Civil Rights Investigations Program Attorney

Overview

EXEMPT

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

Civil Rights Investigations Program Attorney

$105,264 – $117,613 annually

Closes October 15, 2025

We are the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) seeking to fill a Civil Rights Investigations Program Attorney position. This full-time position is based in Olympia, Washington. This position may be eligible for partial to near-full-time telework. Telework is a combination of in-building and off-site days. We encourage interested candidates to visit the OSPI website to gain insight into our agency.

Position Overview

The Equity and Civil Rights Office is a respectful and inclusive work environment where teamwork, professionalism, customer service, and work–life balance are highly valued. The Equity and Civil Rights Office's work includes a diverse mix of monitoring and investigations, policy and resource development, and technical assistance. The Equity and Civil Rights Office leads initiatives including gender-inclusive schools, language access, and systemic approaches to preventing and responding to discriminatory harassment in K–12 public schools. The program aims to build school districts' capacity to eliminate discrimination.

The Civil Rights Investigations Program Attorney is a strong leader and skilled civil rights investigator, reporting to the Equity and Civil Rights Managing Attorney within OSPI's Office of Legal Affairs and Equity and Civil Rights Office. This position provides leadership and coordination for OSPI's discrimination complaint investigation process, ensuring compliance with state and federal law.

The Program Attorney leads the Equity and Civil Rights Office's investigations work, including managing complaint intake and evaluations, overseeing quality and promptness of investigations and investigation-related correspondence, and maintaining and developing investigation procedures. The Program Attorney engages collaboratively with Equity and Civil Rights team members who participate in investigations to provide coaching, assistance with investigation planning, and drafting and editing support, while maintaining an investigation caseload. The Program Attorney also works closely with the Managing Attorney on strategies and decision-making.

This role requires strong leadership, legal analysis, investigation planning and coordination, oral and written communication, and coaching skills to ensure consistent, effective, and legally sound management of the Equity and Civil Rights discrimination complaint workload.

Key Responsibilities

• Leads and supports overall project management of OSPI investigations into alleged discrimination and violations of state nondiscrimination law, rules, and guidelines in Washington K–12 public schools. This includes overseeing internal processing procedures; planning, organizing, and managing ongoing investigative work; establishing goals and internal timelines; overseeing complaint intake; and establishing and maintaining templates and legal standards.
• Provides leadership and coordination for OSPI's discrimination complaint investigation process, including coaching and assisting Equity and Civil Rights staff with investigation planning, strategy, and writing. Consults with and provides recommendations to the Managing Attorney on appropriate actions related to investigations, including advising on scope, evidence questions, and application of law and appropriate resolutions.
• Responds to allegations and complaints of discrimination by coordinating and conducting investigations, including identifying legal issues, reviewing data, conducting interviews and on-site visits, developing reports, negotiating voluntary resolution agreements, and monitoring corrective action.
• Conducts legal research and analyzes nondiscrimination laws, rules, case law, and guidance.
• Participates in developing, implementing, and enforcing rules and guidelines to eliminate discrimination in public school employment, counseling and guidance, activities, access to course offerings, and textbooks / materials, as required under RCW chapters 28A.640 and 28A.642.
• Develops and disseminates accurate and professional technical assistance, guidance, and resources related to civil rights in Washington K–12 public schools.
• Designs, facilitates, and provides trainings / workshops for school districts and other interested parties regarding civil rights laws, district responsibilities, student / family rights, and complaint procedures.
• Collaborates with other OSPI departments on issues related to civil rights and other legal issues, including assisting with investigations, research, or other assignments for the Office of Legal Affairs.

Required Qualifications

Desired Qualifications

Compensation

The annual compensation for the position is $105,264 – $117,613 per year and depends upon experience, educational background and qualifications. Geographic differentials may be applied based on the work location of the successful candidate. Washington State offers a generous benefit package including health, dental and life insurance, retirement and an optional deferred compensation program. Please visit Health Care Authority for information regarding health benefits and the Department of Retirement Systems for retirement plan information. This position serves at the pleasure of the Superintendent and is Civil Service Exempt. This position is not represented by a bargaining unit.

Application Process

Those interested in this position must apply through Careers.wa.gov. Applications must include the following documents in MS Word or PDF format : A letter of interest specifically addressing the qualifications listed in this announcement; A current résumé; and A list of three or more professional references.

NOTE : Your resume and letter of interest must be attached to your application. Please confirm they are attached before you submit. For questions contact Sal Salazar, Human Resources, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, 600 Washington Street Southeast, Olympia, WA 98504-7200, 360-725-6278, sal.salazar@k12.wa.us. Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact the Human Resources Office at (360) 725-6270 or (360) 725-6066, or e-mail hroffice@k12.wa.us. OSPI is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from diverse candidates. Details on accommodations and equal employment opportunities are provided in the original listing.

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