Investigator 3

State of Oregon•Salem, OR

7d•$5,643 - $8,299•Hybrid

About The Position

The Oregon Youth Authority's Professional Standards Office (PSO) is seeking an Investigator 3 to conduct high-stakes investigations that protect the safety, rights, and trust of the youth, families, and employees OYA serves. As OYA's internal investigative branch, PSO receives, tracks, and investigates complaints of misconduct, policy violations, and PREA-related concerns across the agency's nine close-custody facilities and community programs statewide. This role does not require a law enforcement background — it requires an investigative mind. We welcome candidates from any qualifying background involving fact-finding, evidence handling, and formal report writing, including law enforcement, insurance investigation, financial fraud investigation, or investigative trial support. You will conduct interviews, analyze evidence, and author investigative reports capable of holding up in administrative hearings, while navigating sensitive, high-emotion conversations with professionalism and discretion.

Requirements

Four years of recent (within last ten years) full-time investigative experience which included conducting fact finding; collecting and preserving evidence according to the rules of evidence; examining records; locating and interviewing witnesses to verify or disprove claims of suspected law violations; and writing investigation reports sufficient for use at administrative hearings or in court.
Driver License Required: Driving is an essential function of this position. A valid driver license and an acceptable driving record are required for this position. We will conduct pre-employment driving records checks on our final candidate(s).
Cover Letter & Resume Required.
Resume should have month/year for each job history listed.
The work experience and/or education section of your application must clearly demonstrate how you meet all the minimum qualifications and desired skills and attributes listed above.
Failing to attach required documents may result in disqualification of your application.
All positions in OYA will require the incumbent to serve as a "mandatory reporter" of child abuse.
If you are hired, you will be required to fill out the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming you are able to work in the US.
OYA uses E-Verify to confirm that applicants are authorized to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated experience preparing clear, concise, accurate, and comprehensive investigative reports that document allegations, evidence, interviews, analysis, findings, and conclusions for administrative, legal, executive, or other formal review.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience conducting interviews, gathering and clarifying information, explaining complex or sensitive information, and adapting communication to the needs of different audiences. (assessed both in application materials and at time of interviews)
Demonstrated ability to independently manage a high-volume workload or caseload involving competing priorities, changing circumstances, multiple deadlines, and matters requiring timely response and follow-through.
Demonstrated ability to establish trust and work effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders, such as employees, management, labor representatives, youth, families, law enforcement, attorneys, community members, and partner agencies.
Demonstrated skill navigating difficult or emotionally charged interactions, responding effectively to distressed, frustrated, hostile, or uncooperative individuals, and de-escalating tense situations while maintaining professionalism and focus.
Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively in a team environment and collaborate across organizational or professional boundaries to gather information, coordinate work, solve problems, and achieve shared outcomes.
Demonstrated emotional intelligence, sound judgment, discretion, integrity, and professionalism when handling highly sensitive, confidential, or restricted information and working with individuals affected by difficult or sensitive circumstances.

Responsibilities

Conduct high-stakes investigations that protect the safety, rights, and trust of the youth, families, and employees OYA serves.
Receive, track, and investigate complaints of misconduct, policy violations, and PREA-related concerns across the agency's nine close-custody facilities and community programs statewide.
Conduct interviews.
Analyze evidence.
Author investigative reports capable of holding up in administrative hearings.
Navigate sensitive, high-emotion conversations with professionalism and discretion.