OSHA Whistleblower Investigator

OSHA Whistleblower Investigator

Salary

$53,851.20 - $81,806.40 Annually

Location

Des Moines - 50321 - Polk County, IA

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

27-01321

Agency

427 Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing

Opening Date

11/05/2026

Closing Date

11/19/2026 11:59 PM Central

LinkedIn Tag

#LI-POST

Point of Contact

Adam Lathrop; adam.lathrop@dia.iowa.gov

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Description

Are you an experienced investigator seeking a career that combines professional achievement with a sense of purpose? The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) is seeking a highly motivated, skilled, solution-oriented, and enthusiastic professional to join our regulatory department and serve as a IOSHA Whistleblower Investigator. If you are passionate about making a positive impact, can work autonomously, and are eager to contribute to a safer and healthier Iowa, and value work-life balance, this opportunity is for you!

Who We Are

At DIAL, our mission is to Achieve Compliance Through Education, Regulation, and Due Process for a Safe and Healthy Iowa. We strive to be an effective, efficient, and approachable regulatory agency. DIAL is comprised of eight core operational divisions, including Administrative Hearings, Health & Safety, Licensing, and more. We're not just a regulatory agency, we're a team dedicated to protecting the health, safety, and overall well-being of Iowans.

Position Overview

As a IOSHA Whistleblower Investigator, you will work under the supervision of the IOSHA Division Administrator at our central office near Valley Junction in Des Moines, Iowa. You will work together with our Federal OSHA partners, and IOSHA Bureaus to evaluate, investigate, report findings and make recommendations of further action regarding complaints of discriminatory actions against an employee who has exercised their rights under the IOSH Act.

What We're Seeking

We're looking for a motivated and organized professional who is experienced with conducting investigations. Successful candidates will possess the following skills and abilities:

• Possesses a high level of organization skills and is process-driven
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously
• Works collaboratively with a diverse group of talented professionals
• Communicates effectively across multiple stakeholder levels
• Displays high standards of professional conduct
• Detail-oriented and is highly responsive to colleagues and stakeholders

Responsibilities

You will be an integral member of our team, providing leadership and guidance to the department in support of the agency's operations by:

• Screen calls/complaints to determine if a complaint falls under the jurisdictional authority of IOSHA and makes referrals for those that do not;
• Gather facts/evidence though fact-finding interviews and requests/subpoenas of records and conducts a thorough analysis of all evidence gathered through the investigative process;
• Work with IOSHA inspectors and legal staff to gather information;
• Report findings through a comprehensive written report to support the disposition of a complaint;
• Enter information in to the OSHA Information System used for case file formation and management;
• Negotiate settlement agreements between parties for cases supported by merit findings;
• Assist attorneys in gathering and organizing evidence and testifying in depositions and/or trials;
• Conduct IOSHA Whistleblower Training for IOSHA personnel and outside organizations.

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees' rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in law enforcement, corrections, criminology, police science, accounting, finance, or law, and experience equal to one year of full-time work as an investigator requiring knowledge in law enforcement, corrections, or criminal investigation.
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in law enforcement, corrections, criminology, police science, accounting, finance, or law, and experience equal to one year of full-time work in the administration of a program involving application of agency unemployment insurance or public assistance benefit programs, correctional rules and regulations, and/or court or administrative hearings processes.
• A total of five years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in number one or two), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in law enforcement, corrections, criminology, police science, accounting, finance, or law equals one year of full-time experience.
• Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes twelve months of full-time work as an Investigator 1 or twenty-four months of full-time work as a Warehouse and Grain Dealer Examiner.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.

Additional Qualification Requirements

Some positions in this class may require an applicant to have the ability to pass a background investigation.

Why Choose the State of Iowa?

At the heart of our commitment to excellence is a dedication to our most valuable asset - our employees. Discover the outstanding benefits that set us apart as an employer of choice.

Our Robust Benefits Package Includes:

Competitive Compensation:

Enjoy a competitive salary that reflects directly on your skills and expertise.

Keep in mind, your wage is just one part of your total compensation. Unlock the complete value of your employment with the State of Iowa by using our user-friendly Total Compensation Calculator. Gain insights into your comprehensive annual compensation, including salary and State-provided benefits.

