Directs the statewide program of investigation for an agency with responsibility for planning, developing, implementing, and directing all investigative programs and activities statewide. 

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

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 WMS 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 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; 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. 

Four years of experience as an Investigator 3 within State service, at least one year of which must have been as a supervisor.  

OR 

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.  

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.