Under direction of a Compliance Manager - UTC, serves as a special investigator conducting economic and/or safety audits investigations of transportation activities on a statewide basis.  May serve as a team leader on a statewide basis.

The complex audits conducted at the level of this class involve motor freight carriers in the Class I (annual gross revenues of $5,000,000 or more) and Class II (annual gross revenues of $1,000,00 but less than $5,000,000).  These are large carriers of general freight with extensive permit authorities of both intrastate and interstate nature requiring knowledge of all tariffs issued by and on file with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission.  Requires knowledge of bookkeeping methods in respect to ledgers, accounts receivable and payable, payroll accounts, etc. so as to make a complete investigation of permit authority, rates and charges, equipment leasing, pseudo leasing, rebating and illegal acquisition of control of permit authority.

Conducts in-depth total audits of general freight carriers records to determine compliance with Utilities and Transportation Commission tariffs, permit authorities, rules and regulations, and Interstate Commerce Commission, U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Motor Carrier Safety regulations on a statewide basis; 

Seeks out, assembles and preserves evidence for prosecution of violators of transportation laws, rules, and regulations in complex cases where normal inspection/investigation techniques prove inadequate; appears in courts of law or at Utilities and Transportation Commission hearings to present prosecution evidence as a witness;  

Arrests violators of transportation laws when investigation/inspection reveals that action is indicated;

Conducts complex investigations of complaints against motor carriers on special assignments, on occasion requiring incumbents to travel to main office of carriers in other states; interprets and explains State and Federal laws, rules and regulations, Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, Interstate Commerce Commission, U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Motor Carrier Safety orders to motor carriers, shippers and general public; 

Inspects motor carrier vehicles' mechanical equipment and drivers for safety compliance of State and Federal laws, rules and regulations; checks loads on carriers' vehicles for compliance with State and Federal hazardous materials regulations;  

Directs, supervises, coordinates MCLE Inspectors, and MCLE Investigators 1 and 2 on special vehicle safety and authority assignments on a statewide basis; 

Serves as MCLE District Manager, on assignment, during vacation or other periods of absence;

Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:  laws, rules, precedent decisions, attorney general's opinions, and Utilities and Transportation Commission, ICC and BMCS rulings pertaining to trucking, shipping and logging; traffic laws; organization, and practices and problems of the transportation industry; interpretation of tariffs and complex permit authorities; investigation and inspection techniques; laws of search, seizure and arrest; rules of evidence; garbage collection laws; auto (bus) transportation and charter bus laws; steamboating and wharfage laws.  

Ability to:  direct and supervise MCLE Inspectors and Investigators; work without supervision, in carrier's offices (at times out of state); conduct complex investigations within the transportation industry and apply laws, rules and regulations to varied and unusual situations; perform audits of transportation operations in unique cases; talk and deal with transportation management and the public; seek out, analyze and compile legal evidence to substantiate prosecution of violators; appear in courts and before the Utilities and Transportation Commission as an expert witness; speak effectively; write clear, concise reports.

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.

Three years of experience performing safety inspections, investigations and/or other related motor carrier activities in a program which regulates transportation activities.    

Note:  Appointment to this class requires passing an examination to qualify as a peace officer and maintaining that status for continued employment.  

A valid Washington State driver's license is required for appointment to and continued employment in this class.  

An extensive background investigation may be conducted prior to appointment in this class.

Effective:  5-1-63
Driver's license requirement added:  5-6-65
Revised minimum qualifications:  8-9-71
Revised definition, minimum qualifications and title change (formerly Transportation Inspector 3):   11-24-75
Title change (formerly Investigatory Motor Carrier Law Enforcement):  7-15-83
Revised definition and minimum qualifications, adds distinguishing characteristics, general revision and title change (formerly Motor Carrier Law Enforcement Investigator):  6-15-84
Revised definition:  7-15-90
Revised definition and minimum qualifications:  10-15-93
New class code:  (formerly 42440) effective July 1, 2007