Positions in this series conduct civil and/or criminal investigations in a variety of areas including allegations of fraud, or collusion, trafficking or theft among recipients of public assistance or industrial insurance, allegations of fraudulent and/or unfair business and insurance practices, misconduct, and allegations of civil rights violations.

Positions gather facts and develop evidence with responsibility for developing the complete case from the original claim or allegation through preparation for presentation in court or administrative hearing. This includes researching records and case files; gathering and preserving documentary evidence; obtaining statements of fact through interviews, depositions, or confessions; obtaining and serving subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses or the production of records; conducting field surveillance; obtaining and coordinating the service of search warrants; writing investigative reports, establishing proof of facts and evidence; reviewing the case with private attorneys, assistant attorneys general, or prosecuting attorneys; and testifying in court, administrative and legislative hearing or other proceedings as necessary; coordinate with state and federal agencies.

Conducts civil or criminal investigations in order to substantiate allegations of fraud, misconduct, discrimination, fraudulent business practices, or other claims under state jurisdiction.

This is the first level of the series. Positions work under the general guidance of an operations manager or higher-level Investigator. Positions perform intake functions, triage incoming referrals and conduct the more routine investigations characterized by: established precedent and procedures, little controversy, single issues, individual claims, or other investigations of similar scope.

Serves as point of contact for law enforcement communication requests and processing;

Conducts preliminary investigations; review and preserves documentary evidence; requests time sensitive video/photo surveillance footage;

Provides technical assistance and consultation during the complaint intake process;

Under general guidance, confers with respondents and complainants in joint or separate fact finding conferences;

Receives, analyzes, and responds to inquiries by telephone, in writing, e-mail, and in person on the Washington State Law Against Discrimination (RCW 49.60);

Initiates alternative compromise proposals to attempt to resolve disputes;

Conducts in-depth inspections of schools, salons, and shops for possible violations of Washington State Laws governing licensing practices of cosmetologists, barbers, manicurists, etc.;

Investigates complaints and allegations of odometer and title fraud;

Inspects and reviews public assistance files, Federal, State, county and municipal records, business and private records;

Gathers, preserves, and presents evidence of fraud to department officials, county prosecutors/attorneys or the attorney general;

Conducts warrant forgery investigations and investigates allegations of fraud involving benefit recipients; prepares reports and compiles evidence for possible prosecution;

Conducts extensive observation and surveillance activities; conducts neighborhood interviews to establish physical capabilities and activities of claimants;

Assists with updating and cross checking case related databases between operating systems containing client related case information;

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; analyze, interpret and organize information; 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.

One year of experience as a Claims Representative or Public Benefits Specialist.


One year of experience as an investigator with a criminal justice government agency or private organization or other directly allied field.

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

New class: 10-15-82.
Revised definition: 1-11-91.
Revised class code, added class series concept, revised definition, distinguishing characteristics, and desirable qualifications; adopted May 10, 2007, effective July 1, 2007.
Updated desirable qualifications 6/23/2017.
Base range salary adjustment adopted 6/13/2019, effective 7/1/2019, range 41 to range 42.
Shadow class (Teamsters) established 6/29/2022, effective 7/1/2022. Professionals.
Revised class series concept, 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.