Chief Investigator

Initial Posting Date:

Application Deadline:

Agency:

Salary Range:

Position Type:

Position Title:

Job Description:

The Chief Investigator directs OYA's Professional Standards Office (PSO), the agency's investigative branch responsible for ensuring compliance with laws, policies, and standards of accountability. This position oversees agency-wide investigations involving youth, staff, and contractors, with a focus on safeguarding youth safety, dignity, and rights.

As the Chief Investigator, you will:

• Lead and manage OYA's investigative operations, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and legal defensibility.

• Supervise investigative staff, including mentoring, training, and case management.

• Provide oversight of high-profile, criminal, administrative, and multi-agency investigations.

• Advise executive leadership, the Governor's Office, legislators, and external partners on investigative findings and systemic reforms.

• Ensure agency compliance with PREA, mandatory child abuse reporting, and other state and federal requirements.

• Champion trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and equity-centered investigative practices.

This is a high-visibility leadership position with direct impact on public trust, agency accountability, and youth safety across Oregon.

For a complete list of duties and responsibilities, please click here.

What You Need To Qualify:

• Six years of supervision, management, or progressively related experience; OR
• three years of related experience and a bachelor's degree in a related field.

We are seeking candidates whose experience and leadership best demonstrate the following attributes:

• Advanced experience leading complex criminal and administrative investigations with strong knowledge of evidence handling and reporting integrity.

• Resilient, ethical, and impartial leader with proven ability to build and mentor effective investigative teams.

• Demonstrated ability to balance investigative rigor with youth safety, dignity, and trauma-informed, culturally responsive practices.

• Skilled at conveying complex investigative findings to diverse stakeholders, including executive leadership, law enforcement, and community partners.

• Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, consistently applying an equity lens and professional ethics to high-profile investigative work.

OYA is interested in finding the best candidate for the position. We strongly encourage candidates to apply, even those who might not believe they possess every one of the desired attributes. Applicants who most closely exhibit the desired attributes will be invited to continue in the application process.

Interested? Here's How To Apply:

• Complete the application fully or upload a complete resume including dates of employment and duties/responsibilities of each position.
• Complete the questionnaire / supplemental questions.
• After you submit your application please respond to the public records request authorization and gender identity questionnaire. This step will come after you submit your application and will complete the process. If you are an employee, the tasks can be found in your Workday inbox.
• If you are a veteran, you may receive preference.

A cover letter is required for consideration.

Your cover letter should highlight your experience, knowledge, and abilities that best demonstrate how you meet the desired attributes for this position. Please use your cover letter to:

• Explain how you meet the Desired Attributes.

• Provide specific examples from your resume/application that show how your investigative leadership, supervision, equity practices, and decision-making align with the needs of this role.

• Share your vision for leading investigations at OYA, including how you would approach high-profile investigative oversight, accountability, and stakeholder engagement.

When preparing your cover letter, consider addressing some or all of the following points:

• How you have led criminal or administrative investigations involving sensitive or high-stakes cases.

• How you have applied a DEI and equity lens in investigative practices, youth safety, or policy recommendations.

• How you have made impartial, difficult decisions while ensuring accountability and maintaining public trust.

• How you have cultivated multi-agency partnerships and built transparency into your investigative processes.

• How you have mentored or supervised investigators, strengthened teams, and advanced professional standards.

• How you have modeled ethics, professionalism, and integrity in your investigative leadership.

Please limit to no more than 3 pages for your cover letter and ensure it is in PDF format for accessibility. Applications with generic cover letters may be considered nonresponsive and could eliminate the application from further consideration.

Note: Your resume and cover letter may be uploaded in the Resume/CV field on the online application. You can attach multiple files in this area at once

Additional Information:

• This position is not approved for hybrid telework and is required in office work at our Central Office location in Salem, Monday thru Friday.

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

• Your application materials are used to determine your starting salary range. Through an equal pay assessment, we will determine the salary offer using the information you provide in your submitted application materials. Please ensure your application materials are detailed, accurate and reflect your skills, experience (paid and unpaid) and education as they relate to the position when applying.For more information on pay equity, click here.

• The salary range listed is the non-PERS participating rate. If you are already a participating PERS member or once you become PERS eligible, the salary range will increase by 6%. Please review the Classification and Compensation page for more details.

• This position receives annual increases on the anniversary date until the maximum of the salary range is reached.

• 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.

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage: The use of outside resources such as Artificial Intelligence software during applicant skill assessments, examinations, and/or interviews is prohibited unless otherwise stated by the hiring agency. Unauthorized use of outside resources during the hiring process will result in disqualification.

Possible Interview Dates:

• VidCruiter video interview (virtual): November 4-7

• 2nd round interviews (in-person): November 13

• 3rd round interviews (in-person): November 19

NOTE: The first round of interviews will be conducted via VidCruiter, an online video interview platform that offers flexibility by allowing you to complete your interview within a given time window. We want to give all candidates ample time and support to participate comfortably. Access to a computer or smartphone with internet, a camera, and a microphone will be necessary.

About OYA

The Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) is a national leader in the juvenile justice field, pioneering the implementation of a positive human development framework for its work with staff and youth, and using data to match the right youth with the right services. We seek to foster cultural competence and pursue equitable solutions to support youth under our care. Our agency mission is to protect the public and reduce crime by holding youth accountable and providing opportunities for reformation in safe environments.

If you are looking to join a team that values individual and cultural differences and the opportunity to contribute in the success of youth reformation by enriching our workforce with diversity, OYA wants to hear from you!

People of color, women and other members of historically underserved communities are strongly encouraged to apply!

For more information please visitwww.oregon.gov/oya.

What's in it for You?
OYA values our employees. We believe that your time outside of the workplace is as valuable as it is inside the workplace. We offer a great work/life balance with flexible work schedules on most positions and a competitive benefits package, including low-cost, high-coverage health insurance, generous time-off, and a competitive retirement plan.

Discover moreabout working in Oregon state government byclicking here.

Additional Information

Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we are here to serve. OYA is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be individualized based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law." The more diverse we are, the better our work will be.

Applicants with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process. For assistance regarding reasonable accommodation or for alternative format please contact OYA Recruitment at 971-345-1236. Oregon Relay Service can be reached by calling 7-1-1.

Pre-employment Checks:

In keeping with our mission, OYA will conduct a criminal record check, per OAR 416 Division 800, a driving record background check and a vulnerable population abuse and neglect check. Information obtained about an individual is confidential. An individual who refuses to consent to a criminal records/background check shall be disqualified from consideration in the position for which you applied. All applicants are subject to additional pre-employment check(s) such as fingerprint based on criminal records check, pre-employment drug screening and/or education verification as required for the position.

In 2003 Congress passed the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), the first federal civil statue focused specifically on addressing sexual violence in juvenile facilities, jails, prisons, and other facilities. In recognition of the rights, safety, and well-being of the youth we serve you will be asked specific questions about your background to ensure our hiring and promotion practices comply with the National PREA standards.

All positions in OYA will require the incumbent to serve as a "mandatory reporter" of child abuse.

Visa Sponsorship:

We do not offer Visa sponsorship. If you are hired, you will be required to fill out the US Department of Homeland Security's I-9 form confirming you are able to work in the US. OYAuses E-Verify to confirm that applicants are authorized to work in the United States.

Have Questions?:

For questions about the job announcement, contact our Recruitment Team OYAjobs@oya.oregon.gov