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Damage Prevention Investigator 3


Job Location:

Lacey, WA - USA

Yearly Salary: USD 71136 - 93288
Posted: 29 August 2026 (30+ days ago)
Application Deadline: 26 November 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Description


WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

Respect. Professionalism. Integrity. Accountability.


Damage Prevention Investigator 3

Investigator 3


Salary Consideration:

For this position Step A is $71136 per year and Step L is $93288. The high end of the salary range Step M is $95676 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 agencys 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 ofdiversity 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 ourwebsite.


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:

  1. Letter of Interest - describing how you meet the position qualifications and why you believe you are the ideal candidate.
  2. Resume- detailing your applicable competencies experience and education.
  3. 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 thanplease note the recruitment title and apply through Washington states 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 or email.

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.

Duties

What youll 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 Programs goals and objectives and is an essential element of the Pipeline Safetys annual federal certification process.


Additional duties include but arent 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 bachelors 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:



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 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 or email the UTC HR office at. For TTY service please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-.



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.



For more information about the UTC please visit:

State of Washington: