Working Title: Labor Investigator Senior
Job Class: Investigation Specialist 2 / Spanish Bilingual Skills Required
Agency: Labor & Industry Dept
Job ID : 95830
Location : Various
Telework Eligible : Yes
Full/Part Time : Full-Time
Regular/Temporary : Unlimited
Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers
Date Posted : 07/29/2026
Closing Date : 08/17/2026
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Labor & Industry Dept / Labor and Industry-MAPE
Division/Unit : Dept of Labor & Industry / Labor Standards
Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift - 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Days of Work : Monday - Friday
Travel Required : Yes - Up to 20% of the time
Salary Range: $31.81 - $46.96 / hourly; $66,419 - $98,052 / annually
Classified Status : Classified
Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
FLSA Status : Nonexempt
Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes
The work you'll do is more than just a job.
At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.
This job posting will be used to fill four (4) Investigation Specialist 2/Labor Investigator Senior positions with emphasis on employment protections related to misclassification of employees, Minnesota's Child Labor Standards Act, or Minnesota's Earned Sick and Safe Time law.
This position offers a conditional hybrid work schedule which includes telework days and in-office days at the St. Paul, Mankato, or St. Cloud Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) office buildings.
Telework options for this position are dependent on where the employee lives. The primary work location for this position is St. Paul, Mankato, or St. Cloud.
Employees living within 50 miles of the primary work location will be required to work in the office at least 50% of the time each month.
Employees that live in Minnesota and are more than 50 miles from the primary work location may be eligible for more than 50% telework with agency approvals.
Employees may reside outside of the state of Minnesota if they live in a bordering state and are within 50 miles of the primary work location.
The Labor Standards Division of DLI plays a critical role in achieving compliance with labor and employment laws that are applicable to Minnesota's workforce. This position offers an exciting opportunity to work in the Labor Standards Division to help prevent violations as well as pursue enforcement activity related to the Minnesota Fair Labor Standards Act, the Minnesota Payment of Wages Act, employment protections under Minnesota's Paid Leave law, the Minnesota Child Labor Standards Act, the Women's Economic Security Act, Minnesota's Earned Sick and Safe Time law, misclassification, various anti-retaliation provisions, and other state labor and employment laws and rules.
Responsibilities include:
Investigate violations and administer and enforce the provisions of the state's labor standards laws, including: the Minnesota Fair Labor Standards Act and Prevailing Wages Act (M.S. Chapter 177), the Minnesota Payment of Wages Act (M.S. §§ 181.01-181.1721), the Women's Economic Security Act (M.S. §§ 181.172 and 181.939-181.944), the Earned Sick and Safe Time law (M.S. §§ 181.9445 - 181.9448), the Minnesota Child Labor Standards Act (M.S. Chapter 181A), Misclassification of Employees (M.S. §§ 181.722-181.723), employment protections under Minnesota's Paid Leave law (M.S. §§ 268B.09 and 268B.14), various laws that impact specific industries or workforces, including agriculture, food processing, and nursing homes, the associated Administrative Rules issued by DLI (Minn. R. 5200) and federal and municipal laws establishing more protective pay rates than those established under state law.
This position will focus on conducting complex civil investigations of violations of the laws under the Labor Standards Division's jurisdiction.
This position will also conduct mediations of disputes; respond to formal and informal complaints of possible violations of labor standards laws; conduct on-site inspections; perform reviews of employment records and workplace policies; prepare and issue written determinations of findings of fact that explain the results of investigations, including calculation of back wages and other redress for damages caused by violations of law; and determine the proper method to achieve future compliance.
This position obtains testimony and physical evidence to support effective enforcement actions by the Labor Standards Division and prepares cases for contested case proceedings.
Provide educational and informational services to employers, employees, and other stakeholders in Minnesota through professional verbal and written communications that are culturally appropriate, equitable and inclusive. Guidance related to the above-listed laws is provided in order to educate workers on their rights and gain compliance from employers.
Participate in the development and implementation of DLI's strategic compliance plans, with primary responsibility for the development and implementation of enforcement interventions. With limited guidance, this position shall initiate and conduct comprehensive investigations of employers in response to requests for assistance or as a part of strategic compliance plans.¿
Perform other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Bilingual Qualifications Required: Fluency (written, spoken, and reading comprehension) in Spanish.
Two (2) years of experience* that demonstrates the following:
*Experience includes internships, fellowships, volunteering, and work experience that are directly related to the job duties.
**Doctorate degree may substitute for two years of experience; Master's degree may substitute for 18 months of experience; Bachelor's degree may substitute for one year of experience; Associates degree may substitute for six months of experience.
Experience with interviewing, fact gathering, or other evidence gathering, which may include applying this evidence to laws, regulations, policy, or procedures.
Written and verbal communication skills sufficient to produce reports, memos, findings of fact, or other written work product; to preserve evidence and statements collected during investigations; and to respond to inquiries from and otherwise communicate with stakeholders.
Ability to communicate effectively with individuals with a wide range of backgrounds, who may not share your same culture, ethnicity, language, or other common experiences.
Preferred Qualifications
Knowledge of State employment and labor laws, including the Minnesota Fair Labor Standards Act, Minnesota's Prevailing Wage law, the Minnesota Payment of Wages Act, the Minnesota Child Labor Standards Act, the Women's Economic Security Act, Minnesota's Earned Sick and Safe Time law, Minnesota's Paid Leave law, misclassification laws, or other state employment and labor laws for which DLI is responsible or knowledge of comparable laws.
Language skills other than English and Spanish (Somali, Hmong, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Karen or ASL).
Knowledge of the role and responsibilities of executive branch agencies and public enforcement authorities.Knowledge of public information dissemination practices and laws and regulations related to government data practices.
Experience working in low- or lower- wage industries or working for organizations or other entities that serve those working in those industries.
Knowledge of Excel.
Additional Requirements
It is the policy that all final candidates submit to a background investigation prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components: SEMA4 Records Check, Employment Reference Check, Driver's License Check, Education/License Verification.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.
Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.
