ESD Investigator

Note: Employees for the State of Montana must reside within Montana. All applications and required application documents must be submitted through the MT Careers site at: into a role where your work has a real impact on peoples lives in Montana. As an Employment Standards Division (ESD) Investigator with the Human Rights Bureau you will make sure discrimination complaints are taken seriously investigated thoroughly and resolved with integrity so every Montanan knows their rights are protected.

MISSION STATEMENT:

Empowering all Montanans through work and opportunity.

Its about the people and the impact we make in our communities every day. We are proud of our open team-based supportive and collaborative work environments. Learn more about DLIhere.

Position Overview:

Make a real impact in the lives of Montanans by standing up for fairness dignity and equal opportunity. As an ESD Investigator with the Human Rights Bureau youll play a key role in protecting civil rights across our state leading impartial investigations into discrimination complaints and helping ensure every person is treated with respect.
Every day brings meaningful challenges interviewing people to uncover the facts reviewing records and data and analyzing how individuals were treated. Youll translate complex civil rights laws into plain language and guide people through difficult emotional situations with empathy professionalism and neutrality. This is your chance to help uphold Montanas promise of equality and make communities stronger for everyone who calls this state home.

Whats In It For You:

• Build advanced investigation interviewing and communication skills while collaborating with attorneys advocates and partner organizations.
• Develop your analytical and legal reasoning abilities as you manage cases from intake through final findings. This experience will prepare you for future roles in law policy compliance or public service.
• Gain deep knowledge of civil rights law administrative processes and evidentiary standards learning how investigation outcomes inform training community outreach and continuous improvement.
• Strengthen your ability to explain complex legal ideas in plain language and write clear objective reports that tell the story of your investigation.
• This full time role offers the chance to support communities across Montana while enjoying the states outdoor recreation strong sense of community and high quality of life.

Essential Functions:

• Conduct intake interviews with individuals and organizations to assess potential civil rights violations and draft formal complaints when appropriate.
• Review complaints to confirm jurisdiction identify issues plan investigative steps and track case progress to resolution.
• Prepare and carry out interviews with charging parties respondents witnesses and attorneys documenting information clearly and accurately.
• Request and examine relevant documentation such as employment policies personnel records or communications to evaluate claims and defenses.
• Apply state and federal legal standards to the facts determining whether there is reasonable cause to believe discrimination occurred.
• Communicate clearly and respectfully with participants throughout each stage ensuring they understand process timelines and potential outcomes.
• Provide excellent customer service by responding promptly professionally and thoughtfully in both routine and sensitive interactions.
• Keep thorough and timely electronic case records in compliance with legal and agency policies.

Required Skills and Competencies:

• Analytical thinking: Ability to gather information from multiple sources identify key issues and draw logical well supported conclusions.
• Active listening and interviewing skills: Skilled at asking thoughtful questions exploring multiple perspectives and building trust with participants who may have conflicting viewpoints.
• Clear and professional communication: Able to explain processes and findings in plain language both verbally and in writing while maintaining neutrality and respect.
• Emotional intelligence: Maintain professionalism and empathy in tense or emotionally charged conversations demonstrating patience and impartiality.
• Time and case management: Strong organizational skills to manage multiple investigations simultaneously track progress and meet deadlines.
• Attention to detail: Consistently produce thorough accurate and well reasoned documentation that supports fair and defensible outcomes.
• Ethical judgment and discretion: Handle sensitive and confidential information responsibly ensuring privacy and integrity in every case.
• Technical proficiency: Comfortable using Microsoft Office Adobe and case management or database systems to enter organize and analyze data efficiently.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Education and Experience)

• Two years of related experience conducting investigations interviews or other factfinding that involves gathering information from multiple sources and making objective wellsupported decisions about what the facts show.
• Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying statutes rules policies or procedures related to civil rights including laws governing discrimination in employment housing education or public accommodations.
• Proven ability to write clear organized reports summaries or official correspondence that explain analysis and the basis for an agency or organizational decision.
• Proficiency using computers and common office software (such as Microsoft Office email and webbased databases or casemanagement systems) to manage information create documents and communicate with others.
• A degree in fields such as law human resources business sociology public administration or a related area may supplement relevant professional experience but is not a substitute for demonstrated skills and competencies in the areas noted above. Equivalent combinations of education and directly related experience will be considered.
  

HOW TO APPLY FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY:

A complete state application is not required; however you will need to initiate the application and attach the resume cover letter or other required documents at time of application to be considered for this position. Resume will auto fill the application but the application will not be scored or reviewed.

Failure to attach the cover letter and resume will result in your application being considered incomplete and will not be considered further. Materials submitted but not requested will not be considered in the selection process.

Tip: When attaching your resume cover letter or other required documents you must mark the attachments as RELEVANT or we will be unable to view your documents.

Required application materials:

• Cover Letter - Your Cover Letter should explain how your experience and education meet the identified Knowledge Skills and Abilities with examples that demonstrate your qualifications.
• Resume - include all work experience you have held that would help you qualify for this position including duties dates of employment.

Only online applications will be accepted. By applying online you can receive updates and monitor the status of your application.

All documents for Veteran or Disability preference must be received or date stamped by the closing date. You will receive an application confirmation email with instructions on acceptable preference documents and how to submit such documents.

If you need an accommodation with the application process please contact the HR office.

BENEFITS:

Being able to enjoy the quality of life in the beautiful state of Montana is one of the benefits you will love about this opportunity! Our mountains waterways and open spaces provide not only beautiful scenery but year-round recreational opportunities including hiking camping biking fishing boating hunting skiing and snowmobiling. Montana boasts a high-quality education system and a variety of entertainment including fairs rodeos and theaters. Read more about our great state here.

See our other incredible benefits here. These are some of our benefits just to name a few:

• Work/life balance with hybrid schedules or partial telework may be available within the state of Montana.
• 38 paid days off a year including vacation sick leave and holidays.
• Military leave: Youll get up to 15 days of military leave with full pay.
• Longevity raises with continuous service as well as any negotiated market increases and state statutory raises.
• Health dental vision life insurance coverage flexible spending accounts EAP - clickhere to learn more.
• Free telehealth and access to free employee medical clinics through our medical plan - click here to learn more.
• Choice between two retirement plans with an employer contribution between 8.73% - 9.07% of your annual salary. A third optional 457(b) deferred compensation plan is also available. Click here to learn more.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness- Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive loan forgiveness- clickhere to learn more!
• Career progression training opportunities and room for professional growth.
• State employee discounts at various businesses across the state.

This position may be eligible for a statutory $1.00 an hour base pay increase effective on July 1 2026.

*This position may be covered by aVoluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA)