Part-Time ESD Investigator

State of Montana-posted 4 days ago

Part-time • Entry Level

Helena, MT

101-250 employees

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Driven by a commitment to fairness and accountability, this part-time ESD Investigator role offers a unique opportunity to directly support civil rights in Montana. In this position, you will help ensure discrimination complaints are taken seriously, investigated thoroughly, and resolved with integrity, strengthening trust in the Human Rights Bureau and the protection it provides to all Montanans. Building a Stronger Montana MISSION STATEMENT: Empowering all Montanans through work and opportunity. DLI CORE VALUES: Responsiveness Respect Integrity Excellence Cohesiveness It's about the people and the impact we make in our communities every day. We are proud of our open, team-based, supportive, and collaborative work environments. Learn more about DLI here. Position Overview: As a part-time ESD Investigator with the Montana Department of Labor & Industry’s Human Rights Bureau, you will conduct informal, neutral investigations into complaints of discrimination to determine whether there is reasonable cause to believe unlawful discrimination occurred. You will independently gather and analyze information by interviewing participants, reviewing documents, and comparing treatment across similarly situated individuals or entities. In this role, you will clearly explain the Bureau’s administrative process and complex legal standards to the public, often in emotionally charged situations, while maintaining professionalism and neutrality. Your work directly supports fair and consistent enforcement of Montana’s civil rights protections and helps ensure all Montanans are treated with dignity and respect.

Conduct intake interviews with interested persons to determine whether potential allegations fall under laws enforced by the Human Rights Bureau and draft complaints when appropriate.
Analyze complaints to determine jurisdiction and conduct a thorough, neutral investigation.
Prepare interview outlines; schedule and conduct interviews with parties, witnesses, and counsel; and document statements accurately and objectively.
Gather and organize relevant documentation, including comparative information, through targeted requests for information to evaluate allegations and defenses.
Analyze the information gathered and apply the correct state and federal legal standards to decide whether there is reasonable cause to believe discrimination occurred.
Communicate complex legal concepts and the agency’s administrative process to participants both verbally and in writing, ensuring they understand expectations, timelines, and outcomes.
Provide a high level of customer service to internal and external stakeholders by responding promptly, professionally, and respectfully to inquiries.
Maintain accurate, complete electronic case records and correspondence that support transparent decision-making, compliance with statutory deadlines, and consistent bureau operations.

Investigative Planning and Neutral Fact-Finding: Conduct informal civil rights investigations for the Human Rights Bureau by planning and performing intake and witness interviews, drafting and issuing requests for information, and reviewing personnel records, policies, and comparative data, while maintaining strict neutrality between charging parties and respondents.
Legal Analysis and Civil Rights Application: Apply the Montana Human Rights Act, the Governmental Code of Fair Practices, and several federal anti-discrimination laws to determine whether the evidence supports a reasonable cause finding.
Administrative Process and Participant Guidance: Clearly explain the Human Rights Bureau’s administrative process, timelines, complex legal standards, and potential outcomes to parties, attorneys, and other stakeholders who may be unfamiliar with civil rights procedures, ensuring they understand expectations and next steps.
Communication with Challenging Participants: Communicate in a clear and respectful manner while routinely working with challenging and at times volatile participants, maintaining professionalism, neutrality, and composure throughout each interaction.
Investigative Writing and Final Report Development: Prepare professional, accessible Final Investigative Reports (FIR)—typically eight or more pages—that summarize the facts, analyze the evidence under applicable legal standards, and clearly explain the basis for the agency decision, including whether there is “reasonable cause” or “no reasonable cause” and how that determination was reached.
Caseload Management and Statutory Compliance: Manage multiple Human Rights Bureau investigations at one time ensuring that each case progresses and is completed within required timeframes.
Record Integrity and Case File Management: Maintain complete, accurate case records consistent with Human Rights Bureau policies, ensuring that complaints, position statements, interview notes, emails, and comparative data are stored appropriately pursuant to the record retention policy.
Technology and Case-Management Systems Proficiency: Utilize Microsoft Office, Adobe, and Human Rights Bureau case management or database systems to enter, update, and retrieve complaint and outcome data that support internal decision making and required reporting.
Collaborative Teamwork within the Human Rights Bureau: Work cooperatively with Human Rights Bureau teammates, supervisors, and legal staff to align investigations with internal policies and best practices, while being receptive to oversight, feedback, and peer review.
Two years of related experience conducting investigations, interviews, or other fact-finding that involves gathering information from multiple sources and making objective, well-supported decisions about what the facts show.
Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying statutes, rules, policies, or procedures related to civil rights, including laws governing discrimination in employment, housing, education, or public accommodations.
Demonstrated ability to write clear, organized reports, summaries, or official correspondence that explain analysis and the basis for an agency or organizational decision.
Demonstrated proficiency using computers and common office software (such as Microsoft Office, email, and web-based databases or case-management systems) to manage information, create documents, and communicate with others.

Skills may be gained through a combination of professional experience, training, or education. A bachelor’s degree in law, human resources, business, sociology, or related field is one pathway, but not required.

Being able to enjoy the quality of life in the beautiful state of Montana is one of the benefits you will love about this opportunity!
Our mountains, waterways and open spaces provide not only beautiful scenery but year-round recreational opportunities including hiking, camping, biking, fishing, boating, hunting, skiing and snowmobiling.
Montana boasts a high-quality education system and a variety of entertainment including fairs, rodeos, and theaters.
Work/life balance with hybrid schedules or partial telework may be available within the state of Montana.
38 paid days off a year including vacation, sick leave and holidays.
Military leave: You’ll get up to 15 days of military leave with full pay.
Longevity raises with continuous service, as well as any negotiated market increases and state statutory raises.
Health, dental, vision, life insurance coverage, flexible spending accounts, EAP
Free telehealth and access to free employee medical clinics through our medical plan
Choice between two retirement plans with an employer contribution between 8.73%25 - 9.07%25 of your annual salary. A third optional 457(b) deferred compensation plan is also available.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness- Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive loan forgiveness
Career progression, training opportunities and room for professional growth.
State employee discounts at various businesses across the state.
This position may be eligible for a statutory $1.00 an hour base pay increase effective on July 1, 2026.
This position may be covered by a Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA)

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