Public Defender Investigator - Lancaster Trial Office

Introduction

Are you seeking a rewarding and challenging career? Bring your investigator skills to the Office of the State Public Defender (SPD) and make a difference in the lives of Wisconsin residents. The SPD is currently recruiting to fill one full-time Public Defender Investigator (PDI) to work in our Lancaster Trial office.

SPD's mission is to enhance the quality of justice throughout Wisconsin by providing high-quality, cost-effective representation to indigent clients, protecting the rights of accused individuals, and by serving as advocates for effective defense services and a rational criminal justice system. At SPD, we are committed to diversity in hiring, retention, and career development. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status. To learn more, visit our website at http://wispd.gov.

What We Offer: This is an excellent opportunity to develop a meaningful and rewarding career with the SPD. Our employees have access to an excellent comprehensive benefit and compensation package, including access to the region's best health plans, and generous paid time off starting with 3.5 weeks of vacation, 9 paid holidays, and ample sick leave so that you can truly have work/life balance! SPD employees also enjoy participation is one of the nation's top-rated pension plans. Additionally, if you have student loans, you may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. To learn more about the value of SPD's total compensation package, please visit our Total Rewards Calculator.

Why Work With Us? At SPD, we pride ourselves on fostering an inclusive, human-centered and family-friendly culture, where everyone is encouraged to bring their "whole self" to work. Professional development is encouraged and supported, and we offer a wide variety of training opportunities to help you grow in your career. Our leadership's goal is to provide a work environment dedicated to ensuring that each and every staff member is treated with respect and dignity, recognizing each individual's contributions to the team.

Who We Are: SPD provides legal representation for persons who are accused of crimes or are defendants in certain specified civil matters, and who meet statutory financial eligibility criteria. The mission of the SPD is to zealously represent clients, protect constitutional rights, and advocate for an effective and fair criminal justice system. Our commitment is to treat our clients with dignity and compassion, as they are at the center of everything we do.

Where We Are: Our Lancaster Trial Office is located at 207 W Maple St, Ste A, Lancaster, WI 53813.

Position Summary

The PDI works with attorneys, clients and witnesses to gather and provide facts to help build the defense's case. The PDI also visits crime scenes, analyzes evidence, prepares reports and testifies in court. Work in the field, including interviewing clients in their homes, is an essential part of this position, and frequent statewide travel is required.

Salary Information

The starting salary for the PDI will be between $22.95 and $28.00/hour and is in pay schedule-range (07-04) and the starting salary for the PDI-Senior will be between $26.87 and $34.84/hour and is in pay schedule-range (07-03). Salary will depend on experience and qualifications and will be based on rules that apply in the current compensation plan.

Permanent classified state employees who are eligible for consideration (transfer, voluntary demotion, or reinstatement) for a position assigned to the stated pay range or counter-part pay range, should complete the application process as described above by the stated deadline.

Final selected candidates may be eligible for moving expense reimbursement to relocate to the place of employment.

Job Details

Eligibility to work in the US: The SPD does not sponsor work visas at the time of hire or anytime during employment. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required Employment Eligibility Form I-9.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The State of Wisconsin is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants from all backgrounds. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

Veterans: 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.

Qualifications

Letter of Qualifications & Resume: You must submit both documents in order to be considered. It is important that you clearly explain and elaborate on your experience and/or training in your letter of qualifications and/or resume.

Minimally qualified applicants will have education and/or training in the following:

1. Background in the criminal justice system or the equivalent
2. Knowledge and ability to use computer programs to write reports (e.g. Microsoft Office or Google products)
3. Effective oral and written communication skills for use in interviewing

In addition, well-qualified applicants will have experience in the following:

1. Knowledge of the criminal juvenile and mental health justice systems
2. Ability to work effectively with diverse groups of people
3. Experience or training in providing court testimony

How To Apply

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 cover letter as part of the application process. It is important that these materials clearly illustrate how your qualifications relate to the qualifications of this job.

If you encounter issues submitting your online application (e.g. signing in or uploading a resume), please contact the Wisc.Jobs Help Desk at (608) 267-1012 or wiscjobs@wisconsin.gov (Monday - Friday, 7:45am - 4:30pm).

Your letter of qualifications and resume are very important parts of your application and are used during our evaluation process to determine your qualifications as they relate to the job. If both of these documents are not submitted, you will not be eligible for consideration. Application materials will not be accepted if received in an email, as a hard copy or a fax.

Materials submitted by all applicants will be evaluated by one or more job experts. Candidates that are deemed eligible will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.

Deadline to Apply

If you have any questions on this recruitment or how to apply; please contact Maggie Wild at wildm@opd.wi.gov.

The deadline to apply is 11:59pm on Monday, April 21, 2025.