What are the responsibilities and job description for the Investigator 3 - Legal Services position at State of Washington?
GENERAL SERVICE
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Investigator 3 - Legal Services
$69,744 - $93,804 annually
Closes: June 11,2026
The Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) seeks an Investigator 3 for the Office of Professional Practices. This full-time permanent position will investigate educator misconduct and "good moral character and personal fitness" as defined in WAC 181-86-013. This full-time position is based in Olympia, Washington. This position offers a balance of in-office collaboration and telework. While telework may be available more than 75% of workdays, this position is not fully remote. We encourage interested candidates to visit the OSPI website to gain insight into our agency.
About OSPI and our initiatives
OSPI is the primary agency charged with overseeing public K–12 education in Washington state. Working with the state's 295 public school districts and 7 state-tribal education compact schools, OSPI allocates funding and provides tools, resources, and technical assistance so every student in Washington is provided a high-quality public education.
At OSPI, we recognize that our employees are the key to the success of the agency. We are committed to our work but value the balance with our personal lives. We demonstrate our commitment to employees by providing an environment that stimulates professional growth and values them for their expertise. OSPI is a great place to work and has several initiatives to help create a great working environment, including:
- We support a healthy work/life balance by offering flexible/alternative work schedules and mobile and telework options. (Depending on job duties and work location.)
- We have a tuition assistance policy and support employees seeking tuition waiver through participating higher education organizations.
- We have an Infant at Work Program that is based on long-term values of newborns and infant-parent bonding. Eligible employees who are new parents or legal guardians can bring their infant (six weeks to six months) when returning to work. (Depending on job duties and work location.)
- We value and are actively involved in promoting diversity, equity and inclusion within OSPI by way of cross-divisional, collaborative committee. The focus of the committee includes employee engagement and education; reinforcing OSPI values; and maximizing the value of diversity and identifying strategies for inclusion.
Vision, Mission, and Values
Vision: All students prepared for post-secondary pathways, careers, and civic engagement.
Mission: Transform K-12 education to a system that is centered on closing opportunity gaps and is characterized by high expectations for all students and educators. We achieve this by developing equity-based policies and supports that empower educators, families, and communities.
Values: Ensuring Equity, Collaboration and Service, Achieving Excellence through Continuous Improvement, Focus on the Whole Child
Equity
Each student, family, and community possess strengths and cultural knowledge that benefits their peers, educators, and schools. Ensuring educational equity:
- Goes beyond equality; it requires education leaders to examine the ways current policies and practices result in disparate outcomes for our students of color, students living in poverty, students receiving special education and English Learner services, students who identify as LGBTQ , and highly mobile student populations.
- Requires education leaders to develop an understanding of historical contexts; engage students, families, and community representatives as partners in decision-making; and actively dismantle systemic barriers, replacing them with policies and practices that ensure all students have access to the instruction and support they need to succeed in our schools.
Position Overview:
Investigators within the Office of Professional Practices are responsible for conducting complex, comprehensive, and objective investigations into allegations of misconduct by Washington certificated educators. In Washington state, licensed educators are bound by a Code of Conduct, found within WAC chapter 181-87, and by the requirements of RCW 28A.410.090 and WAC 181-86-013/014. Investigators in the Office of Professional Practices play a key role in ensuring students within the Washington K-12 education system have access to a safe learning environment.
As an Investigator 3 within the Office of Professional Practices, you will plan and conduct fact-finding in complex complaints and cases involving alleged violations of the applicable statutes, rules, and professional standards applicable to the Washington K-12 education system. You will also provide technical assistance to the Assistant Director, Deputy Chief Legal Officer, and to schools, parents and other entities. You will be expected to gain expert knowledge on the standards of conduct within the Washington K-12 education system and utilize investigative techniques, best practices, and technology to ensure that OSPI investigations are handled in an appropriate and timely manner.
Key Responsibilities of this position:
- Independently; plans, organizes, and manages complex and sensitive investigative work; establishing goals and internal timelines
- Identifies legal issues, reviews data, conducts interviews and on-site visits, and develops reports
- Uses a full range of investigative skills and techniques, including but not limited to researching writing, interviewing, gathering, and preserving sufficient evidence to determine the facts of a case involving educator complaints and alleged violations of law
- Consults with and provides recommendations to Assistant Director on appropriate actions related to investigations, including advising on scope of investigation, questions of evidence, and application of law and appropriate resolutions
- Communicates timely, courteously, and effectively to complainants, respondents, witnesses, other programs, K-12 school institutions and other government agencies while documenting activities and contacts
- Creates and maintains organized case files/reports with facts and identified evidence to complete an accurate, concise, and comprehensive investigation report to produce and implement effective corrective action
- Collaborate with other OSPI departments on issues related to educator misconduct and other legal issues, including assisting with investigations, research, or other assignments for the Office of Legal Affairs division, as needed
- Assists with the complaint intake process
- Develops and disseminates accurate and professional technical assistance, guidance, and resources related to educator misconduct and the role of the OPP
- Attend and testify in administrative hearings in a professional, polite, and direct manner
Required Qualifications:
- Two (2) years’ experience as an Investigator II or five (5) years’ experience as an investigator with a state or federal administrative agency, criminal justice agency, or in a similar role with private business
- Knowledge/experiences with state or federal regulations/statutes
- Excellent communication skills including both verbal and written communications
- Computer proficiency in using Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Outlook, search engines, and online databases
- Experience producing high-quality written reports and documents
- Ability to maintain effective communication with OSPI colleagues working remotely, as well as effective external communication
- Ability to travel statewide, if necessary
- Must have a valid driver’s license
- Must reside in the state of Washington
What May Help Distinguish you:
- Experience in conducting fact-finding interviews
- Experience in investigating or adjudication of professional misconduct matters,
- Training in interview techniques and analysis
- Experience within schools or school districts
- Experience testifying in legal proceedings
- Bachelor’s degree, in Business Administration, Public Administration, Criminal Justice or a related degree
Compensation
The annual compensation for the position is $69.744 -$93,804 per year and depends upon experience, educational background and qualifications. Washington State offers a generous benefit package including health, dental and life insurance, retirement and an optional deferred compensation program. Please visit Health Care Authority for information regarding health benefits and the Department of Retirement Systems for retirement plan information. This is a general service position. This position is not represented by a bargaining unit.
Application Process
Those interested in this position must apply through Careers.wa.gov. Applications must include the following documents in MS Word and PDF format only:
- A letter of interest specifically addressing the qualifications listed in this announcement;
- A current résumé;
- A list of three or more professional references and;
- Responses to the supplemental questions listed below.
Please address any questions to:
Sal Salazar, Human ResourcesOffice of Superintendent of Public Instruction
600 Washington Street Southeast
Olympia, Washington 98504
360-725-6278: sal.salazar@k12.wa.us
Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact the Human Resources Office at (360) 725-6270 or (360) 725-6066, or e-mail hroffice@k12.wa.us.
New Jobs Alert Service
OSPI offers a subscription service, which regularly notifies subscribers of new OSPI employment opportunities on careers.wa.gov. Subscribers are notified via text or email alert. If you are interested in this service, then please subscribe at this location.
OSPI is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from job seekers who will contribute to our diversity. OSPI provides equal access to all programs and services without discrimination based on sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. If you would like, please include your name and gender pronouns in your application, to ensure we address you appropriately throughout the application process. Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact the human resource consultant listed in “Application Process.”
Salary : $69,744 - $93,804