Employment Standards Investigator I

About the role

The Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet advances education, workforce development, and economic opportunity across the Commonwealth. The Cabinet provides education and training programs, employment and reemployment services, unemployment insurance, and disability determination services to help Kentuckians gain skills, find work, and maintain economic stability. It partners with education providers, workforce boards, and employers to align training with labor market needs and oversees labor programs that promote fair and safe workplaces.

The Division of Wages and Hours is seeking an Employment Standards Investigator I in the Wage and Hour Branch. This position will perform entry-level duties in the investigation of business establishments and public works construction projects to ensure compliance with Kentucky and Federal Labor laws.

Location and work arrangement

This position offers a remote workstation based on the selected candidate's home address in the following counties: Anderson, Breckenridge, Bullitt, Franklin, Hardin, Jefferson, Larue, Meade, Nelson, Shelby, Spencer, and Washington counties.

Responsibilities

• Under direct supervision, perform entry level inspections and investigations of employers and public works construction projects to ensure compliance with state and federal labor laws such as but not limited to: wage and hour, child labor violations, recordkeeping and exemption of coverage
• Learns to accurately record reports such as but not limited to: the Report of Findings, Final Report, Notice of Violation to employer, and weekly or daily log
• Keep division management apprised of case status and submit all records and reports to division management in a timely manner
• With guidance, interview employees and employers and substantiate complaints and determine if any violations of labor laws exist
• When violations are found, hold discussion with employers and employees and when possible come to an amicable agreement for wages due and for future compliance, as approved by division management
• Follow up with employers on cases with settlement agreements to ensure compliance with the agreement
• Attend meetings, seminars and training sessions as required

Requirements

• Graduate of a college or university with a bachelor's degree
• Experience in the inspection, auditing, or analysis of accounting, financial, or payroll records or in a math related field will substitute for the required education on a year-for-year basis

Qualifications

• This position requires routine travel to and from the workstation, as it is crucial for conducting on-site audits and investigations. This travel component is integral to the role's responsibilities
• The position could be called to inspect locations throughout Kentucky as needed
• During initial training, the position will require overnight travel to Frankfort for several weeks
• This position will have access to confidential and sensitive information. The successful candidate will be required to ensure the safeguarding and security of all confidential and sensitive information and will be required to complete trainings, sign acknowledgments, follow all policies, and adhere to all statutes and requirements pertaining to the safeguarding and security of confidential and sensitive information while employed and after employment ends

Benefits

• A 37.5-hour work week (with occasional overtime required)
• Paid time off (sick and vacation) plus paid holidays
• Overtime and compensatory time
• Affordable health insurance with optional Health Reimbursement Account
• Life insurance
• Retirement
• Wellness incentives program
• Training and career development opportunities; paid continuing education
• Optional Deferred Compensation program (401K)
• Employee discounts on electronics; health and wellness; retail; travel, events and entertainment; and services and education

Pay and schedule

• Pay Grade 12
• Salary $3,550.40 Monthly
• Full time
• Eligible for overtime pay
• 37.5 HR/WK

Work is typically performed in an office setting. Occasional travel will be required to perform inspections of business records and establishments. This job has an initial and promotional probationary period of 6 months, except as provided in KRS 18A.111.