Who We Are
In response to deaths resulting from encounters with law enforcement and the community’s demand for change, the Washington State Legislature created a new, first-of-its-kind agency: the Office of Independent Investigations (OII) . This new agency was formed in 2021 and operates under the requirements of the law in which investigations involving the use of deadly force must be truly independent of the involved law enforcement agency.
Our mission is to conduct fair, thorough, transparent, and competent investigations of incidents involving use of deadly force. This approach to investigations will remove conflicts of interest, improve accountability and transparency, and renew the public’s confidence. Through these efforts, we hope to strengthen the relationships between police and the community, build public trust, and promote effective policing. To help us carry out this mission, we are looking for Investigators of all levels to join our growing team.
As a Senior Investigator on our diverse team, you will play an integral role in the investigations of complex, high-profile cases involving police use of deadly force. Your primary focus will be conducting criminal investigations of use of deadly force, including evidence collection and conducting interviews, in accordance with RCW 43.102.080. Part of your day-to-day responsibilities may also include communicating with families and partnering with regional Community Liaisons to ensure the public is well-informed and the process is transparent.
Due to the nature of these positions, OII conducts a pre-employment background investigation prior to hire. Background investigations include a psychological evaluation, fingerprinting, and a polygraph.
Location:
This recruitment is specific to region 1 and region 2 , which are located in western Washington. While we offer a hybrid work environment, 100% remote work is not an option for this position. For more information on our regions and counties covered, please refer to OII’s regional map:
Responsibilities include but are not limited to…
Investigations:
- Respond immediately to scenes involving law enforcement use of deadly force.
- Conduct in-person, telephonic, and/or virtual interviews with involved law enforcement officers, witnesses, and others relevant to the investigation.
- Objectively analyze investigative needs and employ a full range of investigative methods and procedures, including evidence collection, obtaining necessary search warrants and records, and requesting forensic testing of critical evidence.
- Follow-up with investigative leads and document activities in a timely manner using a case management system, per OII policies and procedures.
- Manage and prioritize investigative assignments in accordance with OII’s established standards of quality.
- Protect confidentiality of Criminal Justice Information (CJI) data.
- Lead, train, and mentor the Investigator staff on use of force investigations and best practices.
- Testify as required.
Documentation and Evidence Collection:
- Adhere to legal requirements, responsibilities, and best practices, when identifying, collecting, and preserving evidence.
- Organize and analyze case facts and evidence to determine the course of the investigation using appropriate methods and procedures.
- Gather, review, and evaluate documentation relevant to the investigation, coordinating with interested parties when necessary.
- Participate in the law enforcement incident notification rotation, receiving and documenting information from involved agencies when a use of deadly force incident occurs.
Coordination and Community Outreach:
- Proactively communicate with OII’s Family, Community and Tribal Liaisons during critical incidents.
- Coordinate with interested parties regarding investigations as necessary or required.
- Communicate with Medical Examiners and/or Coroners offices to gather relevant information relating to the incident and attend autopsies.
Development, Operations, and Governance:
- Successful completion of required training programs to ensure the requisite knowledge, skill, and abilities are obtained (RCW 43.102.060). This training includes criminal investigations, interviewing techniques, Washington law and policies as well as training to understand the impact and effect of racism in investigations, the history of racism in policing, and how to use an antiracist lens when conducting independent investigations work.
- Learn and interpret laws from the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and Washington Administrative Code (WAC) pertinent to the mission of OII.
- On-call rotations with 24/7 state-wide response availability and willingness to work non-standard hours, including long shifts, rotating shifts, holidays, and weekends, as required.
- Provide input using data and experiences to improve protocols, policies, and best practices within the investigations program.
Required / Minimum Qualifications:
- 3+ years of practical experience conducting complex criminal investigations, including crime scene management and evidence collection.
- Requisite experience working within Washington state's laws, practices, policies, and procedures related to criminal law and investigations. Knowledge of comparable practices outside of Washington state can be substituted for this requirement.
- Experience managing a caseload, prioritizing assignments, and using data to assess and understand issues, evaluate options, and produce recommendations.
- Familiarity with the rules of evidence/chain of custody necessary to protect the integrity of evidence that is collected during an investigation.
- Strong ability to practice sensitivity, empathy, discretion, and tact when interacting with those impacted by investigations, as well as the ability to testify in court and/or legal hearings if required, and write detailed, comprehensive incident reports.
- Completion of a pre-employment background check, which includes a mental health evaluation, fingerprinting, and polygraph. Must be able to safely operate a state assigned vehicle for the purpose of conducting field work.
Desired Qualifications:
- 5+ years of experience which includes crimes against persons, deadly force investigations and/or death investigations.
- Advanced education, training, or industry certification(s) in criminal justice or related field.
- Two years of experience operating as a lead investigator on major crimes, homicide, forensic, and/or crime scene investigations.
- Working knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations, and experience working in quasi-judicial and judicial environments.
- Interest in understanding the impact and effect of racism in the investigation, the history of racism in policing, and how to use an antiracist lens to conduct independent investigations work.
- Education, practical experience, or depth of knowledge of behavioral health issues, youth cognitive development, trauma-informed interviewing, and de-escalation techniques and utilization.
- Experience using open-source investigative techniques, including but not limited to the use of social media, mapping equipment, video forensics, and other electronic means.
How to Apply
Interested? We would love to hear from you. Click “Apply” at the top of this page to start your application (you can save the application and come back to it, if needed). In your submission, please include the following:
- A letter of interest that describes your specific qualifications, including any experience or knowledge in the following areas:
- Behavioral health issues
- Youth cognitive development
- Trauma-informed interviewing
- De-escalation techniques and utilization
- A current resume that details your applicable experience and qualifications.
- Three professional references with current contact information, including a telephone number and email address.
We will review all applications as they are received and contact the top applicants to interview for this position. Because we base our selection on the information you provide, we recommend submitting a tailored resume outlining the knowledge, skills, and abilities you possess that address the qualifications described above. To be considered for this position, candidates must meet the required/minimum qualifications.
Questions?
For questions about this recruitment or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email . For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
The Office of the Governor is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, and disabled and Vietnam-era veterans are encouraged to apply. If you need accommodations or help in the application process, or who wish to receive this job announcement in an alternative format, you may call 360-725-0158 or dial 711 to reach the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf system.
Special Note: This position is exempt from civil service rules.
For more information, please see WAC 357-19-195 .
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