’s license valid in the state of Oregon

Job description

Initial Posting Date:

06/12/2025

Application Deadline:

07/07/2025

Agency:

Bureau of Labor and Industries

Salary Range:

$4,409 - $6,123

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Wage and Hour Compliance Specialist 1 (CS1) Bilingual English/Spanish Preferred

Job Description:

***Current Internal State of Oregon Employees please use your Workday account – go to Career – Internal – Find Jobs to apply.

***All others – To apply for this position, click on the "Apply" link above to fill out the online application and submit by the posted closing date and time.

The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) is proud to be an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer committed to workforce diversity. We welcome members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQIA2S community members, and others to apply.

BOLI has an opening for one Compliance Specialist 1 (CS1)) position in the Wage and Hour Division- Prevailing Wage Rate Unit.

This permanent position will be based in either our Portland, Salem, or Eugene office. The successful candidate may also be eligible to work a hybrid schedule based on business need.

This is a permanent, full-time , SEIU Special Coalition represented position. This recruitment may be used to fill additional vacancies as they occur.

What's In It For You

• Permanent, full-time employment
• Work/life balance, vacation, sick leave, 11 paid holidays a year, and personal days off
• Employee Resource Groups
• Cost of Living Adjustments.
• Annual salary increases (until you reach the top of the listed salary range).
• Amazing benefits package.
• Advancement opportunity within BOLI and other State agencies
• Opportunity to expand your technical and professional skills
• Work with others who are passionate about public service
• Make a difference in the lives of Oregonians
• Possible eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

What You Will Be Doing

The Wage and Hour Division- Prevailing Wage Rate Unit effects compliance and/or enforcement among Oregon businesses, public agencies, quasi-public agencies, and political subdivisions of the state as to all the various wage and hour laws (listed above) administered by the Bureau of Labor and Industries, with an emphasis on Prevailing Wage Rate Laws.

Below is a sample of job duties. It is not meant to encompass all duties.

Coverage Determinations, Research, and Analysis

Research and identify potential public works projects, businesses and/or industries through the daily journal commerce (DJC), OregonBuys, and internet searches for on-site inspections or investigations. Collaborate with PWR Investigators assigned prevailing wage cases on compliance intervention strategies responsive to trends, problems and areas of non-compliance.

Research and apply statutes, rules interpretations, agency policies, case law, and related federal law to requests for coverage determinations to determine the applicability of prevailing wage rate laws to a project.

Prepare a determination that carries that weight of a final order and that sets out the facts and conclusions as to whether a proposed project is subject to prevailing wage rate laws.

Prepare case files for hearing before an Administrative Law Judge,

including but not limited to drafting memoranda citing legal analysis and

testifying at hearing, to represent the agency’s position in the coverage

determination.

Collaboration, Education, and Outreach

Provide training and education regarding wage and hour and prevailing wage rate programs to audiences of the general public, state, county and city agencies, or other interested business or labor groups upon request, in person at designated locations including but not limited to construction job sites, and virtually through Microsoft Teams and other platforms, to ensure compliance with prevailing wage rate laws.

Make referrals to other agencies as appropriate, including but not limited to: Oregon Housing and Community Services, Oregon Department of Transportation, and any other “public agencies” for the purposes of prevailing wage laws, and respond to general inquiries from public agencies, contractors, and workers related to Wage and Hour and Prevailing Wage Rate matters in the office location, by telephone, and/or by e-mail on a regular basis to ensure compliance with prevailing wage laws.

Participate in task forces within the agency, or with interagency task forces to align efforts in common areas of enforcement. Research changes in state or federal labor laws.

Recommend procedural changes to improve program delivery.

Why Join Us

Our mission...

The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries is a state of Oregon agency. Led by Labor Commissioner Christina Stephenson, the Bureau of Labor and Industries protects workers’ rights through enforcement of state labor laws, ensures access to housing and public accommodations free from discrimination for all Oregonians, and promotes the development of a highly skilled workforce through registered apprenticeship programs. BOLI has offices in Portland, Salem, and Eugene.

With over 150 employees located in three BOLI offices and/or remotely working all over the state of Oregon, BOLI is dedicated to supporting those who live and work in Oregon through the administration and enforcement of administrative rules and laws.

Working Conditions :

The general work schedule is Monday – Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm

Daily contact with employees, contractors, subcontractors, contracting agencies, witnesses, and others who may be hostile, angry or otherwise emotionally volatile. Must be able to maintain objectivity, negotiate and resolve adversarial and emotional disputes with tact and diplomacy. Interviews and on-site investigations will be conducted at the employers’ work sites which may be indoors or outdoors. Work sites may be hot, cold, wet, cramped and/or dirty. Position requires occasional evening and/or weekend work and occasional travel to perform field work that may involve overnight stays.

This position is also in an office environment and requires regular use of computer and phone equipment for primary duties. It presents frequent interruptions and requires production work. There is frequent interaction on a regular basis by phone, e-mail, correspondence and in person.

This Is What You Need to Qualify :

• Two years’ experience doing administrative research that included compiling and evaluating facts to recommend management action or decide eligibility or compliance with program guidelines and regulations.

Note: college-level course work may substitute for the experience on the basis of 45-quarter units per year of experience

Driver’s license valid in the state of Oregon and acceptable driving record required.

The ideal candidate will possess the following desired skills and attributes:

• Experience working productively with a moderate to high caseload
• Demonstrated skill analyzing facts to establish whether a project is subject to prevailing wage rate laws
• Experience interpreting/explaining complex laws, rules, regulations and/or policies
• Experience writing narrative reports sufficient for use at administrative hearings or in court
• Knowledge of public contracting regulations and experience working with construction contractors, subcontractors, and workers is preferred
• Preference may be given to candidates who are able to speak, read, and write Spanish fluently

How to Apply

• Click on the "Apply" link above to complete your online application and submit by the posted closing date.

• Attach your current resume and cover letter addressing how you meet the minimum qualifications and essential attributes for this position. Failure to attach requested documents may result in your application being removed from consideration. These attributes will be used to determine which candidates move forward in the process.

• Be sure to check Workday and your email for additional tasks and updates . After submitting there may be additional required tasks for you to complete prior to the announcement closing.

• Please save a copy of this job announcement for your reference, as it may not be available for you to view after the job closes. If you have questions about the job announcement, please contact the Recruiter.

Additional Information

• Employment will be contingent upon passing a criminal background check.

• Work Authorization - The Bureau of Labor and Industries does not offer visa sponsorships . Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States. If you are the successful candidate, you must present your I-9 acceptable documents for employment verification.

• The use of outside resources such as Artificial Intelligence software during applicant skill assessments, examinations, and/or interviews is prohibited. Unauthorized use of outside resources during the hiring process will result in disqualification.

Employment Preference

Veterans’ preference:

• Eligible Veterans who meet the qualifications will be given veterans preference. If you check that you are a veteran, we will confirm your documents in the process. Click on the following link for additional information: Veterans’ preference information.
• Please do not attach your Veterans’ preference documentation in the Resume/Cover Letter field of your application.

Helpful Links

Understanding the State Application Process

Help & Support web page

Learn more about Oregon

Contact Information

We invite you to contact the recruiter for accommodation requests under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), application questions or job-specific questions.

• The recruiter for this position is Michelle Ochoa. If you contact the recruiter, please include the job requisition number in the subject line of your email: REQ-181472.
• Email: [e-mail]
• Phone (call or text): [phone]