Initial Posting Date:

10/03/2025

Application Deadline:

10/23/2025

Agency:

Oregon Youth Authority

Salary Range:

$7,353 - $11,373

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Chief Investigator

Job Description:

OREGON YOUTH AUTHORITY

Investigations Manager 2 - Chief Investigator

Salem, Oregon - CENTRAL OFFICE EQUITABLE BUILDING

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.

Desired Attributes

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 pleas