See INVESTIGATOR 1.

Conducts highly complex and difficult investigations relating to sensitive and controversial cases; or, supervises investigative staff; or, acts as the statewide training expert for the investigation program.

This is the expert level of the series. Positions work independently to resolve highly complex investigations which are characterized by: high profile and/or political in nature; systemic, involving multiple entities; multi-jurisdictional investigations; patterns of practice or ongoing pattern of criminal activity or discrimination; vendor fraud investigations; identity theft, multiple issues, claimants and respondents; or other investigations of similar scope and level of responsibility.

Writes administrative and judicial subpoenas, develops probable cause, writes search warrant affidavits and participates in search warrant executions; participates in surveillance activities with multiple jurisdictions;

Supervises and instructs Investigators in reviewing case histories, interviewing and questioning witnesses to establish facts, gathering, preserving and examining evidence, and preparing detailed and comprehensive reports;

Assigns claims for investigations and maintains assignment and production records;

Reviews completed reports for thoroughness and accuracy, clarity and conciseness, and compliance with established policy and procedures; evaluates performance of investigators;

Investigates industrial insurance claims on an interregional basis;

Investigates vendor irregularities under the Industrial Insurance Act;

Conducts complex criminal investigations of possible or probable fraud committed by vendors; investigates allegations of embezzlement, theft, forgery and false billing;

Functions as an impartial investigator in discrimination disputes of significant complexity, sensitivity, or controversy i.e., a large and sophisticated respondent, a history of serious discrimination by the respondent organization, systemic discrimination, precedential value on future discrimination cases, a requirement for specialized knowledge and expertise;

Drafts and signs legally binding settlement contracts;

May use alternative dispute resolution techniques to resolve cases;

Functions as intergovernmental liaison with federal, state and local agencies, boards, commissions and committees;

Develops and conducts ongoing training for staff; provides technical guidance to investigators;

Examines the records of stock exchanges, broker-dealers, investment advisors, investment companies, stock transfer agents and issuers of securities; analyzes and develops background information;

Directs the investigation of cases alleging discrimination;

Plans, assigns, coordinates and supervises the field work of investigators including caseload and operational requirements in the investigation of fraudulent benefit claims, forged and missing warrants, specially assigned cases and prosecution cases;

Reviews and evaluates the investigative effort to improve methods and techniques so that the quality and quantity of work completed is increased and improved;

Directs a continuing training, review and evaluation program designed to train and improve all personnel in job performance and productivity and to introduce new methodologies, techniques and policies;

Conducts the highly complex, difficult, exacting and discreet investigations;

Appears in superior or district court as a witness for the state as required;

Coordinates matters of mutual interest with other law enforcement agencies within the state and other states when necessary;

Collaborates and coordinates with other states and federal partners to solve cases on a global level;

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; analyze, interpret and organize information; write and speak clearly, concisely, accurately and informatively; prepare detailed investigative reports; 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.

Two years of experience as an Investigator 2.


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

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: 2-9-90.
Revised definition: 4-13-90.
Revised definition: 1-11-91.
Revised definition: 12-10-93.
Salary adjustment; revised class code, definition, distinguishing characteristics, and desirable qualifications; adopted May 10, 2007, effective July 1, 2007.
Updated desirable qualifications 6/23/2017.
Shadow class (Teamsters) established 6/29/2022, effective 7/1/2022. Professionals.
Revised definition, distinguishing characteristics, typical work, knowledge and abilities, salary range adjustment, adopted June 22, 2023, effective July 1, 2023.

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