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.

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.
Revised definition, distinguishing characteristics, typical work, knowledge and abilities, salary range adjustment, adopted June 22, 2023, effective July 1, 2023.