PUBLIC DEFENDER INVESTIGATOR

Washtenaw County Health Department; Michigan; On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Washtenaw County Public Defender's Office seeks an Investigator to provide investigative services, cultivate leads, and support trial preparation. The role includes interviewing witnesses, obtaining statements, and gathering records to assist attorneys.

Responsibilities include locating, interviewing, and coordinating witnesses, delivering subpoenas, and performing surveillance as needed. The investigator will prepare exhibits and testify in court, maintaining timely case management updates.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice or related field required.
• 3+ years of government investigations experience required.
• Prior law enforcement or military service preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse individuals.

Responsibilities

• Locates and interviews witnesses, victims and clients in a timely manner.
• Delivers subpoenas to witnesses in a timely manner.
• Conducts surveillance of stationary and mobile subjects as directed.
• Prepares photographs, diagrams, maps and trial exhibits for trial.
• Testifies in court concerning findings of investigations.
• Maintains case management software updates in a timely manner.

Skills

Witness interviews

Evidence collection

Record searches

Covert surveillance

Court testimony

Interpersonal communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice or related field

Tools

Case management software

Job description

Under the direction of the Chief Public Defender, the Investigator provides investigative services to the County Public Defender's Office. Cultivates leads and furthers areas of inquiry from available information. May search official and unofficial records, obtains statements, takes photographs, creates drawings, recordings, and models and assists Assistant Public Defender's in trial preparation.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Locates and interviews witnesses, victims and clients in a timely manner.
• Delivers subpoenas to witnesses in a timely manner.
• As directed by the attorney, conducts surveillance of both stationary and mobile subjects in a covert manner.
• Coordinates witnesses regarding Court appearances.
• Prepares professional photographs, diagrams, maps and trial exhibits to facilitate improved understanding of a case.
• Testifies in court concerning findings of investigations.
• Develops leads and sources of information.
• Performs assigned investigations and updates case management software in a timely manner.
• Participates in case review meetings. Maintains frequent contact with attorneys regarding case activity.
• Obtains, analyzes and disseminates pertinent records including court, medical, military, criminal, and psychological; reviews presentence reports, prepares appropriate support documents.
• Maintains availability to other staff members for consultation and education; participates in training programs.
• Completes special projects and other duties as assigned by the Chief Public Defender and/or the Deputy Public Defender.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrates zealous representation of clients and client advocacy.
• Ability to operate technology to search and retrieve information.
• Ability to identify, recruit, train, and retain talented and dedicated investigators.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with a variety of people from divergent backgrounds.
• Ability to operate typical office equipment such as phones, computer, fax, calculator, printer, copier, scanner, digital video and digital cameras.
• Ability to deal effectively with people of widely divergent backgrounds, within and outside the office, and to relate empathetically to clients and their special needs.
• Exercise common sense and good judgment.
• Utilize services of interpreters as necessary to communicate with clients, witnesses and other persons related to the case.
• Maintain confidentiality with highly sensitive information.
• Learn quickly and function efficiently under stressful and distracting conditions; ability to multi-task.
• Accept direction and follow office policies and procedures.
• Work independently as well as cooperatively in a legal services team atmosphere.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATION

• A State of Michigan Professional Investigator License (MCL 338.821 et seq) or ability to become licensed within 6 months.
• Possession of a valid driver's license and access to a vehicle.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work is typically performed in an office setting although daily field work occurs approximately 40% of the time. Investigators work a majority of their hours between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Ability to work flexible hours including evenings, nights and/or holidays and weekends as necessary in order to contact witnesses and information sources.

These requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

EDUCATION

Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice or related field required.

EXPERIENCE

3 (three) or more years of experience in government investigations required. Prior experience in law enforcement or military service is preferred.

This class description intends to identify the major duties and requirements of the job and should not be interpreted as all-inclusive. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related duties other than those outlined above and may be required to specific job-related knowledge for successful job performance.