See INVESTIGATOR 1.

Directs a statewide program of investigations for an agency with responsibility for planning, developing, implementing, and directing all investigative policies, procedures and activities statewide.

Positions provide expert guidance and consultation to top-level managers, agency investigative teams, legal counsel and public and private entities within assigned program area.

A statewide program would include but not be limited to: public benefits; workplace investigations; and fraud.

Interacts and investigates vulnerable adult/child abuse, sexual assault, homicides, rapes and other violent crimes, sexually violent predator offenses and incarcerated individuals;

Develops, implements and administers statewide investigations of internet fraud regarding public benefits;

Provides quality assurance, improvement and oversight of investigative programs;

Develops policies, procedures, controls and administrative systems pertaining to investigative activities and issues appropriate directives and memorandums;

Directs implementation of new methods and revised techniques for investigations;

Consults with and provides expert advice to legal counsel, public and private employer, special interest groups, owners, managers, public officials, union officials, real estate brokers and personnel managers;

Functions as the principle advisor to the program manager on all matters involving investigation and prosecution of fraud;

Plans and directs the development and implementation of the annual and biennial budget; develops detailed policies and procedures to be utilized by investigative and support staff;

Develops, implements and administers statewide investigations of vendor fraud, i.e., doctors, pharmacies, nursing homes, laboratories, hospitals and other providers of Title XIX services;

Subpoenas witnesses, administers oaths, takes testimony and completes the production of books, papers, records and documents;

Participates in the development and supervises the execution of all search warrants to include the seizure of all items ordered by the court;

Plans, directs and supervises the investigation of transactions or activities which are questionable under the securities laws, franchise and camp club acts, real estate laws and professions laws;

May supervise lower level staff;

Performs the duties of the lower levels in the series;

Performs other work as required.

Knowledge of: methods, principles, standards and techniques of criminal and civil investigations; interviewing techniques; rules of evidence; chain of custody of evidence; laws of arrest, search and seizure; Miranda Warning; techniques in investigative report writing; court procedures; applicable Washington State statutes and federal and state regulations pertaining to area of investigation; specialized terminology within area of investigation; auditing, record keeping and bookkeeping techniques.

Ability to: gather, preserve, and present relevant and pertinent evidence without arising undue or undesirable comment among employers, friends, business agents, or neighbors; interpret and apply Washington State statutes and federal and state regulations; write and speak clearly, concisely, accurately and informatively; exercise mature judgment in a wide variety of public contacts.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

Four years of experience as an Investigator 3 and at least one year of supervisory experience.


Six years of experience as an investigator with a criminal justice government agency or private organization, or other directly allied field, four years must include field experience.


Five years of experience conducting case analysis, pre-sentence investigations or criminal investigations for a criminal justice agency, court or a quasi-judicial body, three years must include providing case management of individuals convicted of felony crimes.

Note: Two years of related college-level course work may be substituted for one year of experience.

New class: 10-15-82.
Revised definition: 8-15-86.
Revised definition: 1-11-91.
Salary adjustment; revised class code, definition, and desirable qualifications; adopted May 10, 2007, effective July 1, 2007.
Updated desirable qualifications 6/23/2017.
Revised definition, distinguishing characteristics, typical work, knowledge and abilities, desirable qualifications, salary range adjustment, adopted June 22, 2023, effective July 1, 2023.

Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.