Labor Standards Investigator (Compliance Specialist 2)

State of Oregon•Portland, OR

19h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer committed to workforce diversity, welcoming members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and LGBTQIA2S community members. The BOLI Wage and Hour Division is hiring seven Labor Standards Investigator (Compliance Specialist 2) positions. The primary purpose of these permanent, SEIU-represented roles is to support effective compliance and enforcement of Oregon’s wage and hour laws, with six full-time and one part-time role available. This is a hybrid position requiring weekly in-person presence for meetings, site visits, and other in-office responsibilities, with successful candidates potentially working from Portland, Salem, or Eugene offices. Fluency in Spanish (speaking, reading, and writing) is preferred, with a 5% bilingual pay differential available upon successful completion of an assessment. BOLI's mission, led by Labor Commissioner Christina Stephenson, is to ensure Oregon jobs are good jobs, where workers are paid fairly and have discrimination-free work environments. BOLI protects workers’ rights through state labor law enforcement, ensures civil rights adherence in public spaces and housing, promotes skilled workforce development via apprenticeship programs, and provides training and confidential assistance to Oregon employers for workplace rule compliance.

Requirements

Four years’ experience doing administrative research that included compiling and evaluating facts to recommend management action or decide compliance with program guidelines and regulations.
Two of the four years must be above the technical support level.
College-level course work may substitute for experience on the basis of 45-quarter units per year, up to a maximum of three years.

Nice To Haves

Experience managing a high-volume caseload (e.g., cases, claims, investigations, or similar workload) with the ability to prioritize tasks and consistently meet deadlines.
Ability to research, interpret, and apply complex laws, rules, policies, and procedures to determine compliance.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex legal or regulatory information to individuals from diverse backgrounds using a culturally responsive approach.
Experience conducting interviews with employees, employers, witnesses, and other parties to assess compliance with statutes and administrative rules.
Experience conducting investigations, including collecting and analyzing evidence, performing audits, and completing complex wage calculations to determine compliance or violations.
Experience preparing clear, detailed written reports summarizing investigations, findings, and recommendations for use in administrative hearings or court proceedings.
Experience mediating or negotiating settlements between parties.
Ability to speak, read, and write Spanish fluently.

Responsibilities

Conduct investigations by collecting, reviewing, and analyzing records, evidence, documents, and data relevant to the investigation.
Conduct on-site inspections to ascertain status of compliance with laws.
Conduct research utilizing various online databases and websites to collect critical case details and information.
Interview claimants/complainants, employers, attorneys, union representatives, public officials, witnesses, and others, and document interviews through written statements and contact reports.
Perform complex wage calculations using Microsoft Excel and analyze a high volume of claims and complaints to insure timely processing in accordance with Division performance standards.
Monitor employer business practices, conduct compliance reviews and audits, and consult with other government agencies to clarify regulatory issues and support enforcement activities.
Interpret and apply relevant laws, rules, and policies to case findings to determine outcomes or prepare cases for administrative hearings or referral to the Department of Justice for litigation.
Facilitate dispute resolution through mediation, negotiation, or referral, and negotiate settlements and compliance agreements with employers and other stakeholders to recover wages and ensure compliance.
Prepare correspondence, demand letters, orders of determination, settlement agreements, compliance agreements, and other written documentation.
Participate in task forces, research changes in state or federal laws, and perform special assignments or other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Work/life balance, vacation, sick leave, 11 paid holidays a year, and personal days off.
Competitive benefits package including medical, vision, and dental.
Pension and retirement programs.
Employee Resources Advancement opportunity within BOLI and other State agencies.
Opportunity to expand your technical and professional skills.
Work with others who are passionate about public service.
Make a difference in the lives of Oregonians.
Possible eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
5% bilingual pay differential is available when bilingual skills are required and after successful completion of a bilingual assessment.
PERS qualifying position. Employees new to the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) will get a 6.95% base salary increase and will pay a 6% employee contribution to PERS, after an initial six-month waiting period. If you are already a PERS member, this position’s base salary will include a 6.95% increase for employee contribution.