Description
Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at HREmployment@atg.wa.gov. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1-800-676-3777 or www.washingtonrelay.com.
Position and Salary
The Attorney General’s Office is recruiting for a permanent full time AGO Investigator/Analyst in the Environmental Protection Division. This position is located in Seattle, Washington, and is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).
AGO Investigator/Analyst Salary Range (63): $76,608 - $102,996 (annually)
The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
The following stipends may apply based on position requirements:
- Incumbents assigned to our Seattle office location receive an additional 5% King County Location Pay stipend.
The AGO provides a workplace that is understanding of work-life balance and promotes advancement by offering a wide variety of professional development and growth opportunities.
Excellent benefits
Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation, including Medical/Dental/Vision for employees & dependent(s); Vacation, Sick, and Other Leave; 11 Paid Holidays per year; Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) plans; and Life Insurance. Beyond these traditional benefits, we offer Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave, and more. With the goal of employee health and wellness, we also offer:
- Flexible schedules and part-time/hybrid telework options;
- A Wellness Program, an Infants in the Workplace Program, and the Employee Assistance Program, which provides counseling, webinar, and other cost-free support resources;
- Numerous employee-driven affinity groups to foster community and connection, including Bereavement, Elder Care, Parenting, POC, LGBTQ+, Veterans and more. The AGO is a place to belong and make a difference!
About the Environmental Protection Division
The Environmental Protection Division (EDP) is hiring an investigator/analyst who will find, document and analyze evidence to help prove civil environmental violations, including claims under the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, waste disposal statutes, and state laws protecting Washingtonians from toxics in products. We are looking for someone with a passion for protecting Washington’s people, environment, and natural resources, and with the skills and dedication to delve into databases, permits, and compliance reports, to directly observe and document violations in the field, and to work with partners across a wide variety of local, state, and federal agencies, including the Department of Ecology and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In keeping with the AGO’s anti-racist commitment, this investigator will also play a key role in developing cases pursuing environmental justice.
This investigator will work closely and collaboratively with a dynamic team of attorneys and professional staff. The successful candidate for this position will have experience writing investigative reports, organizing information, and working with rules, policies, permits, and compliance. This position should have familiarity with or should be capable of developing expertise in gleaning information from databases like the Water Quality Permitting and Reporting Information System (PARIS), ICIS-AIR, RCRAInfo, and the Facility Registry Service (FRS). A successful candidate will understand how or will be able to quickly develop skills to identify a violation of environmental law, document it, and work with attorneys and professional help to prove that violation. The ideal applicant will also have experience in, or an interest in learning to use, equipment like a portable X-ray fluorescent (XRF) analyzer, which can identify certain chemicals.
Experience that may be applicable to environmental investigations may include that of an inspector, auditor, compliance technician, scientist, researcher, or law enforcement officer with investigation experience.
Duties and Essential Functions of an AGO Investigator/Analyst
The Environmental Investigator (AGO Investigator/Analyst) will conduct investigations of civil environmental violations. This position will have the opportunity and responsibility to build and maintain professional relationships with partners in the Attorney General’s Office, other state agencies like the Department of Ecology, local agencies like utility and waste regulators, and federal agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency.
This position will design investigation plans, review paper and electronic records, conduct witness interviews, collect evidence, identify applicable laws, and collaborate with attorneys on case strategy. The Investigator/Analyst will draft investigative reports, memoranda, evidence logs and spreadsheets, case summaries for internal use, and declarations or affidavits that may be filed in support of environmental litigation, and testify at trial or other court proceedings.
Duties include, but are not limited to:
- Independently initiating, designing, and planning the scope and direction of complex investigations.
- Identifying, locating, collecting, organizing, analyzing, and assessing documentary, statistical, computer, and demonstrative evidence, including records and other information obtained from public and private sources for use in civil litigation proceedings;
- Reviewing, permit conditions, inspection and clean-up reports from databases such as PARIS, ICIS-AIR, RCRAInfo, and the FRS to help prove civil environmental violations;
- Working closely with state and federal agencies, the public, local and statewide law enforcement, and AGO attorneys to develop and help to prove civil environmental violations in the State of Washington.
- Collecting, analyzing, and processing data, tips, and complaints from a myriad of sources to develop environmental investigations.
- Observing and documenting data in the field; using technical equipment to measure or test items or samples in the field; taking environmental samples for laboratory testing.
- Conducting witness interviews; collecting, taking, and analyzing evidence; reviewing financial statements and documents.
- Exercising excellent judgment and maintaining the highest degree of professionalism and ethical conduct.
- Effectively conveying ideas and information both in writing and verbally using language that is appropriate to both the complexity of the topic and knowledge of the recipient.
- Serving as a consultant to state and local agencies for the investigation of environmental violations.
- Providing training to local and state partners on environmental investigations.
