Job Description

Posting number: 2026-07071

Department: Utilities and Transportation Commission

Division: Pipeline Safety

Job classification: INVESTIGATOR 3

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Code Enforcement, Public Safety, Investigative, Safety, Utilities

WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

Respect. Professionalism. Integrity. Accountability.

Damage Prevention Investigator 3

Investigator 3

Salary Consideration:

For this position, Step A is $71,136 per year and Step L is $93,288. The high end of the salary range, Step M, is $95,676, and is typically a longevity step. All employees progress to Step M six (6) years after being assigned to Step L in their permanent salary range.

This recruitment is open until September 09, 2026, at 11:59pm.

The Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) reserves the right to make a hiring decision and/or choose to close or extend this recruitment at any given time after seven (7) days from the date posted. Applications for this recruitment could be used to fill comparable positions that open within the next 60 days.

The Opportunity:
The UTC is seeking to fill the role of one (1) Investigator 3 within the Pipeline Safety Division. This position directly supports the agency’s mission to protect consumers through independent policy, investigative, research, and enforcement activities that ensure regulated companies provide services in accordance with UTC rules and regulations designed to ensure services are fairly priced, available, reliable, and safe.

Hybrid

Although this is a hybrid opportunity, the successful incumbent must reside within Washington state. This position is eligible to telework but will be required to report on-site to meet business needs.

Travel

Occasional travel during and outside normal work hours throughout the state for investigations, meetings, hearings, or other program-related activities. Methods of travel may include driving or riding in motor vehicles or traveling on commercial aircraft. Out-of-state travel may occur for conferences and events of program significance.

Our Mission:

To protect the people of Washington by ensuring that investor-owned utility and transportation services are safe, equitable, available, reliable, and fairly priced.

Our Vision:

To strive to achieve equitable and fair outcomes as a regulator of utility and transportation services and prioritize inclusion and belonging in the workplace.

What We Offer Our Employees:

UTC fosters an environment of diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) and belonging, while striving to hire and retain a workforce from the communities we serve.
We place importance on a healthy balance between personal and professional lives; offering flexible work schedules, wellness programs, and mobile/telework opportunities.
Through the state, our employees (and their families) are offered options for medical, dental, vision and basic life insurance.
We offer enrollment into the state retirement programs and a deferred compensation plan.
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

For more information about our benefits or working at UTC, please visit our website

How to Apply

Interested in joining the UTC team? Click the Apply button at the top to begin! To be considered for further screening, ensure you attach the following documents to your completed application:

Letter of Interest - describing how you meet the position qualifications and why you believe you are the ideal candidate.
Resume - detailing your applicable competencies, experience and education.
References - At minimum, three (3) professional references with current telephone numbers and email addresses must be included with your application; one (1) contact MUST be your current or most recent supervisor.

The initial screening of candidates will be solely based on the contents and completeness of the application materials, including answers provided to the ‘Supplemental Questionnaire’, along with the additional application materials submitted as part of the application process.

If you are viewing this recruitment on any website other than www.careers.wa.gov, please note the recruitment title and apply through Washington state’s official portal. Your application may be received incomplete when using a third-party website. If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email support@neogov.com

NOTE indicating ‘see resume’ will not substitute for completing the "work experience" section or supplemental questionnaire of the application packet and may result in your submission being marked incomplete.

Examples of duties

What you’ll do:

The Investigator 3 independently conducts damage prevention investigations of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 19.122. This position inspects the records and operations of persons and companies to ensure compliance with safety laws, rules, regulations, and standards. This position recommends appropriate corrective action when violations are found; provides technical assistance regarding safety laws, rules, regulations, and standards to companies and commission management; and prepares written reports or other documents containing the results of inspections and investigations. Maintains accurate records of investigations and findings related to all potential violations of RCW 19.122.

Develops staff testimony and exhibits for adjudicated proceedings; develops declarations; responds to company requests for mitigation; participates in settlement discussions; presents written or live testimony at adjudicated proceedings, both as part of the main case and in rebuttal; and assists the Attorney General staff in the analysis of testimony and exhibits and preparation of cross-examination of other parties.

In this role, the successful incumbent represents the agency in formal proceedings regarding the investigation activities. The Investigator 3 participates in, and makes recommendations on, program enhancements. This position provides technical assistance and information to the members of the public, industry representatives, and others interested in damage prevention. This position is critical to the achievement of the Damage Prevention Program’s goals and objectives and is an essential element of the Pipeline Safety’s annual federal certification process.

