Investigator I (Evidence Review Unit)

Frederick County Government; Maryland; Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation leave

Sick leave

Paid holidays

Health insurance

Pension plan

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Frederick County Government seeks an entry-level investigator/legal support staff to aid prosecutors in misdemeanor and felony matters across District, Circuit, and Juvenile Court. Duties include handling body worn camera footage, preparing basic investigative documents, and supporting case development under close direction.

The role offers full benefits with potential partial telework, standard 40-hour weeks, and a path to advancement within the State's Attorney’s Office.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree in criminal justice, criminology, public administration, or related field.
• Minimum of 1 year of work experience in criminal justice, criminology, or related field.
• Substitutions: High School Diploma with 3 years work experience or Bachelor's Degree.
• Knowledge of criminal law, criminal procedure, and rules of evidence.

Responsibilities

• Review of criminal and traffic evidence.
• Prepare and review criminal history for cases and bond investigations.
• Manage case documentation and evidence by uploading and saving records, publishing case updates, and coordinating with law enforcement and other agencies.
• Review, redact and compile body camera footage.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Skills

Criminal justice knowledge

Criminal procedure knowledge

Evidence handling basics

Communication skills

Confidentiality

Education

Associate's degree in criminal justice

High School Diploma with 3 years experience

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Police reporting systems

Digital evidence management systems

Case management systems

Job description

JOB INFORMATION

Exempt; full-time; 40 hours per week (Monday - Friday; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.); full benefits; partial teleworking schedule may be available in accordance with Division policies.

This position performs entry level investigative and case support work to assist prosecutors with misdemeanor and felony matters in District, Circuit, and Juvenile Court. Duties include identifying, requesting, and obtaining body worn camera footage and other digital evidence, preparing basic investigative documents and case summaries, and completing procedural tasks that support case development. Works under close direction from prosecutors or senior investigators and exercises limited discretion in prioritizing tasks or making procedural decisions.

NOTE: The upper pay range reflects possible wage rates for internal County transfers and promotions, which are calculated per County policy. For external hires, offers are made at the base wage rate.

The State’s Attorney’s Office strives to ensure equal opportunities and access for its workforce, applicants, and community members.

NOTE: Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how highly we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full‑time benefited Frederick County Government employee.

• 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
• 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
• 11 paid holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays (10 and 11 month employees may not receive all holidays)
• Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan options to include generous County Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution (if enrolled in the high‑deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
• Employee Health Center with no or low‑cost primary and urgent care
• 100% County paid 2× annual salary Group Term Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit
• County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan
  • Vesting after 5 years of service
  • Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc.
• Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Other employee‑paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Lifetime Benefit with Long Term Care plan

NOTE: Benefited employees will accrue service and leave based on the FTE and/or hours worked per calendar year.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Review of criminal and traffic evidence
• Prepare and review criminal history for cases and bond investigations
• Manage case documentation and evidence by uploading and saving records, publishing case updates, and coordinating with law enforcement and other agencies
• Review, redact and compile body camera footage
• Perform other related duties as required

To perform this job successfully, an employee must be able to perform all essential functions satisfactorily. Any employee's position may not be assigned all functions or equipment listed above, and the examples may not cover all functions or equipment that may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform their essential functions.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical requirements or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Associate's degree in criminal justice, criminology, public administration, or a related field
• Minimum of 1 year of work experience in criminal justice, criminology, or a related field

Substitutions for the above‑listed required education and experience is a High School Diploma with 3 years work experience as described above; or a Bachelor's Degree as described above.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Basic knowledge of criminal law, criminal procedure, and rules of evidence
• Basic understanding of laws of arrest, search and seizure, and evidence handling
• Basic familiarity with police reporting systems, charging documents, digital evidence management systems, and judicial processes
• Basic knowledge of the Maryland Sentencing Guideline procedures and laws
• Skill in reviewing and interpreting police reports and charging documents and drafting case summaries based on digital evidence
• Skill in office software and case management systems and use of applicable computer programs, software, and databases
• Ability to communicate effectively, written and verbally and maintain confidentiality
• Ability to organize case materials and manage documentation accurately
• Ability to utilize investigative tools and methods from training and practice

PREFERENCE MAY BE GIVEN FOR:

• Law enforcement experience in Frederick County
• Experience in the criminal investigation unit of a law enforcement agency
• Work experience in a State's Attorney's Office

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS:

• While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly sit; frequently perform repetitive motions; and occasionally walk
• While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly work indoors

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / EXAMINATION PROCESS

• Failure to meet or maintain the minimum qualifications or additional requirements may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination
• This position is subject to random drug testing

EXAMINATION PROCESS (may include):

1. An evaluation of training and experience
2. One or more interviews
3. Pre‑employment drug test including marijuana
4. Pre‑employment background investigation conducted by the Frederick County State's Attorney's Office

Frederick County Government is committed to providing an inclusive work environment and complies with all applicable laws and regulations regarding workplace accommodation, including for individuals with disabilities. Applicants who require reasonable accommodation during the application and hiring process may contact the Talent Acquisition section of Human Resources. Inquiries about accommodations can be sent to [e-mail]