AGO Investigator/Analyst, Environmental Protection Division, Seattle

State of Washington•King County - Seattle - Downtown Business, WA

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About The Position

The Washington State Attorney General’s Office is recruiting a permanent, full-time AGO Investigator/Analyst for its Environmental Protection Division. The position is based in Seattle, Washington, and is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees. The role investigates civil environmental violations, including potential violations of the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, waste-disposal statutes, and state laws protecting Washingtonians from toxics in products. The investigator supports environmental justice cases and works collaboratively with attorneys and professional staff, as well as local, state, and federal agency partners. The investigator plans and conducts investigations, reviews records and databases, interviews witnesses, collects and analyzes evidence, identifies applicable laws, and collaborates with attorneys on case strategy. The role produces investigative reports, memoranda, evidence logs and spreadsheets, internal case summaries, and declarations or affidavits that may support litigation. The investigator may also testify in court proceedings, consult with agencies, and train state and local partners. Fieldwork may include observing and documenting conditions, using technical equipment to test or measure items or samples, and collecting environmental samples for laboratory testing. The position requires a bachelor’s degree and five years of qualifying investigative experience, with additional qualifying investigative experience substitutable for education year for year. A valid, non-probationary Washington State driver’s license is required. Employment is subject to background checks, including fingerprint-based criminal history screening before an offer and recurring checks every five years. The salary range is $76,608–$102,996 annually. Seattle-based incumbents receive an additional 5% King County location-pay stipend. The AGO describes its workplace as supportive of work-life balance and professional development, with flexible schedules and part-time or hybrid telework options.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and five years of experience conducting investigations that include authority to independently plan and conduct investigations in civil or criminal cases; additional qualifying investigative experience may substitute year for year for education.
Valid, non-probationary Washington State driver’s license required to legally operate state vehicles.
Ability to analyze and present data and information clearly, evaluate issues, form accurate conclusions, and make decisions.
Ability to conduct effective witness or subject interviews and obtain sworn statements using tact, objectivity, and techniques that support clarity and reliability.
Ability to identify, collect, organize, and document information for assessment, analysis, investigation, and discovery.
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple competing cases and urgent situations.
Thorough understanding of applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations, and statutes, and ability to promote compliance fairly and objectively.
Strong interpersonal skills, including courtesy, cooperation, flexibility, emotional control, respect, and empathy.
Ability to write investigative reports and organize information, and to work with rules, policies, permits, and compliance materials.
Ability to pass a fingerprint-based criminal background check before an offer; additional background checks are required every five years during employment.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with, or ability to develop expertise in, environmental databases such as PARIS, ICIS-AIR, RCRAInfo, and the Facility Registry Service (FRS).
Experience using, or interest in learning to use, technical equipment such as a portable X-ray fluorescent (XRF) analyzer.
Relevant experience as an inspector, auditor, compliance technician, scientist, researcher, or law enforcement officer with investigation experience.
Experience or ability to develop skills in identifying and documenting environmental-law violations and working with attorneys and other professionals to prove them.

Responsibilities

Independently initiate, design, and plan the scope and direction of complex investigations.
Identify, locate, collect, organize, analyze, and assess documentary, statistical, computer, and demonstrative evidence from public and private sources for civil litigation.
Review permit conditions, inspection reports, and cleanup reports in environmental databases to help establish civil environmental violations.
Work with state and federal agencies, the public, local and statewide law enforcement, and AGO attorneys to develop and prove civil environmental violations in Washington.
Collect, analyze, and process data, tips, and complaints from varied sources to develop investigations.
Observe and document conditions or data in the field; use technical equipment to measure or test items or samples; and collect environmental samples for laboratory testing.
Conduct witness interviews; collect, take, and analyze evidence; and review financial statements and documents.
Draft investigative reports, memoranda, evidence logs and spreadsheets, internal case summaries, and declarations or affidavits that may support litigation.
Collaborate with attorneys on case strategy and testify at trial or other court proceedings.
Exercise sound judgment and maintain professionalism and ethical conduct.
Communicate ideas and information effectively in writing and verbally, adapting language to the topic and recipient.
Serve as a consultant to state and local agencies investigating environmental violations.
Provide training to local and state partners on environmental investigations.
Potentially assist the Senior Investigator/Analyst assigned to criminal investigations.
Support the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people in the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies, regardless of race, color, national origin, or income.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents.
Vacation, sick leave, and other leave.
11 paid holidays per year.
Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) plans.
Life insurance.
Dependent Care Assistance.
Flexible Spending Accounts.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
Tuition waiver.
Deferred compensation.
Employee Recognition Leave.
Flexible schedules and part-time/hybrid telework options.
Wellness Program.
Infants in the Workplace Program.
Employee Assistance Program with counseling, webinars, and other cost-free support resources.
Employee-driven affinity groups.
Professional development and growth opportunities.
5% King County location-pay stipend for incumbents assigned to the Seattle office.