Investigator

Siouxland Heritage Museums; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 44,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision, and life_insur

PTO from day one

Extended sick leave

SDRS retirement system benefits

Deferred compensation plan

Job summary

Minnehaha County Public Defender's Office is seeking an Investigator to perform professional investigative work supporting defense attorneys. You will interview witnesses, review records, and gather evidence to inform case strategy in the public defense system.

This role emphasizes factual accuracy, timelines, and compassionate outreach to clients, with a strong team focus and opportunities to impact justice in our community.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, sociology, political science, or related field with at least one year of investigatory experience.
• Must pass pre-employment background check.
• Valid driver''s license or ability to arrange 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.

Responsibilities

• Interview key witnesses and examine scenes to gather information.
• Build timelines and create visual exhibits to support defense.
• Verify information and challenge unsupported claims.
• Collaborate with attorneys to craft precise case strategies.
• Ensure investigations are thorough, fair, and compassionate.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Interview techniques

Criminal investigations knowledge

Technology literacy

Education

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

Job description

Why Join Our Team

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.

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

How You Will Make an Impact

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.

What You Need to Succeed in this Role

• 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.

EEO Statement

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].

Insurance

• Coverage effective 1st of the month following 30 days of employment.
• Available for employees and dependents.

Health/Prescription - Minnehaha County's health benefit plan offers low deductibles with two network options for coverage: Avera or Sanford. The county pays for 75% of the premium rates. Pharmacy benefits included.

Dental - Minnehaha County offers dental insurance through Delta Dental which covers 100% of diagnostic and preventative services.

Life Insurance - Minnehaha County provides a $15,000 basic life insurance policy for every full-time employee along with an additional $15,000 accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) benefit. Additional term life insurance and AD&D may be purchased by employees for themselves and dependents through payroll deduction.

Retirement

Minnehaha County participates in the South Dakota Retirement System. Employees receive a 6% match (8% for certified law enforcement). Other SDRS benefits include long term disability. Employees are vested after 3 years of continuous employment.

Deferred Compensation Plan - Employees may choose to save additional funds toward retirement on a pre-tax or after-tax (Roth IRA) basis through our supplemental retirement program.

Paid Time Off

• Paid Time Off - approximately 128 hours (16 days) per year
• Holiday Leave - 11 days per calendar year
• Extended Sick Leave - approximately 48 hours (6 days) per year

Flexible Spending Plan

Flexible Spending Reimbursement Accounts (FSA) - Minnehaha County offers FSA for Health Care and Dependent Care. This is a great way to put money aside for health and dependent care costs on a pre-tax basis.

Eye Med Vision Policy

Eye Med Insight Network - Minnehaha County offers a vision plan for employees and dependents! The plan offers low premiums with a frame or lens allowance of up to $130 per year and an annual eye exam. Chose from many participating retailers such as Pearle Vision, Target Optical, LensCrafters and many others!