State of Washington Is Hiring A L&I Industrial Relations Agent 2

Join Our Mission to Keep Washington Safe and Working! 🌟

We are dedicated to promoting fair labor standards and ensuring a safe, equitable workplace environment across Washington State. Our core values emphasize Customer Focus, Unity ("One L&I"), Respect, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Continuous Learning & Growth, and Reliability.

Note: Bilingual applicants will be assessed on their Spanish fluency — speaking and writing — without translation software. Employees with bilingual responsibilities receive a 5% pay increase.

Job Highlights 🚀

As an Industrial Relations Agent 2, you'll deliver education, outreach, consultation, and enforcement services to both English and Spanish-speaking customers. Your focus will be on enforcing the anti-retaliation provisions of the Minimum Wage Act, enhancing awareness of Washington’s labor standards for employers and employees alike.

Key Duties & Responsibilities 🎯

• Independently investigate and resolve retaliation complaints and administrative violations under the Minimum Wage Act. Apply your judgment within the bounds of relevant laws and agency policies.
• Identify issues in disputes, propose solutions, and mediate settlements between employers and employees involved in retaliation cases.
• Gather evidence by interviewing witnesses, reviewing records, and observing workplace conditions. Conduct interviews both in person and via phone to collect testimonies.
• Communicate effectively in both English and Spanish with employers, representatives, and employees through calls, emails, and written correspondence. Educate parties about applicable laws, rules, and policies.
• Assess complaint validity by applying laws like RCW 49.46 and determining if a protected activity or adverse action exists.
• Translate and communicate with diverse individuals in Spanish and English to resolve disputes.
• Investigate other employment standards issues such as paid sick leave, tips, and service charge complaints.
• Support retaliation education by assisting specialists with consultations designed for employers and workers regarding retaliation rules and broader employment law, in both languages.

Qualifications ✅

Required:

• 4 years of experience in labor or employment relations and regulations or
• A relevant Bachelor's Degree plus 1 year of related experience or
• An Associate's Degree plus 2 years of related experience

And:

• Fluency in both Spanish and English — reading, writing, and speaking
• Ability to learn and grow proactively
• Commitment to meeting the needs of others

Desired Skills & Experience 🌟

• Experience working with employees who have faced retaliation and investigating discrimination allegations
• Knowledge of labor laws, policies, and practices, including wage & hour regulations and labor relations contracts
• Ability to interpret complex laws and regulations, analyze wage disputes, and prepare comprehensive written reports
• Experience in explaining laws in a public sector context
• Proficiency with tools such as Outlook, Excel, Word, CATS, LINIIS, and BEAR
• Strong investigative skills, including rule of evidence, auditing, and data preservation
• Understanding of federal and state employment standards interaction

If you are passionate about fostering fair labor practices and making a difference in Washington State, we want to hear from you! 🚀