County Detective - District Attorney's Office

Lccpa; Allentown (Lehigh County); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Lehigh County District Attorney's Office seeks an investigator for full-performance level investigations supporting criminal prosecutions. Responsibilities include locating individuals, taking statements, gathering evidence, and conducting background checks.

Position reports to a higher-level investigations role. Typical duties involve reviewing cases, coordinating with law enforcement, serving court orders, and preparing comprehensive investigation reports for use in court.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of criminal investigation goals and objectives.
• Interviewing individuals who may be resistant/hostile.
• Understanding rules of procedure and evidence.
• Knowledge of applicable laws and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Identify and document information to build prosecutable cases.
• Interview witnesses and collect statements.
• Manage evidence and prepare investigative reports.
• Testify to findings in judicial proceedings.

Skills

Criminal investigation

Interview techniques

Judicial proceedings knowledge

Legal research

Education

Post-secondary study in criminal justice

Tools

Handguns handling

Job description

Summary:

• This is investigations' work at the full performance level for the County's District Attorney's office. A position in this class conducts investigations for use in prosecuting criminal cases. Work includes locating individuals, taking statements and evidence, and conducting background checks. A position in this class is differentiated from those in closely related ones by the criminal nature of the cases assigned and the administrative investigation responsibility for other County and/or Court functions. A position in this class reports directly to a higher-level investigations position.

Typical Examples of Work:

• Receives and reviews cases to identify and document information, determine action needed and develops cases for use in prosecuting criminal charges; compiles existing information noting real or potential sources for further information; assembles evidence of any nature to determine the facts known and needed in a case; does legal research as required for investigations; serves court orders, subpoena and/or warrants; may investigate applications for parole or clemency and parole reviews; prepares reports of investigations.
• Works with law-enforcement agencies in criminal investigations; visits crime scene; takes photographic and other technical evidence; insures control of evidence trail; identifies and locates witnesses; interviews and takes statements from witnesses; follows up on leads established in such interviews, regardless of the location, time of day or specific circumstances involved; documents all such information received; may take part in pre-trial and other conferences between the prosecution and the defense offices, regarding sentencing, plea bargaining, witnesses for the parties and evidence to be presented; testifies to general activities and/or specific findings.
• Conducts background checks of employees in sensitive County or Court positions; makes reports of findings; maintains wire-tap equipment; installs such equipment upon court order; follows up on results; investigates applicants for and complaints about licenses for Bingo and other operations; carries out extradition orders and detainers; carries out law-enforcement functions for internal County facilities; apprehends subjects on contempt charges; commits such subjects to County prison; executes court-ordered writs, rules and attachments.
• Performs related work as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of criminal investigation goals and objectives, principles and practices.
• Thorough knowledge of methods and techniques commonly employed in interviewing individuals who may be resistant and/or hostile to providing information.
• Thorough knowledge of principles and practices of judicial proceedings, including rules of procedure and evidence as they affect investigatory activities.
• Knowledge of applicable laws, precedents and regulations.
• Skill in the identification and follow up of new or additional sources of information required in developing comprehensive cases for use by the defense or the prosecution.
• Skill in the use and maintenance of handguns, when required by work assignment.
• Ability to learn and comply with statutory, regulatory and judicial requirements and restrictions governing activities.
• Ability to apprehend and detain individuals.
• Ability to establish and maintain records of activities and to prepare reports from same.
• Ability to testify in judicial proceedings to activities and findings.

Acceptable Training & Experience:

• Education equivalent to completion of two years of full-time study at the post high-school level in criminal justice, law enforcement or a closely related field.
• Two to four years investigations experience in a law-enforcement, criminal justice or related organization.
• Or any equivalent combination of acceptable training and experience which has provided the knowledge, skills and abilities cited above.

Additional Requirements:

• Possession of Certification issued by the Municipal Police Officer Training Commission.

A criminal background check may be required.