Wage & Hour Investigator I

State of North Carolina; Wake Village (TX); On-site; USD 39,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

The North Carolina Department of Labor seeks an Investigator I to enforce wage-hour and related statutes, performing on-site audits and investigations of employers. The role requires evaluating records, interviewing witnesses, and negotiating back wages where due.

A valid driver’s license and willingness to travel are essential. Spanish is preferred; bilingual candidates fluent in English and Spanish are encouraged.

Qualifications

• Spanish preferred; bilingual English/Spanish strongly encouraged.
• Knowledge of Wage and Hour Act and FLSA.
• Experience conducting investigations and reviewing records.

Responsibilities

• Conduct wage-hour and related investigations of employers.
• Interview employees, employers and witnesses to verify information.
• Evaluate findings, calculate wages due and negotiate back wages.
• Prepare case documents and assist with litigation as needed.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Wage & Hour law

Investigation experience

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting or law enforcement

Job description

Agency

Dept of Labor

Division

Standards , Inspections Division

Job Classification Title

Wage And Hour Investigator I (S)

Position Number

60013011

Grade

NC08

About Us

The North Carolina Department of Labor is charged by statute with promoting the health, safety and general well-being of the workers in the state. The laws and programs the Department administers affect every worker in the state. The Department is organized into three primary divisions which carry out the Department’s principle regulatory, enforcement and promotional programs, and the administrative operations. The three primary divisions have divisions, bureaus and offices under each, which carry out the specific and specialized portions of the NCDOL mission. The Department employs approximately 385 employees. To learn more about the NC Department of Labor, please visit our website at https://www.labor.nc.gov/.

Description of Work

The Investigator I is responsible for achieving compliance with the Wage and Hour Act, E-Verify Act, Controlled Substance Examination Regulation Act (CSERA), Expunction of Records Act, Private Personnel Services Act (PPS), and Job Listing Services Act (JLS) by employers subject to these laws.

Investigations are conducted in the office and/or on-site at business locations. The position requires driving a state-owned and/or privately owned vehicle; therefore, a current and valid driver’s license is required.

Investigations may include audits of time and payroll records, employment policies and practices related to the payment of promised wages, jobs and hours worked by minors, and procedural compliance with the E-Verify, CSERA, Expunction, PPS, and JLS Acts. The Investigator I interviews employers, employees, and other witnesses to verify the accuracy of records, policies, and other information obtained during an investigation.

The Investigator I evaluates investigative findings to determine compliance or identify violations, calculates wages due when applicable, negotiates for the payment of back wages, and works to ensure identified violations are corrected. The investigator prepares computer-generated reports documenting the findings of each case, including supporting witness statements and other relevant documentary evidence.

When back wages or penalties are not paid, the Investigator I works with a supervisor, the Legal Affairs Division, and the Attorney General’s Office, as applicable, to support litigation or other appropriate enforcement action.

The Investigator I also serves as a resource to employers, employees, and other members of the public by providing information and assistance to promote voluntary compliance with applicable laws. The investigator is expected to develop and maintain a thorough knowledge of applicable state and federal wage and hour laws and regulations, as well as a general understanding of the scope and functions of other agencies responsible for enforcing employment-related laws.

The Investigator I may provide oral presentations to the general public on applicable laws, as requested or assigned, and performs other related duties as directed orally or in writing by appropriate members of management.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Management Preferences

NC08

Salary Range: $39,244–$68,679

Max Recruitment salary $58,673

Job postings close at 11:59 p.m. the night before the listed Posting End Date.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Management Preferences

• This is a Spanish-preferred position. Management prefers bilingual candidates who are fluent in speaking, reading, and writing in both English and Spanish.
• Considerable knowledge of the legal aspects of administering the North Carolina Wage and Hour Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), including applicable Attorney General opinions, state and federal court rulings, and the investigator’s authority to subpoena records and conduct audits.
• Considerable knowledge of the types of businesses subject to the Wage and Hour Act and an understanding of the types of wages paid to employees of these businesses.
• Ability to apply federal and state laws, rules, and regulations to specific inquiries and complaints.
• Ability to identify contradictions in information obtained through observations, interviews, and reviews of employer records.
• Ability to analyze and interpret diverse employer record-keeping systems and, in the absence of records, reconstruct records to determine wage liabilities.
• Ability to mediate claims effectively and work toward satisfactory resolution for all parties.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to consult, train, and serve as a resource within the assigned service area.
• Considerable knowledge of administrative and judicial procedures in state and federal jurisdictions.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, direct, and coordinate cases using effective case management and time-management practices.
• Demonstrated experience conducting investigations.
• Demonstrated experience interpreting laws and statutes.

Management prefers candidates with knowledge of labor and employment laws directly related to the Bureau’s legislative mandates, particularly the Wage and Hour Act, Medical Payment Law, Controlled Substance Examination Regulation Act, Private Personnel Services Act, Job Listing Services Act, E-Verify Act, and Expunction of Criminal Records law.

Candidates with thorough knowledge of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), related federal regulations and court opinions, and the methods, procedures, and practices used to investigate alleged violations are also preferred.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting or law enforcement from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of experience in work that provides considerable understanding of wage and hour laws or work involving the application of advanced investigative techniques, auditing, case management; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

All candidates hired must submit to pre-employment drug testing and a possible background check.