Worker Advocate Specialist (OPA2)
Portland, OR - USA
Job Summary
Initial Posting Date:
06/04/2026Application Deadline:
06/22/2026Agency:
Bureau of Labor and IndustriesSalary Range:
$5458 - $8352Position Type:
EmployeePosition Title:
Worker Advocate Specialist (OPA2)Job Description:
The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI)is proud to be an equalopportunity;affirmative action employercommitted to workforce diversity. We welcome members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups women individuals with disabilities veterans LGBTQIA2S community members and others to apply.
BOLIThe Legal Policy Division is offering a full-time permanent Worker Advocate Specialist position. This role supports BOLIs statewide efforts to addressimmigrationand national originrelatedcomplianceissues and wage theft affecting vulnerable workers.This positiondevelops and manages policies procedures and programs related to U and T visa certificationsstatements ofinterestcoordinatesthe agencys efforts addressinglabor trafficking whilealsosupporting the divisions customer service and enforcement workacross a broad spectrum of communities serviced. The position promotes consistentequitable and effective enforcement ofemployment and public accommodationlaws across Oregon.
The role works with BOLIs investigative and enforcement divisions the Legal Policy Divisions Customer Service Unit community organizations serving immigrant and vulnerable workers and local partners such as task forces and community coalitions.This is aunion representedposition. This recruitment may be used to filladditionalvacancies as they occur.
Note:We are committed to a supportive environment that promoteswork lifebalance and flexibility. This position may be eligible for a hybrid schedule with occasionalin personmeetings. The selected employee may work from BOLI offices in Portland Salem or Eugene.
Develop revise and administer policies and procedures related to immigrationand national origin connectedoutreach andenforcement including U/T visa certifications.
Analyze enforcement operations to improve service delivery and close gaps for vulnerable communities.
Conduct policy research legislative reviews andwriteanalytic reports and recommendations.
Provide statewide training technicalassistance and outreach to communities and staff.
Build collaborations with culturallyspecific and statewide partners to strengthen protections for vulnerable workers.
Track monitor and coordinate immigrationrelated certification requests and data.
Improve processes within investigative divisions to ensureequitableenforcement through an equity lens.
ABachelors Degree in Business or Public Administration Behavioral or Social Sciences Finance PoliticalScienceor any degreedemonstratingthe capacity for knowledge and skills; and two years professional-level evaluativeanalyticaland planning work.
OR
Any combination of experience and education equivalent to five years of experience that typically supports the knowledge and skills for the classification
Note: the specific type of experience or education requirements will be listed by the recruiting agency based on the position under recruitment
Experience developing and implementing organizational policies and/or procedures within structured regulatory or compliancedriven environments.
Strong research and analytical skills including the ability to interpret legislation analyze complex issues and prepare clear written policy guidance.
Experience handling sensitive or complex immigrationrelated inquiries workflows or program processes.
Ability to develop and deliver training to staff partners or community organizations.
Experience collaborating with culturally specific or communitybased organizations to enhance program outcomes and service delivery.
Knowledge and professional experience working with the laws BOLI enforces.
Our mission...
Led by Labor Commissioner Christina Stephenson the Bureau ofLaborand Industries (BOLI)workto ensure that Oregon jobs are good jobs where workers get paid what they are owed and have a discrimination-free work environment. BOLI protects workers rights through enforcement of state labor laws ensures adherence to civil rights law in public spaces and housing promotes the development of ahighly skilledworkforce through registered apprenticeship programs and provides training and confidential assistance to Oregon employers so they have the tools they need to comply with workplace rules.
Daily contact with employees employerswitnessesand others who may be hostile angry or otherwise emotionally volatile. Must be able tomaintainobjectivitynegotiateand resolve adversarial and emotional disputes with tact and diplomacy. Interviews and on-site investigations may occasionally be conducted at the employers work sites which may be indoors or outdoors. Work sites may be hot cold wet cramped and/or dirty.Long periodsof sitting and extensive use of computers tabletsphonesor another electronic device. Position requires occasional evening and/or weekend work and occasional travel to perform field work that may involve overnight stays. Must have a drivers license valid in Oregon and an acceptable driving record or an acceptable alternative. Presentations and outreach work may occasionally be conducted off site which may be indoors or outdoors.
