Chief Public Defender Investigator

Sjgov; Stockton (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Job summary

The San Joaquin County Public Defender's Office in Stockton, CA is seeking a promoted-level Investigator to lead the Investigative Division. The role requires meeting promotional eligibility under Civil Service Rule 10, with Pattern I or II qualifications, including two years as a Public Defender Investigator II or a Bachelor's degree plus three years investigative experience in related fields.

The incumbent plans, coordinates and supervises investigations, liaises with law enforcement agencies,

Qualifications

• Two patterns for qualification: Pattern I requires 2 years as Public Defender Investigator II in San Joaquin County.
• Pattern II requires Bachelor's degree plus 3 years investigative experience in related fields and substitution options.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize and direct the investigative work of staff.
• Coordinate with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.
• Supervise training and staff development; select personnel and manage promotions.
• Review investigative reports and advise attorneys on case strategy; testify when required.

Skills

Investigative skills

Oral and written communication

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's Degree in administration of justice or related field

Job description

PLEASE NOTE: This is a departmental promotion. Qualified applicants must currently be employed with the San Joaquin County Public Defender’s office and meet the promotional eligibility requirements as stated in Civil Service Rule 10, Section 3-Eligiblity for Promotional Examinations.

PATTERN I

Experience : Two years of experience as a Public
Defender Investigator II in San Joaquin County service.

OR PATTERN II

Education : Possession of a Bachelor's Degree from an
accredited college or university in administration of
justice and/or related field.

Experience : Three years of investigative experience with complex and/or sensitive cases. Qualifying investigative experience includes investigation in a police or sheriff’s department, public defender’s office, di strict attorney’s office, probation
department, or welfare fraud unit.

Substitution : Additional complex and/or sensitive
criminal investigation experience may be substituted
for the required education on a year-for-year basis for
a maximum of two years where one year of education
is equivalent to 30 semester (or equivalent quarter)
units

AND FOR BOTH PATTERNS

License : Possession of a valid California driver’s license.

The County offers an excellent benefits plan which
includes a county contribution to health insurance,
dental and vision insurance plans.

For additional information please visit:

The San Joaquin County Public Defender was established as a County Department in 1968.

The Public Defender's primary practice areas are:

Adult Criminal Defense

Child Dependency (focus on parents)

Mental Commitment Defense

Public Defender clients are screened by court staff for indigency. County funded legal services are provided only on mandated cases to those who lack the present means to hire private attorneys.

Lawyer Referral Service has a contract to handle cases because of conflict of interest (i.e., two individuals are arrested and charged with the same crime) and where understaffing causes Public Defender unavailability.

Why San Joaquin Public Defender’s Office?

Have Recruitment Questions?

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The Chief Public Defender Investigator, under general direction, performs responsible managerial and administrative work in managing the Investigative Division of the Public Defender's Office. The incumbent plans, coordinates and supervises the investigative functions of the Public Defender's Office. Direction is received from the Public Defender and Assistant Public Defender.

Plans, organizes and directs the investigative activities of the Public Defender's Office through subordinate investigators.

Selects employees and recommends promotions,
transfers, disciplinary actions and merit increases.

Supervises the training of investigative staff.

Confers and consults with the Public Defender in
the formulation of investigative plans, policies and
procedures; disseminates policy to staff.

Reviews and evaluates reports on cases
investigated; ensures that reports are completed;
advises the Public Defender as to course of action
to be taken; assists attorneys in court and in the
presentation of evidence; testifies in court as
required.

Coordinates the investigative activities of the Public Defender's Office with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies; establishes liaison with other public agencies.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This recruitment is being conducted to fill (1) full-time vacancy in the San Joaquin County Public Defender's Office.

KNOWLEDGE

Investigation techniques and procedures; rules of evidence, legal basis for complaints, and court procedures; applicable state, federal and local codes, laws and ordinances, including State Narcotic laws, Penal Code, Health and Safety Code, Probate Code and Welfare and Institutions Code; principles and practices of supervision and training; management principles and techniques.

ABILITY

Plan, organize and direct the work of subordinates; train and supervise subordinates; maintain records; prepare, review and evaluate reports; express oneself clearly, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with law enforcement officials, witnesses and the public; interact and communicate well with persons of diverse ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, and with persons from all sectors of the criminal justice system; gather and evaluate facts and evidence; draw logical conclusions and take appropriate action; secure necessary information through interview and interrogation; act as witness in legal proceedings; carry out special and general assignments independently.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Mobility - operate a keyboard; sit for long periods; does frequent walking, bending, squatting, crawling, climbing stairs, ladders, and driving; Lifting -able to lift 30-70 lbs.; Visual - Good overall vision; frequent reading and close-up work, hand and eye coordination, color/depth perception; Dexterity - reaching, repetitive motion, and writing; Hearing/Talking - hear on the telephone/radio; hear faint sounds; talk in person and telephone; Emotional/Psychological Factors - exposure to trauma, grief, death; public contact; decision making; concentration; working alone; working weekends and/or evenings which may include long hours at odd times of the day or night. San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

San Joaquin County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer and is committed to providing equal employment to all without regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation or belief, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. For more information go to www.sjgov.org/department/hr/eeo .

Accommodations for those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):

San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

BENEFITS

Selection Procedures

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will go through the following examination process:

• Written Exam : The civil service written exam is a multiple choice format. If the written exam is administered alone, it will 100% of the overall score. Candidates must achieve a minimum rating of 70% in order to be placed on the eligible list.