Investigator

Minnehaha County, SD; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 44,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

PTO from day one

Sick leave

South Dakota Retirement System

Deferred compensation plan

Paid holidays

Job summary

The Minnehaha County Public Defender's Office invites applications for an Investigator to perform professional investigative work obtaining information about cases in order to assist defense attorneys in the Public Defender’s Office. This position offers a rewarding opportunity to be involved with your community.

Our employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package including paid holidays; health, dental, vision, and life insurance; PTO available from day one; an extended sick leave program;

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, sociology, political science, or related field.
• At least one year of experience as an investigator, in law enforcement or public defense, or as a paralegal.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license or arrange transportation for field travel.
• Working knowledge of South Dakota law and law enforcement policies.
• Knowledge of criminal investigation methods including gathering, preserving, and presenting evidence.
• Knowledge of interviewing methods and techniques.
• Ability to work with witnesses in the criminal justice system.
• Demonstrated cultural mindfulness in communications.
• Ability to follow written and verbal directions.
• Knowledge of and skill in using technology and related software systems.
• Effective verbal and written communication.
• Ability to build positive, collaborative relationships with coworkers, other agencies, and the public.

Responsibilities

• Interview key witnesses and collect information to support defense strategies.
• Examine scenes firsthand and review reports and footage for new details.
• Build timelines that reveal the truth and surface evidentiary material.
• Create compelling visual exhibits to strengthen the defense.
• Help craft strategies with attorneys to ensure accurate, equitable investigations.

Skills

Interviewing techniques

Verbal and written communication

Cultural mindfulness

Driver's license

Team collaboration

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, sociology, political science, or related field

Job description

Investigator

The Minnehaha County Public Defender's Office invites applications for an Investigator to perform professional investigative work obtaining information about cases in order to assist defense attorneys in the Public Defender’s Office.

This position offers a rewarding opportunity to be involved with your community. Our employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package including paid holidays; health, dental, vision, and life insurance; PTO available from day one; an extended sick leave program; inclusion in the South Dakota Retirement System (SDRS); and a deferred compensation plan.

A full job description with additional details is linked below:

The hiring range is $32.16/hour - $35.45/hour with full earning potential up to $47.65/hour.

Step into a role where your work truly changes outcomes. As an investigator, you become the driving force behind a fair and thorough defense, bringing clarity to complex situations and giving every client a voice. You’ll connect with people in challenging moments, earn their trust, and uncover the details that reshape case strategy. Whether interviewing key witnesses, examining scenes firsthand, or catching new details in reports and footage, your insights will directly influence justice.

You’ll build timelines that reveal the truth, create compelling visual exhibits, and surface evidence that strengthens the defense. Your determination to find reluctant witnesses, verify information, and challenge unsupported claims ensures every case is grounded in facts, not assumptions. Working side by side with attorneys, you’ll help craft strategies that are precise, informed, and equitable. In this role, your impact is unmistakable. You advance the mission of justice by ensuring every client, regardless of background, receives a complete, diligent, and compassionate investigation.

Required qualifications and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, sociology, political science, or a related field and at least one year of experience as an investigator, in law enforcement or public defense, or as a paralegal, or closely related area. Comparable combination of education and experience may be considered.


• Must successfully complete pre-employment background process.


• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license or be able to arrange necessary and timely transportation for field travel.


• Working knowledge of South Dakota law and law enforcement policies and procedures.


• Knowledge of principles, methods, and techniques of criminal investigation including gathering, preserving, and presenting evidence.


• Knowledge of effective interviewing methods and techniques.


• Ability to work effectively with witnesses of the criminal justice system.


• Ability to demonstrate cultural mindfulness in all communications.


• Ability to understand and follow written and verbal directions.


• Knowledge of and skill in using technology and related software systems.


• Effective verbal and written communication.


• Ability to build and maintain positive, collaborative relationships with coworkers, other agencies, and the public.


• Present a professional appearance and communicate with others in a respectful and approachable way.

Minnehaha County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or creed, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, sex or gender including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity, marital status, age, disability, veteran’s status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by contacting Human Resources at [phone].