Health and Wellness:

Prioritize your well-being with our comprehensive health plans, including medical, dental, and vision coverage. Enjoy the peace of mind knowing that the State of Iowa covers 90% of the premiums, providing you and your loved ones with excellent coverage at a remarkably low cost.

Retirement Planning:

We are proud to offer the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS). A defined benefit plan, IPERS benefits are guaranteed for life, meaning once you retire, you will receive the same monthly benefit for the remainder of your life (once vested). We invest in your long-term financial well-being, so you can retire with peace of mind. Click here to learn more about IPERS.

Paid Time Off:

Life is unpredictable, and at the State of Iowa, we understand the importance of work-life balance. Our leave policies, including paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave with unlimited accrual, ensure you have the flexibility you need for personal and family matters.

Professional Development:

Elevate your career with continuous learning opportunities. We support your growth through training programs, workshops, and tuition reimbursement.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP):

We care about your well-being beyond the workplace. Access confidential counseling, resources, and support through our Employee Assistance Program.

Diversity and Inclusion:

Be part of a diverse and inclusive workplace that embraces all backgrounds and perspectives. We believe diversity is a strength that drives innovation.

Join Us - Elevate Your Career:

Ready to elevate your career with the State of Iowa? Click here to explore more about our unparalleled benefits and discover what makes us unique. Your success is our priority!

01

Do you understand that the answers to all of the following questions must be truthful, honest, and accurate to the best of your ability? Please read all questions and answers thoroughly and make sure you understand them completely. Ensure the answers to your questions match the information filled out on your application and the attachments you have uploaded. If the answers to your questions are inconsistent with your application information or uploaded attachments, you will be given zero points for the question. Knowingly misrepresenting the facts when submitting any information related to an application, examination, certification, appeal, or any other facet of the selection process will result in your disqualification from this application and future employment with the state of Iowa.

• Yes - I understand and agree.
• No

02

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

Have you filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq?

• No - I have NOT filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq
• Yes - I HAVE filed a registration statement pursuant to the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended, 22 U.S.C. §611 et seq

03

Have you graduated from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in law enforcement, corrections, criminology, police science, accounting, finance, or law? IF YES - How many months do you have of full-time work experience in the administration of a program involving application of agency unemployment insurance or public assistance benefit programs, correctional rules and regulations, and/or court or administrative hearings processes?

• I have not graduated from an accredited four-year college with a degree in law enforcement, corrections, criminology, police science, accounting, finance, or law
• No experience to less than 12 months of experience in the identified areas
• 12 months or more of experience in the identified areas

04

How many years do you have of a combination of post high school education in law enforcement, corrections, criminology, police science, accounting, finance, or law AND/OR experience as an investigator requiring knowledge in law enforcement, corrections, or criminal investigation OR in the administration of a program involving application of agency unemployment insurance or public assistance benefit programs, correctional rules and regulations, and/or court or administrative hearings processes?

• I do not have any of the education and/or experience
• Less than two years of the combined education and/or experience
• Two years to less than five years of the combined education and/or experience
• Five years or more of the combined education and/or experience

05

Are you a current State of Iowa employee (executive branch)? IF YES - How many months of experience do you have of full-time work in the classification of Investigator 1 ?

• I am not a State of Iowa employee
• Less than 12 months in the classification of Investigator 1
• 12 months or more in the classification of Investigator 1
• No experience in the classification in the classification of Investigator 1

06

Are you a current State of Iowa employee (executive branch)? IF YES - How many years of experience do you have in the classification of Warehouse and Grain Dealer Examiner?

• I am not a State of Iowa employee
• Less than two years of experience in the classification of Warehouse and Grain Dealer Examiner
• Two years or more of experience in the classification of Warehouse and Grain Dealer Examiner
• No experience in the classification of Warehouse and Grain Dealer Examiner

07

Have you graduated from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in law enforcement, corrections, criminology, police science, accounting, finance, or law? IF YES - How many months of full-time work as an investigator requiring knowledge in law enforcement, corrections, or criminal investigation?

• I have not graduated from an accredited four year college or university with a major in the identified areas
• Less than 12 months of experience in the identified areas
• 12 months or more of experience in the identified areas

Required Question

Employer State of Iowa

Agency 427 Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing Address 6200 Park Avenue; Suite 1

Des Moines, Iowa, 50321

Website https://dia.iowa.gov/