Labor Standards Investigator (Compliance Specialist 2) Statewide Only

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The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) is proud to be an equal opportunity; affirmative action employer committed to workforce diversity. We welcome members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQIA2S community members, and others to apply.

BOLI, Wage and Hour Division is hiring Compliance Specialist 2 (CS2) positions for full‑time hybrid roles (with weekly onsite requirements). In this role, you will lead complex investigations, evaluate compliance with wage and hour laws, and take enforcement action based on detailed case findings. You will collect and analyze evidence, conduct interviews, perform advanced wage calculations, prepare legally defensible reports and determinations, and coordinate actions that support administrative hearings or litigation. Your work strengthens labor standards across Oregon and directly advances BOLI’s mission to protect workers’ rights statewide.

Note: The successful candidate may work from the Portland, Salem, or Eugene office. Fluency in Spanish (speaking, reading, and writing) is preferred.

Here’s what you will do:   

Below is a sample of job duties. It is not meant to encompass all duties. 

• Conduct investigations by collecting, reviewing, and analyzing records, evidence, documents, and data relevant to the investigation.

• Conduct on-site inspections to ascertain status of compliance with laws.

• Conduct research utilizing various online databases and websites to collect critical case details and information.

• Interview claimants/complainants, employers, attorneys, union representatives, public officials, witnesses, and others, and document interviews through written statements and contact reports.

• Perform complex wage calculations using Microsoft Excel and analyze a high volume of claims and complaints to ensure timely processing in accordance with Division performance standards.

• Monitor employer business practices, conduct compliance reviews and audits, and consult with other government agencies to clarify regulatory issues and support enforcement activities.

• Interpret and apply relevant laws, rules, and policies to case findings to determine outcomes or prepare cases for administrative hearings or referral to the Department of Justice for litigation.

• Facilitate dispute resolution through mediation, negotiation, or referral, and negotiate settlements and compliance agreements with employers and other stakeholders to recover wages and ensure compliance.

• Prepare correspondence, demand letters, orders of determination, settlement agreements, compliance agreements, and other written documentation.

• Participate in task forces, research changes in state or federal laws, and perform special assignments or other duties as assigned. 

This Is What You Need to Qualify:

Four years’ experience doing administrative research that included compiling and evaluating facts to recommend management action or decide compliance with program guidelines and regulations. Two of the four years must be above the technical support level.

Note: college-level course work may substitute for experience based on 45-quarter units per year, up to a maximum of three years.

The ideal candidate will possess the following desired skills and attributes:

• Experience managing a high-volume caseload (e.g., cases, claims, investigations, or similar workload) with the ability to prioritize tasks and consistently meet deadlines. 

• Ability to research, interpret, and apply complex laws, rules, policies, and procedures to determine compliance. 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex legal or regulatory information to individuals from diverse backgrounds using a culturally responsive approach. 

• Experience conducting interviews with employees, employers, witnesses, and other parties to assess compliance with statutes and administrative rules. 

• Experience conducting investigations, including collecting and analyzing evidence, performing audits, and completing complex wage calculations to determine compliance or violations.

• Experience preparing clear, detailed written reports summarizing investigations, findings, and recommendations for use in administrative hearings or court proceedings. 

• Experience mediating or negotiating settlements between parties.  

Why Join Us

Our mission...

Led by Labor Commissioner Christina Stephenson, the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) work to 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 a highly skilled workforce 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.

Working Conditions:

Daily contact via phone, email, mail, and/or in-person with employees, employers, witnesses and others who may be hostile, angry or otherwise emotionally volatile. Must be able to maintain objectivity, negotiate and 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. Position requires occasional evening and/or weekend work and occasional travel to perform field work that may involve overnight stays. Drivers’ license valid in the state of Oregon and acceptable driving record is required.

What's In It For You

• Work/life balance, vacation, sick leave, 11 paid holidays a year, and personal days off 

• Competitive benefits package including medical, vision, and dental 

• Pension and retirement programs 

• Employee Resources

• 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 

• 5% bilingual pay differential is available upon passing the bilingual assessment and when bilingual skills are required.

• Possible eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program 

How to Apply

Please Note: Applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM PDT/PST on  Thursday, September 24, 2026.  

• Click “Apply” above to submit your application by the posted closing date. 

• Your application must clearly show how you meet the minimum qualifications and desired skills. 

• All applicants (internal and external) must submit a resume and a cover letter; Workday profile information does not replace these requirements. 

• Submit a resume and a cover letter that clearly show how you meet all minimum & special qualifications and required skills. Cover letters that do not address the requested skills may receive lower scores, which can affect whether you move forward. Applications missing a required resume or cover letter will not move forward. 

• Please do not include photos in your application materials, as doing so may result in disqualification. 

• Be sure to check Workday and your email for additional tasks and updates. After submitting, check your Workday inbox and email for required follow‑up tasks (public records authorization, gender identity questionnaire). This must be completed before the recruitment closes. Current State of Oregon employees will receive these tasks in their Workday inbox.   

• Answer the checkbox questions in the questionnaire that appears after submitting your application. State employees will find these tasks in their 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 times out after 15 minutes of inactivity. Use “Save for later” to avoid losing progress; your unfinished application will appear in your Workday inbox.  

Additional Information  

• Pay equity Law passed in 2017, as required by Oregon law, will determine the salary step based on your documented experience, education, training, and certifications the application materials. 

• This is a PERS‑qualifying position. New PERS members receive a 6.95% salary increase and contribute 6% to PERS after a six‑month waiting period. Current PERS members already have the 6.95% contribution added to base salary. 

• Work Authorization - The Bureau of Labor and Industries does not provide visa sponsorship. New hires must complete Form I‑9 within three days of hire and present valid US work‑authorization documents. Learn more.   

• The Bureau of Labor and Industries uses E‑Verify to confirm work authorization in the US. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.  

• The successful candidate will further BOLI’s North Star guiding principles of integrity, respect, empowerment, and trust fulfilling our mission to make Oregon the best place to live and work. 

• Use of outside resources, including AI tools, during assessments or interviews is prohibited and may result in disqualification. 

• This recruitment will be used to establish a list of qualified candidates to fill the current position and may be used to fill future vacancies. 

• BOLI complies with SB 907 (2025). Do not include age‑related details, such as graduation dates. State employees may need to remove graduation dates from their Workday profile for application submission.

Employment Preference   

 Veterans’ preference:  

• Veterans’ preference information.

• How to submit your Veteran documents for 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 format to complete 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 (503) 400-7332  

Fax (503) 400-7332  

• The recruiter for this position is Lisa Santiago HR Analyst 2. If you contact the recruiter, please include the job requisition number (REQ#)

• Email: lisa.n.santiago@boli.oregon.gov               

Helpful Links  

Understanding the State Application Process  

Help & Support web page  

Learn more about Oregon