DSHS YVS Investigator 3

About the Department

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.

About Yakima Valley School

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 redactions as required, and review Special Investigation Unit (SIU) cases for quality and compliance.
• Represent Yakima Valley School in legal proceedings, appeals, and statewide workgroups, 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 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.

Additional information:

• Work schedule: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.
• This position is 100% on-site. 
• Duties performed on-site at this work location will receive an additional 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary.

Ready to start a rewarding career? Apply today!
Along with your application, please include:

• An updated resume
• Three professional references with contact information
  
  

Questions? 
Please reach out to DSHS Recruiter Alex Baclaan at [email protected] and reference job number #06946.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Other Qualifications

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protect­ed veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

Relationship and Reporting Structure (Nepotism) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here. Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position. 

 

 
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Benefits

More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note:  If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits. 

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS).  New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs.  For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP).  This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays 
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday. 

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave 
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave. 

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.  

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave 
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026

Supplemental Questions

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Agency Information

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View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504 Website http://www.careers.wa.gov