Worker Classification Investigator

Summary

Introduction

The Unemployment Insurance Division is currently hiring a Worker Classification Investigator. Use your experience in white-collar or financial crime investigations to investigate cases of suspected worker misclassification and fraud.

Note: If you are bilingual in Spanish and English, please check out our other Worker Classification Investigator - Bilingual (Spanish) vacancy posted under Job ID 22271.

Employers are required to report whether a person on their payroll is an independent contractor or an employee. Employees are entitled to certain protections and benefits by law, such as the minimum wage, overtime compensation, family and medical leave, unemployment insurance, etc. Employers do not have to provide these to independent contractors. If an employer misclassifies an employee as an independent contractor, that harms the employee as well as the State government.

The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) offers interesting and meaningful work with an employee-friendly and inclusive work environment, work-life balance, a casual office environment, flexibility, and many opportunities to grow your skills. Apply now to find out why there's so much to love about working for Wisconsin .

This position may be headquartered in either Madison or Menomonee Falls. The person hired into this position may request to work remotely for the majority of their work schedule but will need to occasionally report in person to their headquarter location ,office, sometimes on short notice. Employees with approved remote and hybrid-remote work arrangements are generally expected to work within the state of Wisconsin. Remote work options are subject to change.

This recruitment may be used to fill future similar vacancies (permanent, project or Limited Term).

Position Summary

This position conducts complex worker misclassification and criminal fraud investigations for the Unemployment Insurance Division. This position locates and interviews witnesses, serves subpoenas, and works with Field Auditors to ensure employees and independent contractors are classified accurately by their employer. For more information on how Worker Misclassification hurts workers, employers and the economy, see the Federal Dept. of Labor website .

For more information about this position, please see the position description .

Salary Information

Starting pay is between $38.00 and $40.00 per hour, depending on qualifications, plus an exemplary benefits package :

• Generous paid time off , including at least 3 1/2 weeks of vacation/personal time, nine paid holidays, and ample sick time that rolls over each year with no cap.
• Excellent and affordable health insurance options (2026 rates start at $45/month for single and $111/month for family coverage).
• Other great insurance options (dental, vision, life, and more).
• A top-notch retirement program and optional tax advantaged 457 retirement savings plan.
• A Well Wisconsin program, offering wellness tools and rewards to employees and spouses.
• A free and confidential employee assistance program that offers employees and their household members tools, resources, and professional consultation services.

Use this Total Rewards Calculator to see an estimate of the total value of our competitive benefits package!

The classification title for this position is Regulatory Specialist - Senior (schedule 07, range 03). A 12-month probationary period will be required. This position is not represented in a collective bargaining unit and is considered exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Pay will be set in accordance with the State Compensation Plan in effect at the time of appointment. Starting pay may vary for current state employees.

Job Details

Travel: Frequent in-state travel, including some overnight travel, is required.

Remote work: Employees with approved remote and hybrid-remote work arrangements are generally expected to work within the state of Wisconsin. High-speed internet access is required to meet the needs of remote work. Remote work options are subject to change.

Criminal histories: W e also consider all qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Finalists for this position may be required to allow DWD to conduct a background check or other checks to determine whether the circumstances of any conviction may be related to the job being filled. For positions with access to sensitive federal tax information, FBI fingerprinting may also be required.

Eligibility to work in United States: Applicants must be legally entitled to work in the United States (i.e. a US citizen or national or a lawful permanent resident) at the time of appointment. DWD does not sponsor visas and is not an eligible OPT employer for those with F1 visas. This is not a contract position. Any appointment made will be contingent on the applicant completing the I-9 upon hire.

Qualifications

Qualifications marked with an asterisk (*) below will be evaluated in the first step of the selection process. Additional qualifications may be evaluated in subsequent steps.

You need to have the following experience:

• *Experience conducting investigations of financial crimes
• *Experience interviewing and interrogating people as part of a criminal investigation
• Experience developing and presenting training
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills

Any of the following experience would be nice to have:

• *Experience investigating high level/complex financial crimes or worker misclassification
• Experience working alone in the field during criminal investigations

How To Apply

Note: If you are viewing this posting on an external site, please visit Wisc.Jobs (search Job ID 22270) to complete your application.

To apply, click "Apply for Job" to start the application process. That will prompt you to access your existing account or create a new account. You will be asked to attach a resume and a letter of qualifications as part of the application process. It is important that these materials clearly illustrate how your qualifications relate to the qualifications of this job. Please review this additional guidance on developing your resume and letter of qualifications (including a template) as you prepare to apply.

Please see the Frequently Asked Questions for general Wisc.Jobs user information and technical assistance.

• Technical issues: if you encounter issues submitting your on-line application (e.g. signing in or uploading a resume), please email the Wisc.Jobs Help Desk at wiscjobs@wisconsin.gov or call (608) 267-1012 (Monday - Friday, 7:45am - 4:30pm).
• Position questions: if you have questions about the position or this recruitment (e.g. projected start date, skills needed, etc.), please email Terra at TLKJobs@dwd.wisconsin.gov .

Please note that once you submit your application, you will not be able to update your materials.

What happens next? A panel will review your application materials to determine your eligibility for further consideration in the selection process. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process, which is typically a virtual interview.

DWD values a diverse workforce and is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer . Veterans, women, people of color, LGBTQIA+, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities.

The State of Wisconsin offers a special program for qualified veterans with a 30% or greater service-connected disability. If you are a qualified veteran, please visit the Veterans Employment page for application instructions to be considered for the Veterans Non-Competitive Appointment program.

Deadline to Apply

Application materials must be submitted by 11:59 PM (central standard time) on Monday, October 12, 2026.

