Job Description

Description

Our Mission: Keep Washington Safe and Working!
Our Values: Customer Focus, One L&I, Respect, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Learning and Growth, Reliability

*This is an opportunity open to Internal L&I employee\'s only and is non-permanent expecting to last 12 months.

Job Highlights

Do you want to contribute to making workplaces safe? Do you enjoy investigating and offering resolutions? As an Industrial Relations Agent 3, you will have a direct impact in fulfilling the \xe2\x80\x9cworking\xe2\x80\x9d component of the L&I Mission by enforcing compliance with numerous Washington State labor laws.

The Industrial Relations Agent 3 enforces the Wage Payment Act, RCW 49.48, Industrial Welfare Act (RCW 49.12 and WAC 296-126); the Minimum Wage Act (RCW 49.46 and WAC 296-128). The position ensures compliance with these worker protection statutes and rules.

This position is a lead worker for one or more regions conducting Employment Standards investigations. Applies specialized knowledge of state labor laws when conducting investigations and applying technically diverse, difficult, or new Employment Standards requirements. Investigates special case assignments and provides intermittent auxiliary support as assigned by the Compliance Specialist Supervisor. Responsible for the proper application, interpretation, and enforcement of state labor laws involving the Minimum Wage Act, Wage Payment Act, Industrial Welfare Act, and other related statutes. Provides regional support for application of agricultural, child labor, and other labor laws and rules.

Provides technical guidance and on-the-job training to Industrial Relations Agent 2\'s by acting as lead to two or more Industrial Relations Agent 2\'s in complex wage and hour investigations and negotiations. Advises and assists Industrial Relations Agent 2\'s in wage negotiations where a significant wage liability exists, or which may involve multiple legal and/or politically sensitive issues.

Duties

Duties:

Some of what you\'ll do:

• Serves as a lead agent and regional trainer on existing and emerging Employment Standards requirements and work processes.
• Investigate and resolve wage and non-wage worker rights complaints.
• Communicate with employer and employee via phone, email, in person, and letters to resolve wage and all other Employment Standards disputes.
• Participate in program work process for development or modification of investigation, citation, determinations, and fiscal matters related to Employment Standards. Upon completion of such processes, act as primary trainer for regional IRA2s.
• Coordinate, refer, and assist with investigations involving other Employment Standards specialty units (including, but not limited to agricultural infractions, youth employment, companywide, and retaliation investigations.)
• Determine validity of wage complaints by applying rules and regulations promulgated under the appropriate statutes.
• Review and audit payroll records to determine unlawful payment of wages;
• Negotiate for restitution of wages, mediating settlement or compromise proposals that both parties might find acceptable.
• Conduct single-Worker Rights Complaint investigations with company-wide implication and application.
• Participate in the appeal processes for WPA NOAs & DOCs and other violations such as child labor notices of violation or agricultural civil infractions.

Qualifications

REQUIRED:

• Two or more years of experience as an Industrial Relations Agent 2;

OR

• A Bachelor\'s degree AND Two years of experience in one of more of the following:
• Labor/employment relations and regulations
• Collection of revenue/taxes from employers/businesses
• Investigations of complaints of misconduct
• Audit of employer financial records
• Interpretation and explanation of rules and regulation regarding employment standards, wages and hours, and child labor laws
• Related experience

Please Note: Additional qualifying experience will substitute for education at the rate of one year of experience for two years of education.

Demonstration of L&I Core Competencies

DESIRED:

• Knowledge over the following:

• Laws governing all phases of labor relations, general policies, principles and practices.
• Labor and management state wage and hour laws and regulations.
• Contracts and related labor relations.
• Ability to apply such knowledge to mediation, arbitration, and resolution.
• Principles, standards and techniques of personal investigations.
• Rules of evidence, auditing, accounting and bookkeeping procedures.

• Ability to:

• Testify in court proceedings.
• Ability to communicate and present complex information in clear, concise, and logical sequence; gather, preserve, and present material, relevant and pertinent evidence; exercise mature judgment in a wide variety of public contacts.
• Organize and complete special projects; support and direct the work activity of staff during specialized and complex investigations; prioritize staff workload, monitor workload output; provide on-the-job training; compile complex reports
• Interpret complex laws, rules, and regulations, analyze issues involving wage disputes and formulate suggestions for compromise and settlement of disputes.
• Prepare written documents; organize facts, arguments and conclusions in clear and logical sequence;

Supplemental Information

Things You Need To Know

To help you maintain a proper work-life balance, teleworking is one of the work schedule options for this position. L&I also offers flexible custom work schedules.

State employees who meet the qualifications will become eligible for a generous retirement package at the end of the employee\'s career. Click on the \xe2\x80\x9cBenefits\xe2\x80\x9d tab to learn more.

At L&I, your voice matters. In addition, L&I is a diverse state agency dedicated to the safety and health and security of Washington\'s 3.3 million workers. Take a look at this and learn more about why L&I is an employer of choice.

For this position, telework is permitted with occasional travel to headquarters for tasks and training. The assigned duty station for this position is Vancouver, Washington.

For positions where in-office work is necessary, the frequency of telework will be discussed with the supervisor of the position at the time of offer.

Application process

We will contact the top candidates directly to interview for this position. Because we base the selection on information provided by you, it is in your best interest to identify the knowledge, skills, and abilities that address the mandatory and desirable qualifications described in the announcement.

Please include the following documents with your application: * A
describing specific qualifications. * A current
detailing applicable experience and education. * A list of at least three professional references with current telephone numbers.

Please do not attach or place any information about your vaccination status, including disclosure of leaving employment due to a vaccination requirement for COVID -19, within the application, resume, or cover letter. If you do, we will have to reject your application to safeguard others from receiving your confidential information. You will have to remove the confidential information before you can apply again.

Other information

• A job offer is contingent upon completion of a background check that includes a criminal record review.
• For positions requiring travel, you must have a valid unrestricted driver\'s license and have insurance if driving a privately owned vehicle on state business.
• This position is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).
• Candidates who are offered a job with L&I must possess work authorization that does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future.
• The Department of Labor & Industries complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements of the federal employment eligibility verification form, I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form on the first day of employment.
• Please note: L&I may use this announcement to fill multiple permanent and/or non-permanent positions.

Did You Know?

Washington is to live, play, and work, according to U.S. News (2021). Join the L&I team and enjoy all the Evergreen State has to offer.

In addition to offering a positive balance between life and work, L&I provides one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation. We also believe your voice matters. We value our employees and their work-life balance by encouraging flexible schedules. L&I is a diverse state agency dedicated to the safety and health and security of Washington\'s 3 million workers.

Veterans Preference

Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference should attach to their application a copy of their DD-214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as Social Security numbers. For further information, contact L&I\'s .

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

L&I employees come from all walks of life. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

We believe in the importance of recognizing the value each of us contribute to the success of the agency mission. Having a diverse workforce is this agency\'s greatest resource of strength and knowledge. It is through the combination of talents and abilities that we can pursue finding effective measures to provide the best customer service. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone and we strongly mean everyone.

The State of Washington is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with a disability who need accommodation in the application process or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call 360-902-5700. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our award-winning diverse and inclusive organization.

For more Information

If you have any questions regarding this job posting, program, or the agency, please contact Jason Stedman at or April Sharp at .

Washington State