Investigator

State of Vermont; Montpelier (VT); On-site; USD 41,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Vermont’s Office of the Defender General seeks an investigator to examine conditions of confinement for incarcerated individuals. You will work with prisoners, Attorneys, and DOC staff to resolve concerns, and provide investigative support for litigation when needed.

Responsibilities include remote and in-person meetings, facility visits, record reviews, and preparation for parole hearings and related litigation. Travel statewide is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Four years of professional investigation experience or equivalent.
• Knowledge of Vermont's criminal justice system is ideal.
• Willing to travel statewide for field work.

Responsibilities

• Meeting with incarcerated individuals to address concerns, remotely or in person.
• Assist with parole violation hearings and litigation preparation regarding conditions of confinement.
• Visit facilities to monitor and document conditions of confinement.
• Review disciplinary, medical, and other records to understand concerns and prepare for litigation.

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Application Deadline: October 30, 2026

Overview

Complex investigation into the conditions of confinement for incarcerated individuals in Vermont for the Office of the Defender General

Description

Provides investigation into conditions of incarceration. Works with incarcerated individuals, Prisoners' Rights attorneys, and staff for the Department of Corrections (DOC) to resolve concerns when possible. Provides investigative support to attorneys when resolution of concerns is not possible and litigation is necessary. Duties are performed with a high degree of independence, but require excellent teamwork with attorneys, staff, and other investigators. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Managing Attorney and staff attorneys, as individual cases may require. Prisoners' Rights is a rewarding but demanding line of work that requires navigating the complicated needs of incarcerated individuals while also developing rapport with DOC staff to help achieve the best result possible for clients. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Meeting with incarcerated individuals remotely and in person to address concerns.
• Helping incarcerated individuals to grieve concerns to provide a foundation for litigation.
• Visiting facilities to monitor and document the conditions of confinement.
• Developing relationships with DOC staff to facilitate resolution of concerns when possible.
• Reviewing disciplinary, medical, and other records to understand concerns raised by incarcerated individuals in order to address those concerns and/or prepare for litigation.
• Assisting with preparation of parole violation hearings and all forms of litigation regarding conditions of confinement (topics ranging from classification decisions, to actions for medical care, to challenges to disciplinary sanctions).
• Becoming familiar and knowledgeable with DOC policies to help advise incarcerated individuals on how to address concerns they may have.

Compensation

Minimum: $29.73 Maximum: $46.49

The salary range reflects the minimum rate and maximum salary potential in the assigned pay grade.

Minimum Requirements

Education: Bachelor's degree. Experience: Four years of professional investigation work, or experience as required by the Defender General. Additional work experience may be substituted for the bachelor's degree on a six month per semester basis. Knowledge of Vermont's criminal justice system is ideal. Work location may be flexible because this is a position that requires field work, but an applicant must be willing to travel to facilities throughout the state on a regular basis.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The State of Vermont celebrates diversity, and is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect and meaningful inclusion that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The State does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, membership in an employee organization, family medical history or genetic information, or family or parental status. The State's employment decisions are merit-based. Retaliatory adverse employment actions by the State are forbidden.