Investigator

United States Courts; Spokane (WA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health

Vision

Life insurance/AD&D

Flexible savings account

11 federal holidays

13 days of paid sick leave

13 days of paid vacation

Job summary

United States Courts in Spokane, WA seeks an Investigator to support trial teams with witness coordination, evidence handling and hearing preparation. The role involves substantial fieldwork across a wide geographic area and close collaboration with trial attorneys.

Applicants should have investigative experience in the criminal justice field, strong interviewing and report writing skills, and the ability to manage deadlines in a multidisciplinary team. Some travel is required.

Qualifications

• Must have at least six years total experience with three of those years demonstrated and documented investigative experience.
• College degree is preferred and knowledge of investigative principles and techniques is required.
• Spanish language proficiency is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Prepare hearings and trials; coordinate witnesses and documents.
• Assist attorneys at hearings and trials; evaluate testimony and subpoenas.
• Review discovery and case documentation; gather records and locate witnesses.
• Photograph crime scenes and evidence; perform computer analysis as needed.

Skills

Investigative experience

Interviewing skills

Report writing

Education

College degree preferred

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

Outlook

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

Overview of the Position Investigators are integral members of the case and trial team; they maintain client and family relationships and prepare for hearings and trials. Investigators work closely with trial attorneys in determining scope, timing and direction of the investigation; assists attorneys at hearings and trials by evaluating testimony, coordinating witnesses and documents, serving subpoenas and notifying defense witnesses of court appearances. Anticipated start date mid-November 2026.

Location Spokane, WA

Opening and Closing Dates 10/14/2026 - Open Until Filled

Appointment Type Permanent

Salary Not specified

Position Description

Applicants should have investigative experience in the criminal justice field and possess good interviewing and report writing skills. Our cases are investigation-intensive and require substantial fieldwork, including witness interviews and crime scene investigation across a wide geographic area.

Investigators are integral members of the case and trial team; they maintain client and family relationships and prepare for hearings and trials. Investigators work closely with trial attorneys in determining scope, timing and direction of the investigation; assists attorneys at hearings and trials by evaluating testimony, coordinating witnesses and documents, serving subpoenas and notifying defense witnesses of court appearances.

Other duties include reviewing and analyzing discovery and other case documentation; ordering and gathering all records relevant to a case; locating people such as potential witnesses and experts; retrieving tangible evidence, personal property and relevant paraphernalia; computer analysis; and photographing crime scenes and evidence.

Qualifications

Must have at least six years total experience with three of those years demonstrated and documented investigative experience; some higher education may be substituted for experience. College degree is preferred. Must have comprehensive knowledge of investigative principles, methods and techniques; the ability to identify and evaluate pertinent facts; and exercise good judgment in a mature diplomatic manner.

The position requires strong time management skills and the ability to work effectively under the pressure of deadlines. The candidate should be a self-starter who is dependable, organized, detail-oriented, and able to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team. Advanced computer proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Outlook and Adobe Acrobat is necessary. Spanish language proficiency is preferred but not required. The candidate must be able to accommodate a flexible schedule and travel as required.

We are interested in applicants’ talent, intelligence, dedication, and commitment to ensuring that all people are treated fairly and respectfully, regardless of the allegation or circumstance.

General Experience

Applicants should have investigative experience in the criminal justice field and possess good interviewing and report writing skills. Our cases are investigation-intensive and require substantial fieldwork, including witness interviews and crime scene investigation across a wide geographic area.

Investigators are integral members of the case and trial team; they maintain client and family relationships and prepare for hearings and trials. Investigators work closely with trial attorneys in determining scope, timing and direction of the investigation; assists attorneys at hearings and trials by evaluating testimony, coordinating witnesses and documents, serving subpoenas and notifying defense witnesses of court appearances.

Specialized Experience

Other duties include reviewing and analyzing discovery and other case documentation; ordering and gathering all records relevant to a case; locating people such as potential witnesses and experts; retrieving tangible evidence, personal property and relevant paraphernalia; computer analysis; and photographing crime scenes and evidence.

Employee Benefits

• Health
• Vision
• Life insurance/AD&D & long-term disability
• Flexible savings account
• 11 paid federal holidays
• 13 days of paid annual sick leave
• 13 days of paid annual vacation (the rate of paid vacation leave increases based on years of service)

Salary is paid semi-monthly (mid-month and end-of-month) via direct deposit.

The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.