AGO Senior Investigator/Analyst, Torts Division

Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at HREmployment@atg.wa.gov. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1-800-676-3777 or www.washingtonrelay.com.

Position and Salary

The Attorney General's Office is recruiting for a permanent full time AGO Senior Investigator/Analyst in the Torts Division. This position is located in downtown Seattle, Washington, and  is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).

Salary Range 66: $78,468 - $105,612) (Effective 7/1/2024)

The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate's job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

The following stipends may apply based on position requirements:

• Incumbents assigned to our Seattle office location receive an additional 5% King County Location Pay stipend.

• Incumbents assigned to a position designated as requiring dual language skills will receive a 5% Dual Language Requirement Pay stipend.

About the Torts Division:

The Torts Division defends tort claims and lawsuits against all state agencies, officers and employees.  The majority of cases are based on actions brought under theories of liability for state actions such as highway design, release of inmates, injuries on state property, medical malpractice, employment, childcare and custody, auto accidents, maritime injuries, false arrests and unreasonable force. Tort attorneys also provide legal and risk management advice to the Office of Financial Management and state agencies on tort matters.

Duties and Essential Functions of a Sr. Investigator/Analyst:

The Torts Division Chief has designated this position at the Senior Investigator level. The incumbent shall independently conduct comprehensive investigations and analysis of the issues concerning complex, technical and multi-issue tort claims, potential claims, and lawsuits filed in state and federal courts involving large potential damage awards against the State and any of its subordinate agencies.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Plan and organize investigations in accordance with current statutes, rules, policies, and procedures;

• Meet with a litigation team to formulate procedures and analyze developments as they pertain to legal issues and case presentation;

• Perform investigative work in sometimes hostile or adverse situations;

• Locate and interview public officials, state employees, and members of the public to gather, analyze, preserve, and present testimonial evidence. Provide detailed evaluations of these witnesses and the information they provide as to the value of their testimony and presentation in regard to the State's defenses;

• Conduct detailed examination of accident and incident sites to include the recording of measurements, making sketches and diagrams, and taking photographs and video recordings;

• Locate, collect, and analyze documentary evidence maintained by federal, state, county, and municipal agencies and other sources;

• Prepare detailed reports of investigative findings for the Chief Investigator or the assigned Assistant Attorney General to include copies of collected documentary evidence;

• Upon assignment by executive level management, investigate special project type cases. These cases include those with issues or persons that are especially sensitive, abnormally high profile, have possible widespread political ramifications, an elevated level of media attention, and/or are exceedingly complex due to their class action nature and/or multiplicity of state and non-state defendants with allegations spanning long periods; 

• Act as client liaison/lead investigator for assigned client agency or Torts team. Coordinate with the team leader to assess the need for and provide liaison services to the client agency; and

• Provide training to investigators and other Torts staff on developments within the client agency;

This recruitment announcement may be used to fill multiple open positions for the same classification, in addition to the position(s) listed in this announcement.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Qualifications:

Positions require a Bachelor's degree and ten years of experience conducting investigations, which include the authority to independently plan and conduct investigations in civil or criminal cases.

Additional qualifying investigative experience may substitute year for year for education.

OR

Five years' experience as an AGO Investigator/Analyst.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Required skills and abilities include, but are not limited to:

• Interviewing witnesses

• Effective and efficient written and oral communication

• Workload/caseload management

• Interpersonal/intrapersonal skills

• Strong analytical skills and ability to write a cogent, comprehensive report

• Knowledge of basic principles of Washington tort law

• Decision making

• Adaptability and flexibility

• Stress tolerance

• Relationship building

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Applicants may be required to go through an extensive background check and may be required to have a valid driver's license.

About the Washington State Office of the Attorney General

Join an agency whose work impacts the lives of every resident of Washington State.

The Attorney General's Office (AGO) touches the lives of every resident in this state.  We serve more than 230 state agencies, boards, commissions, colleges and universities, as well as the Legislature and the Governor.  The Office is comprised of nearly 700 attorneys and 800 professional staff, all working together to deliver the highest quality professional legal services to Washington state officials, agencies, and entities.  This includes:

• Economic justice and consumer protections (safeguarding consumers, protecting youth, seniors, and other vulnerable populations)
• Social justice and civil rights (addressing discrimination, environmental protection, and veteran and military resources)
• Criminal justice and public safety (investigative and prosecutorial support, financial crimes)
• And much more!

Our agency also has national reach, representing the State of Washington before the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals and trial courts in all cases that involve the state's interest.  If you want to make a difference, we may be the perfect fit for you!   Learn more about the AGO here.

Commitment to Diversity

Diversity is critical to the success of the mission of the AGO. This means recognizing, respecting, and appreciating all cultures and backgrounds-- and fostering the inclusion of differences between people.  Appreciating, valuing and implementing principles of diversity permits AGO employees to achieve their fullest potential in an inclusive, respectful environment.

One recent measure of the AGO's commitment to diversity can be found in its nomination for Rainbow Alliance and Inclusion Network's "Outstanding Agency Award" in 2019.  Our commitment to employee wellness is reflected in earning the 2021 Zo8 Washington Wellness Award.

Excellent benefits

Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation, including Medical/Dental/Vision for employees & dependent(s); Vacation, Sick, and Other Leave; 11 Paid Holidays per year; Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) plans; and Life Insurance.  Beyond these traditional benefits, we offer Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave, and more.

With the goal of employee health and wellness, we also offer flexible schedules and telework options for most positions, a Wellness Program, the Employee Assistance Program, and numerous affinity groups to foster community and connection.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

In addition to completing the online application, applicants must attach the following documents to their profile in order to be considered for this position:

• A letter of interest, describing your specific qualifications for the position;
• A current resume detailing experience and education.

READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION COMPLETELY:

• Carefully review your application for accuracy, spelling and grammar before submitting.

• You may not reapply to this posting for 30 days.

• The initial screening of applications will be solely based on the contents and completeness of the "work experience" and "education" sections of your application in www.careers.wa.gov, completeness of the application material submitted, and responses to the supplemental questionnaire.

• A resume will not substitute for completing the "work experience" section of the application.

• All information may be verified and documentation may be required.

Honoring diversity, equity and inclusion means that as an agency, and as individuals, we are committed to ensuring that all employees and volunteers enjoy a respectful, safe and supportive working environment. Only by fostering the inclusion of people from all backgrounds, cultures and attributes, can AGO employees and volunteers achieve their fullest potential and best advance the goals and mission of the AGO.

The AGO is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation/gender identity, age, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status, retaliation or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at HREmployment@atg.wa.gov. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1-800-676-3777 or www.washingtonrelay.com.

For questions regarding this recruitment or assistance with the application process, please contact Judith Vandergeest @ (360) 586-7691 or Judith.Vandergeest@atg.wa.gov.

If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com.