- Potentially assisting the Senior Investigator/Analyst assigned to criminal investigations
- Working to promote the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.
This recruitment announcement may be used to fill multiple open positions for the same classification, in addition to the position(s) listed in this announcement.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree and five years of experience conducting investigations, which include the authority to independently plan and conduct investigations in civil or criminal cases.
Additional qualifying investigative experience may substitute year for year for education.
Required Occupational Competencies
- Analysis - Uses and presents data and information in a clear and rational thought process to assess and understand issues and events; evaluate and form accurate conclusions and make decisions.
- Interviewing /Interrogation - Uses effective techniques when obtaining sworn statements and in conducting witness/subject interviews in ways that enhance clarity, information flow and reliability of information; uses multiple sources; uses tact in broaching subjects of a sensitive nature. Maintains objectivity consistent with professional standards and requisite training; post interview.
- Researching and Gathering Information - Effectively identifies, collects, organizes and documents data and information in ways that make the information most useful for subsequent assessment analysis and investigation or responsiveness to discovery.
- Workload / Caseload Management - Prioritizes and handles multiple competing case assignments and urgent situations, integrating many factors into case decisions and priorities.
- Knowledge of Laws, Rules, Statutes and Regulations - Possesses a thorough understanding of federal and state governmental laws, rules, regulations and statutes, and initiates compliance in a way that is fair, objective and reasonable; serves as a model of ethics and integrity in carrying out investigative activities.
- Interpersonal Relationships / Interpersonal Skills - Demonstrates responsible behavior; is polite, courteous, cooperative, flexible, and maintains emotional control and objectivity in work situations. Is respectful to all persons and demonstrates empathy.
Conditions of Employment
A background check consisting of employment history, professional references and educational verification (e.g., degree, license, or official transcript) may be conducted. Prior to any offer, the applicant selected will be required to submit to and pass a fingerprint-based criminal background check conducted by the Washington State Patrol, Criminal Records Division. The incumbent will submit to additional background checks as a condition of employment every five (5) years thereafter.
A valid non-probationary Washington State Driver's License is required for this position in order to legally operate state vehicles.
About the Washington State Office of the Attorney General
The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) touches the lives of every resident in this state. We serve more than 230 state agencies, boards, commissions, colleges and universities, as well as the Legislature and the Governor. The Office is comprised of nearly 700 attorneys and 800 professional staff, all working together to deliver the highest quality professional legal services to Washington state officials, agencies, and entities. This includes:
- Economic justice and consumer protections (safeguarding consumers, protecting youth, seniors, and other vulnerable populations)
- Social justice and civil rights (addressing discrimination, environmental protection, and veteran and military resources)
- Criminal justice and public safety (investigative and prosecutorial support, financial crimes)
- And much more!
Our agency also has national reach, representing the State of Washington before the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals and trial courts in all cases that involve the state’s interest. If you want to make a difference, we may be the perfect fit for you! Learn more about the AGO here.
Commitment to Diversity
Diversity is critical to the success of the mission of the AGO. This means recognizing, respecting, and appreciating all cultures and backgrounds-- and fostering the inclusion of differences between people. Appreciating, valuing and implementing principles of diversity permits AGO employees to achieve their fullest potential in an inclusive, respectful environment.
One recent measure of the AGO's commitment to diversity can be found in its nomination for Rainbow Alliance and Inclusion Network's "Outstanding Agency Award" in 2019. Our commitment to employee wellness is reflected in earning the 2024 Zo8 Washington Wellness Award.
Application Instructions
In addition to completing the online application, applicants must attach the following documents to their profile in order to be considered for this position:
- A letter of interest, describing your specific qualifications for the position;
- A current resume detailing experience and education.
Read the Following Information Completely:
- Carefully review your application for accuracy, spelling and grammar before submitting.
- You may not reapply to this posting for 30 days.
- The initial screening of applications will be solely based on the contents and completeness of the “work experience” and “education” sections of your application in www.careers.wa.gov, completeness of the application material submitted, and responses to the supplemental questionnaire.
- A resume will not substitute for completing the “work experience” section of the application.
- All information may be verified and documentation may be required.
- The Washington State Office of the Attorney General does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.
Equal Employment Opportunity and Accommodations Requests
Honoring diversity, equity and inclusion means that as an agency, and as individuals, we are committed to ensuring that all employees and volunteers enjoy a respectful, safe and supportive working environment. Only by fostering the inclusion of people from all backgrounds, cultures and attributes, can AGO employees and volunteers achieve their fullest potential and best advance the goals and mission of the AGO.
The AGO is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation/gender identity, age, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, retaliation or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at HREmployment@atg.wa.gov. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1-800-676-3777 or www.washingtonrelay.com.
For questions regarding this recruitment or assistance with the application process, please contact the recruitment team at HREmployment@atg.wa.gov. If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com.
