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State of Washington Classified Job Specification

AGO INVESTIGATOR/ANALYST

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AGO INVESTIGATOR/ANALYST
Class Code: 429C
Category: Legal Services


Class Series Concept

This series works in the Office of the Attorney General (AGO). Investigators provide legal services to the state of Washington and its citizens. Positions can be found in a variety of program areas such as Torts, Consumer Protection, Medicaid Fraud, Financial Crimes, Homicide Investigation Tracking System, and The Sexually Violent Predator Program. Positions determine caseload priorities and methodologies and develop information critical to the defense or prosecution of civil or criminal cases held in superior or federal court.

Definition

Investigates high profile, politically sensitive, and multi-jurisdictional cases that have statewide impact. Investigations involve vulnerable adult abuse and neglect; Medicaid fraud; consumer protection fraud; tort claims and lawsuits brought under theories of liability for state actions. Prepares written reports documenting case findings and conclusions, and consults with the litigation/prosecution team on case strategy throughout trial.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Investigators perform the full range of investigative and analytical duties required to complete difficult and complex cases. Independently determines caseload priorities and methodology, and develops information critical to the preparation, defense or prosecution of civil or criminal cases in superior and federal courts.

Investigative assignments are unlimited as to scope, subject matter, geographical area, and/or potential liability of the state, or recovery for the state or its residents; often, applicable case law does not exist and/or is not clearly defined.

Typical Work

Investigates tort claims and lawsuits made against the state of Washington; investigative assignments are unlimited as to scope, subject matter, geographical area, and/or potential liability of the state; often, applicable case law does not exist and/or is not clearly defined;

Tort claims and lawsuits brought under theories of liability for state actions include: highway design, release of inmates, medical malpractice, employment, childcare and custody, auto accidents, maritime injuries, false arrests, and unreasonable force;

Investigates fraudulent or illegal business practices that may involve multiple business entities operating in Washington, as well as in other states or other countries; investigations may be conducted in conjunction with other state agencies, other states and agencies of the federal government. Investigations are not limited as to scope, geographical area, and/or subject matter;

Conducts statewide criminal investigations into Title XIX Medicaid vendor fraud and/or abuse of patients in state, state licensed, or vendor facilities to include sexual and/or physical assault, manslaughter, theft, forgery, criminal negligence, and/or financial exploitation. Medicaid fraud investigations typically involve multiple-parties, thousands of documents, and extensive analysis of electronic database contents to develop evidence admissible in court;

Routinely consults with local law enforcement agencies on individual violent crime investigations, particularly murders and sexual assaults. Consultations include the collection of the facts of the instant case; comprehensive analysis of facts of the case and similar historic cases; potentially suspect evaluation and prioritization; advise on probability of case being part of a series; assisting in the develop of an overall investigative strategy for the case; taking a lead role to ensure that the investigative strategy is implemented; and development of information critical to the preparation and ultimate prosecution of the criminal case in Superior Court;

Directs and conducts investigations statewide of major crimes committed against state or local government agencies/institutions and individuals, particularly in the Washington State Department of Revenue (DOR) and Department of Financial Institutions (DFI). These investigations involve multiple victims, multiple criminal statutes (federal and state), and investigations. The direction and conduct of criminal investigations involve all aspects of the case, including the development and maintenance of informants, the application for and execution of search warrants and inquiry judge subpoenas, surveillance, the securing and analysis of evidence, witness and defendant interviews and statements, and the preparation of affidavits supporting criminal charges. Assists both state and federal prosecutors during investigation and trial;

Investigates cases of fraud and theft for prosecution by county prosecuting attorneys;

Investigates issues directly related to the civil or criminal commitment of sexually violent predators;

Researches and analyzes records to determine their relevance, reliability, authenticity, value, validity, and correlation to other information;

Drafts Civil Investigative Demands (prior to filing a case) and Subpoenas (after a case is filed) to compel attendance of a witness, answer interrogatories and or produce records;

Responds to discovery requests such as interrogatories, requests for production of documents, and requests for admission;

Obtains statements, prepares or attends depositions, or obtains confessions;

Obtains and serves subpoenas to compel attendance of witnesses or to produce records;

Collects, handles, and preserves evidence in accordance with the rules of evidence;

Analyzes evidence to determine if it fits a cause of action or creates a new cause of action in the case;

Conducts field surveillance;

Obtains and coordinates service of search warrants;

Advises parties of their constitutional rights;

Writes investigative reports;

Establishes proof of facts and evidence sufficient for use in a court or administrative hearing;

Makes recommendations and reviews the case with Assistant Attorneys General, US Attorneys, private attorneys, and/or prosecuting attorneys;

Presents evidence and completes investigations;

Testifies in court or other proceedings;

Provides expert analysis of case files and investigations;

Correlates evidence and pursues leads as indicated;

May be required to lead an investigative team;

Performs other duties as required.

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of: investigative techniques and practices; principles and methods of effective interviewing and interrogation; operation of the judicial system; elements of proof; rules of evidence; trial testimony; case analysis; report writing and ethical conduct.

Ability to: independently plan an investigative strategy and carry out complex investigations in accordance with the rules of evidence; analyze the relevance, reliability, credibility and admissibility of obtained evidence; interpret and apply state and federal laws and regulations and case precedents; establish rapport with, and gain confidence of, law enforcement, hostile and reluctant witnesses, business community and client agencies/entities; write and speak clearly, concisely and accurately; organize and submit timely and accurate investigative reports; apply the rules of evidence and/or rules of arrest, search and seizure; gather and analyze specific types of data; research and interpret technical, professional, business and financial records; use a computer to access, analyze and organize information; create and maintain an atmosphere of integrity, respect and objectivity throughout the legal process; work under pressure with continually shifting case priorities and deadlines; maintain strict and complete confidentiality.

Legal Requirement(s)

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.

Desirable Qualifications

Positions require a Bachelor’s degree and five years of experience conducting investigations, which included the authority to independently plan and conduct investigations in civil or criminal cases. Additional qualifying investigative experience may substitute year for year for education. Applicants may be required to go through an extensive background check and may be required to have a valid driver’s license.

Class Specification History

New class established July 9, 1999: Official title and class code AGO Investigator/Analyst, 46670.
Revised class effective June 1, 2005: Revised specification content; new title Attorney General Investigator 3, and new class code 429C (former title and class code: AGO Investigator/Analyst, 46670)
Revised class, adopted July 10, 2008 and effective July 1, 2008: Revise title AGO Investigator/Analyst (formerly Attorney General Investigator 3); revise definition; add distinguishing characteristics; add knowledge and abilities.

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