See INVESTIGATOR 1.

Directs a statewide program of investigations for an agency with responsibility for planning, developing, implementing, and directing all investigative policies, procedures and activities statewide.

Positions provide expert guidance and consultation to top-level managers, agency investigative teams, legal counsel and public and private entities within assigned program area.

A statewide program would include but not be limited to: public benefits; workplace investigations; and fraud.

Interacts and investigates vulnerable adult/child abuse, sexual assault, homicides, rapes and other violent crimes, sexually violent predator offenses and incarcerated individuals;

Develops, implements and administers statewide investigations of internet fraud regarding public benefits;

Provides quality assurance, improvement and oversight of investigative programs;

Develops policies, procedures, controls and administrative systems pertaining to investigative activities and issues appropriate directives and memorandums;

Directs implementation of new methods and revised techniques for investigations;

Consults with and provides expert advice to legal counsel, public and private employer, special interest groups, owners, managers, public officials, union officials, real estate brokers and personnel managers;

Functions as the principle advisor to the program manager on all matters involving investigation and prosecution of fraud;

Plans and directs the development and implementation of the annual and biennial budget; develops detailed policies and procedures to be utilized by investigative and support staff;

Develops, implements and administers statewide investigations of vendor fraud, i.e., doctors, pharmacies, nursing homes, laboratories, hospitals and other providers of Title XIX services;

Subpoenas witnesses, administers oaths, takes testimony and completes the production of books, papers, records and documents;

Participates in the development and supervises the execution of all search warrants to include the seizure of all items ordered by the court;

Plans, directs and supervises the investigation of transactions or activities which are questionable under the securities laws, franchise and camp club acts, real estate laws and professions laws;

May supervise lower level staff;

Performs the duties of the lower levels in the series;

Performs other work as required.

Knowledge of: methods, principles, standards and techniques of criminal and civil investigations; interviewing techniques; rules of evidence; chain of custody of evidence; laws of arrest, search and seizure; Miranda Warning; techniques in investigative report writing; court procedures; applicable Washington State statutes and federal and state regulations pertaining to area of investigation; specialized terminology within area of investigation; auditing, record keeping and bookkeeping techniques.

Ability to: gather, preserve, and present relevant and pertinent evidence without arising undue or undesirable comment among employers, friends, business agents, or neighbors; interpret and apply Washington State statutes and federal and state regulations; write and speak clearly, concisely, accurately and informatively; exercise mature judgment in a wide variety of public contacts.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Four years of experience as an Investigator 3 and at least one year of supervisory experience.


Six years of experience as an investigator with a criminal justice government agency or private organization, or other directly allied field, four years must include field experience.


Five years of experience conducting case analysis, pre-sentence investigations or criminal investigations for a criminal justice agency, court or a quasi-judicial body, three years must include providing case management of individuals convicted of felony crimes.

Note: Two years of related college-level course work may be substituted for one year of experience.

New class: 10-15-82.
Revised definition: 8-15-86.
Revised definition: 1-11-91.
Salary adjustment; revised class code, definition, and desirable qualifications; adopted May 10, 2007, effective July 1, 2007.
Updated desirable qualifications 6/23/2017.
Revised definition, distinguishing characteristics, typical work, knowledge and abilities, desirable qualifications, salary range adjustment, adopted June 22, 2023, effective July 1, 2023.