Job Description

Introduction

The Unemployment Insurance Division is currently hiring a Worker Classification Investigator. Use your experience in white-collar or financial crime investigations to investigate cases of suspected worker misclassification and fraud.

Note: If you are bilingual in Spanish and English, please check out our other Worker Classification Investigator - Bilingual (Spanish) vacancy posted under Job ID 22271.

Employers are required to report whether a person on their payroll is an independent contractor or an employee. Employees are entitled to certain protections and benefits by law, such as the minimum wage, overtime compensation, family and medical leave, unemployment insurance, etc. Employers do not have to provide these to independent contractors. If an employer misclassifies an employee as an independent contractor, that harms the employee as well as the State government.

The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) offers interesting and meaningful work with an employee-friendly and inclusive work environment, work-life balance, a casual office environment, flexibility, and many opportunities to grow your skills. Apply now to find out why there's so much to love about working for Wisconsin .

This position may be headquartered in either Madison or Menomonee Falls. The person hired into this position may request to work remotely for the majority of their work schedule but will need to occasionally report in person to their headquarter location ,office, sometimes on short notice. Employees with approved remote and hybrid-remote work arrangements are generally expected to work within the state of Wisconsin. Remote work options are subject to change.

This recruitment may be used to fill future similar vacancies (permanent, project or Limited Term).

Position Summary

This position conducts complex worker misclassification and criminal fraud investigations for the Unemployment Insurance Division. This position locates and interviews witnesses, serves subpoenas, and works with Field Auditors to ensure employees and independent contractors are classified accurately by their employer. For more information on how Worker Misclassification hurts workers, employers and the economy, see the Federal Dept. of Labor website .

For more information about this position, please see the position description .

Salary Information

Starting pay is between $38.00 and $40.00 per hour, depending on qualifications, plus an exemplary benefits package :

• Generous paid time off , including at least 3 1/2 weeks of vacation/personal time, nine paid holidays, and ample sick time that rolls over each year with no cap.
• Excellent and affordable health insurance options (2026 rates start at $45/month for single and $111/month for family coverage).
• Other great insurance options (dental, vision, life, and more).
• A top-notch retirement program and optional tax advantaged 457 retirement savings plan.
• A Well Wisconsin program, offering wellness tools and rewards to employees and spouses.
• A free and confidential employee assistance program that offers employees and their household members tools, resources, and professional consultation services.

Use this Total Rewards Calculator to see an estimate of the total value of our competitive benefits package!

The classification title for this position is Regulatory Specialist - Senior (schedule 07, range 03). A 12-month probationary period will be required. This position is not represented in a collective bargaining unit and is considered exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Pay will be set in accordance with the State Compensation Plan in effect at the time of appointment. Starting pay may vary for current state employees.

Job Details

Travel: Frequent in-state travel, including some overnight travel, is required.

Remote work: Employees with approved remote and hybrid-remote work arrangements are generally expected to work within the state of Wisconsin. High-speed internet access is required to meet the needs of remote work. Remote work options are subject to change.

Criminal histories: W e also consider all qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Finalists for this position may be required to allow DWD to conduct a background check or other checks to determine whether the circumstances of any conviction may be related to the job being filled. For positions with access to sensitive federal tax information, FBI fingerprinting may also be required.

Eligibility to work in United States: Applicants must be legally entitled to work in the United States (i.e. a US citizen or national or a lawful permanent resident) at the time of appointment. DWD does not sponsor visas and is not an eligible OPT employer for those with F1 visas. This is not a contract position. Any appointment made will be contingent on the applicant completing the I-9 upon hire.

Qualifications

Qualifications marked with an asterisk (*) below will be evaluated in the first step of the selection process. Additional qualifications may be evaluated in subsequent steps.

You need to have the following experience:

• *Experience conducting investigations of financial crimes
• *Experience interviewing and interrogating people as part of a criminal investigation
• Experience developing and presenting training
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills

Any of the following experience would be nice to have:

• *Experience investigating high level/complex financial crimes or worker misclassification
• Experience working alone in the field during criminal investigations

How To Apply

Note: If you are viewing this posting on an external site, please visit Wisc.Jobs (search Job ID 22270) to complete your application.

To apply, click "Apply for Job" to start the application process. That will prompt you to access your existing account or create a new account. You will be asked to attach a resume and a letter of qualifications as part of the application process. It is important that these materials clearly illustrate how your qualifications relate to the qualifications of this job. Please review this additional guidance on developing your resume and letter of qualifications (including a template) as you prepare to apply.

Please see the Frequently Asked Questions for general Wisc.Jobs user information and technical assistance.

• Technical issues: if you encounter issues submitting your on-line application (e.g. signing in or uploading a resume), please email the Wisc.Jobs Help Desk at wiscjobs@wisconsin.gov or call (608) 267-1012 (Monday - Friday, 7:45am - 4:30pm).
• Position questions: if you have questions about the position or this recruitment (e.g. projected start date, skills needed, etc.), please email Terra at TLKJobs@dwd.wisconsin.gov .

Please note that once you submit your application, you will not be able to update your materials.

What happens next? A panel will review your application materials to determine your eligibility for further consideration in the selection process. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process, which is typically a virtual interview.

DWD values a diverse workforce and is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer . Veterans, women, people of color, LGBTQIA+, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities.

The State of Wisconsin offers a special program for qualified veterans with a 30% or greater service-connected disability. If you are a qualified veteran, please visit the Veterans Employment page for application instructions to be considered for the Veterans Non-Competitive Appointment program.

Deadline to Apply

Application materials must be submitted by 11:59 PM (central standard time) on Monday, October 12, 2026.