Workplace Investigator

Position Description

The Seattle Fire Department is currently seeking a Workplace Investigator (Strategic Advisor 2). This key position reports to the Human Resources Director. The Department has 1,000 uniformed personnel and 80 civilian staff.

This position has primary responsibility for investigating employee complaints alleging discrimination, harassment, hostile work environment, retaliation and inappropriate conduct. The Workplace Investigator prepares investigative, fact-finding reports and assists the Human Resources Director in preparing investigation status reports and responding to inquiries regarding workplace investigation processes and communications.

Job Responsibilities

• Obtains initial complaint documentation and conducts intake interviews of employees reporting and investigations regarding alleging discrimination, harassment, hostile work environment, retaliation and inappropriate conduct.
• Meets with the Human Resources Director to determine how complaints should be addressed and assess the scope of any investigation.
• Prepares and sends out notices of complaint and fact-finding investigation action to complaining parties, reporting parties, witnesses, and union representatives.
• Drafts and updates investigation fact-finding plan.
• Conducts investigation interviews and assists in securing union representation for those interviews upon request of the employee interviewed.
• Collects, organizes, tracks, and analyzes written and/or electronic statements, emails, and other types of communication that is relevant to evaluating complaint allegations.
• Provides timely, procedural updates of the status of the investigation to parties and unions involved in the investigation.
• Coordinates any request for peer support during fact-finding investigation.
• Drafts investigation fact-finding reports that are concise, reader-friendly, and include detail of complaint allegations, scope of investigation, witnesses interviewed, written/electronic evidence obtained, relevant policies and procedures, findings of fact, and factual conclusions.
• Conferences with Human Resources Director and Executive Director of Administration regarding findings in draft reports.
• Arranges fact-finding debriefing meetings with parties and union representatives.
• Makes necessary revisions and/or updates of investigation fact-finding reports after debriefing meetings.
• Provides final fact-finding reports to parties, Human Resources Director, and Executive Director of Administration.
• When assigned by the Human Resources Director, act as a liaison to the City Attorney’s Office in compiling and gathering Department records in response to claims and litigation.
• Assists the Human Resources Director in providing training regarding workplace conduct and other human resource issues, including conflict resolution, compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Washington Law against Discrimination (WLAD) and related state and local municipal codes, the City’s Ethics Code, and the City’s Race and Social Justice Initiative (RSJI).
• Testifies as fact-witness regarding fact-finding investigations at hearings or depositions assigned.
• Serves as Human Resources facilitator in internal and external selection processes.
• Other projects and duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Human Resources, or another discipline related to human resources management or equivalent training and/or other experience, such as law school or law enforcement academy completion.
• Four or more years of experience conducting workplace investigations and addressing workplace complaints.
• Four or more years of experience conducting criminal and/or law enforcement investigations.
• Successful candidates will possess excellent analytical skills and the ability to independently research issues and analyze relevant policies, rules, procedures, and guidelines.
• Successful candidates must also have exceptional oral and written communications skills.
• Conflict resolution and mediation experience is valued.
• Public sector human resources and/or employee relations experience are valued.
• Juris Doctor and/or law enforcement specialized training (detective) are ideal.

Additional Information

The full salary range for this position is $54.60 – $81.93 per hour.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and covered family-members/most employees-plans

The Seattle Fire Department is looking for hardworking, committed individuals with a passion for public service and who are deeply aligned with our City's values of Race and Social Justice. The City of Seattle is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, gender identity, political ideology, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, and local laws.

The mission of the Seattle Fire Department is to save lives and protect property through emergency medical services, fire and rescue response and fire prevention. The Seattle Fire Department is a national leader in responding to and preventing emergencies with a commitment to excellence and teamwork. We seek a diverse workforce who embrace the following values:

Integrity - We are honest, trustworthy, and accountable. Honor guides our actions.

Teamwork - We each bring our own skills and experience, yet we recognize that we are better together. We support and depend on each other to achieve our goals.

Compassion - Caring is part of our job. We could not do what we do without a deep and motivating empathy for those we serve.

Diversity - We respect the different identities, experiences, and perspectives of those that we work with and the community we serve.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.