DSHS YVS Investigator

DSHS YVS Investigator 3

We are hiring an Investigator 3 to join Yakima Valley School in Selah, Washington. In this critical role, you will lead and conduct personnel misconduct investigations, ensuring they are thorough, unbiased, and completed within strict timelines. Serving as the Investigator 3, you will complete complex investigations, collaborate with internal leadership, Human Resources, union representatives, and outside agencies, including the Washington State Patrol and local law enforcement to support a safe, respectful, and compliant workplace.

Your work will play a vital role in fostering a positive and productive environment for both staff and clients, upholding ethical standards, and ensuring adherence to state laws, agency policies, federal guidelines, and collective bargaining agreements.

Yakima Valley School is a certified nursing facility providing 24/7 care for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities or a dual-diagnosis of developmental disability and mental illness. Located in Selah, Washington, Yakima Valley School is certified by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Yakima Valley School is known for its beautiful grounds and its clinical and therapeutic programs, which includes respite services. All services are individualized and designed to maximize residents' independence. Residents live in cottages, which have bedrooms and living rooms with specially designed amenities. The Administration Building includes the administrative office, kitchen and laundry departments, an apartment for families who visit their loved one, and an indoor hub for resident activities.

Some of what you'll do:

• Complete the full investigative process, from notifications and interviews to final reporting and document retention.
• Conduct complex, sensitive investigations requiring discretion, confidentiality, and collaboration with law enforcement and other agencies.
• Interview complainants, respondents, witnesses, and others – often in sensitive or high-stress situations – while ensuring compliance with Collective Bargaining Agreements, Revised Code of Washington (laws), policies, and procedures.
• Prepare thorough, objective, and timely investigative reports, including red actions as required, and review Special Investigation Unit (SIU) cases for quality and compliance.
• Represent Yakima Valley School in legal proceedings, appeals, and statewide work groups, and serve as a subject matter expert for incident management policies.
• Analyze incidents for facility-wide impacts, recommend corrective actions, maintain investigative archives, and provide training to supervisors.

What we're looking for:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain complex investigative and client care issues clearly.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage and prioritize work to meet strict timelines.
• Ability to manage multiple complex assignments independently while maintaining high ethical and professional standards.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport and earn trust during investigations to gather accurate information and responses.
• Knowledge of DSHS/DDA investigation practices, related laws and policies, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Understanding of Just Cause principles, Garrity rights, and Weingarten rights.
• Skilled in writing accurate, well-structured reports and de-escalating conflict in high-stress situations.
• Sound judgment and professionalism in diverse workplace and public interactions.
• Flexibility to work outside normal business hours in a 24-hour facility environment; completion of DSHS-approved Investigation Training (may be obtained after hire).

Who should apply? We are looking for professionals with:

• Two years of experience as an Investigator 2 OR
• Five years of experience as an investigator with a criminal justice government agency, private organization, or other directly related field, including three years of field experience

Note:

Two years of related college-level coursework may be substituted for one year of experience.

Work schedule:

8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.

This position is 100% on-site.

Duties…