Permanent Full-time employment
Work/life balance vacation sick leave 11 paid holidays a year and personal days off
Competitive benefits package including medical vision and dental
Advancement opportunities within BOLI and other State agencies
Opportunity to expand your technical and professional skills
Work with others who are passionate about public service
Make a difference in the lives of Oregonians
Possible eligibilityfor thePublic Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Please Note:Applications must besubmittedno later than 11:59 PM PDT/PST onMondayJune22 2026.
Click on the link above to complete youronline applicationandsubmitby the posted closing date and time.
The work experience and/or education section of your application must clearlydemonstratehow you meet the minimum qualifications and desired skills and attributes listed above.
All applicants(Internal and external)mustsubmitaresumeandcover letter as the information inWorkday does not substitute for the application requirements. Your cover letter should clearlydemonstratehow your experience and training align with the minimum qualifications and requested skills and attributes listed in thepost.
Your cover letter must be limited to no more than two (2) pages.
Generic cover letters that do not address the qualities that you have under the requested skills section may receive lower scores than those that addressed therequested skills and information in your resume and cover letter will be used todeterminewhich candidates move forward in the process.
Clearlydemonstratein yourresume andcover letter how you meet all the minimum qualifications andskills and attributes listed above.
Failure tosubmitthe required resume and cover letter may remove your application from consideration.
Please do notinclude picturesin your application materials. Applications that do not meet this requirement will bedeemedineligible for consideration as they do not meet the requirements of the posting.
Be sure to check Workday and your email foradditionaltasks and updates.Aftersubmittingyour application check your Workday inbox and email foradditionalrequired tasks including the public records request authorization and gender identity questionnaire. These tasks must be completed before the recruitment closes. Current State of Oregon employees will receive these tasks in their Workday inbox.
Answer the checkbox-style questions in the questionnaire.This screen will come after yousubmityour application whichcompletestheprocess.If you are a current State of Oregon employee the tasks will come to your Workday inbox.
Please save a copy of this job announcement for your reference as it may not be available for you to view after the job closes.
Warning Workday will timeout after 15 minutes of inactivity and will not save your application progress unless you use the save for later function. If you need to take a break please be sure to click the save for later button to save your progress. You will find your unfinished application in your Workday inbox.
Per the Pay Equity Law passed in 2017 a pay equity analysis will be conducted todeterminewhat pay step the successful candidate will be offered.The analysis will be based on the relevant experience education training and certifications documented in the application materials.
This is a PERS qualifying position. Employees new to the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) will get a 6.95% base salary increase and will pay a 6% employee contribution to PERS afteran initialsix-month waiting period.If you are already a PERS member this positions base salary will includea6.95% increase for employee contribution.
Employment is contingent upon successfully passing a criminal background check. Adverse background information may result in disqualification.
Work Authorization- The Bureau of Labor and Industries does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire all applicantsare required tocomplete the US Department of Homeland Securitys Form I-9 confirming authorization to work in the United States with the appropriate documentation.Learn more.
The Bureau of Labor and Industries is an E-Verify employer and uses E-Verify to confirm that hiresare authorized towork in the United States. For more information please visit.
The successful candidate will furtherBOLIs North Starguiding principles of integrity respect empowerment and trust. At BOLI we lead with integrity and model fairness to fulfill our mission to make Oregon the best place to live and work.
The use of outside resources such as Artificial Intelligence software during applicant skill assessment examinations and/or interview prohibited. Unauthorized use of outside resources during the hiring process will result in disqualification.
This recruitment will be used toestablisha list of qualified candidates to fill the current position and may be used to fill future vacancies as they occur.
BOLIis compliant with SB 907 (2025)effective January 1st 2026.Please do not include any age-related information such as graduation dates in your application.For candidateswho are existing state employees pleasenote that you might need to remove existinggraduationdatesfromthe education section of your candidate profilefor your application to go throughin Workday.
Veterans preference:
Please do not attach your Veterans preference documentation in the Resume/CV field of your application.
If you have a disability or otherwise require an application in an alternate formattocomplete the process you may contact us at:
Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries
Human Resources
1800 SW 1st Ave Suite 500
Portland OR 97201
Phone
Fax
Helpful Links
Learn more aboutOregon
Required Experience:
IC
About Company
The Department of Administrative Services is the central administrative agency of Oregon’s Executive Branch. Our mission is to support state government to serve the people of Oregon. By providing reliable service, accurate information and creative solutions, we strive to set the ...