Additional duties include, but aren’t limited to the following:

Participates in reviews and meetings with the Washington State Dig Law Safety Committee (WDLSC); provides guidance, consultation and technical assistance regarding RCW applicability as needed, Reviews recommendations submitted by the WDLSC and either supports or denies those recommendations based on the merits of the case and equity of the proposed penalty. This includes evaluating the history of violations, severity and scope of the incident, and overall risk to the community.
Attends CCOPS meetings as a subject matter expert in damage prevention as needed.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

The commission values diverse career paths and recognizes that competencies may be acquired through a combination of education, training, certifications, research, volunteer service, lived experience, military service, professional practice, or other demonstrated accomplishments.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate the ability to:

Proficiently apply investigative methods, principles, standards, and recordkeeping practices to research, analyze, gather, and document information and evidence to assess compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Clearly document investigative findings and communicate results in a manner that supports informed decision-making and appropriate action.
Independently read, comprehend, and accurately interpret written materials. Skilled in editing and preparing written communications to improve clarity, organization, grammar, usage, and overall style.
Identify, collect, organize, and document data and information in a manner that supports effective assessment, analysis, and investigation.
Proficiently use analytical and critical thinking to evaluate complex issues, assess risks and impacts, identify patterns and root causes, and make informed recommendations.
Accurately apply research and data to develop practical, equitable, and sustainable solutions that promote compliance, improve processes, and support organizational goals.
Proficiency in using standard computer applications, including Microsoft Word and Excel, to collect, analyze, and present information.
Effectively use databases, case-tracking systems, and internet-based resources to research, retrieve, organize, and manage data and information effectively.
Proficiently present information in public forums and communicate clearly, professionally, and persuasively in formal settings. Demonstrated ability to provide testimony and respond confidently and accurately during cross-examination in legal or administrative proceedings.

Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Competencies:

The ability to take action to learn and grow: Takes responsibility for knowing their own strengths and weaknesses and uses their learning to make government programs and processes more efficient and effective to serve all in Washington.
The ability to take action to meet the needs of others: Flexible, adaptable, customer-service focused, and willing and able to empathetically respond to the unique needs of the people they work with and serve.

UTCCoreCompetencies:

Accountability
DEI Knowledge, Understanding, & Commitment
Self-Awareness and Commitment to Growth
Cultivating Mutually Beneficial and Trusting Strategic Partnerships
Inclusive Excellence & Allyship
Measuring Success and Improvement
Customer Focus

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

Candidates who demonstrate one or more of the following may be particularly successful in this role:

A bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, criminal justice, law, or related field.
Operational knowledge of project management databases, such as QuickBase.
Interpretation of state laws, commission rules and regulations, and broad regulatory principles and practices related to consumers protection and the oversight of regulated services.

Supplemental information

READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION COMPLETELY:

This position is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).
The successful incumbent must complete the following training with six (6) months of hire:
1. Washington Dig Safe
2. Washington Locator
3. WA State Investigator Training Core
The RCW 80.01.020 limits the UTC's ability to employ any person who owns stock in any company the UTC regulates or is otherwise financially interested in such company. Such interests include those of an employee's spouse.
UTC does not use E-Verify. Therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM-Optional Practice Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov

If you have gotten this far and are thinking you do not qualify, consider again! Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At the UTC, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging. If you are excited about this role but your experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may just be the candidate needed for this or other roles.

All information may be verified; additional documentation may be required. Candidates may be disqualified if the education and/or work experience does not include information used to meet the minimum qualifications of the job.

The UTC is an equal opportunity employer. We want to make sure you have an equal opportunity to join our team. Our commitment is making sure current and future employees are treated fairly and equally without regard to age, sex (including gender identity), race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status, or religious or political affiliation.

Persons needing accommodation in the application process may contact the recruiter via telephone at (360) 664-1130 or email the UTC HR office at humanresources@utc.wa.gov For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

Veterans Preference

For information about YesVets click here.

Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference should attach to their application a copy of their redacted 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 UTC Human Resources at humanresources@utc.wa.gov

For more information about the UTC, please visit:

www.utc.wa.gov, www.twitter.com/wautc and www.facebook.com/wautc

The State of Washington:
http://access.wa.gov

About Clark County WA

With its great natural beauty, Clark County, Washington, always has attracted people and settlements. Framed by the scenic Cascade Range to the east and the majestic Columbia River to the south and west, the area is a picturesque place to work, play and live.

Named for Captain William Clark of Lewis and Clark Expedition frame, our county is one of the fastest growing regions in Washington state and the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area. Today, more than 440,000 people call Clark County home.

Clark County government is one of the county's largest employers, providing a wide range of challenging positions for about 1,570 people. You can learn about current job openings, the application process, job descriptions, pay schedule and employee benefits on the Clark County Human Resources website at https://www.clark.wa.gov/human-resources.

The mission of Clark County government is to enhance the quality of life in our diverse community by providing services with integrity, openness and accountability.

Industry

Government & Public Safety

Company Size

501-1,000 employees

Headquarters

Vancouver, WA

Year Founded

1844

Website

wa.gov

Social Media