Public Defender Investigator I

The County of Santa Clara; California (MO); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The County of Santa Clara

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited junior college or equivalent with criminology study and two years of law enforcement or criminal investigation experience.
• Alternative: Bachelor's in Criminology or related field with Administration of Justice courses.
• Alternative: Bachelor's in any field plus one year of Investigator Assistant experience with the County.

Responsibilities

• Conduct field investigations, interview witnesses, and gather evidence for indigents represented by the Public Defender.
• Interview witnesses and locate corroborating information; subpoena evidence as needed.
• Inspect crime scenes and preserve, identify, and record evidence; testify in court when required.
• Coordinate with federal, state, and local agencies to secure testimony and evidence.
• Prepare reports and dictations; assist in case preparation for defense.

Skills

Interview witnesses

Criminal investigation

Evidence gathering

Court testimony

Interagency liaison

Report writing

Education

Associate degree in Criminology or related field

Bachelor's degree in Criminology, Penology, Administration of Justice or related field

Bachelor's degree in any field + 1 year Investigator Assistant experience

Tools

Sound intercepting devices

Photographic equipment

Special investigative equipment

Job description

Under supervision, to perform field investigations, interview witnesses, gather evidence on behalf of indigents represented by the Office of the Public Defender.

NOTE: Candidates who meet the employment standards will be invited to take an on-line examination tentatively scheduled for a seven day window that opens October 26, 2026.

• Investigates financial eligibility of applicants for Public Defender assistance;
• Locates and interviews witnesses;
• Assembles physical and documentary evidence;
• Inspects the scene of the alleged crime in order to locate, identify, assemble, preserve, evaluate and record evidence;
• Interviews indigents represented by the Office of the Public Defender for detailed information relative to requested investigation;
• Acts as liaison with and secures cooperation of Federal, State and local agencies and other sources of corroborative evidence and testimony;
• Uses special equipment such as sound intercepting and recording devices and photographic equipment;
• Subpoenas witnesses and physical evidence;
• Carries out courtesy investigations requested by other Public Defender agencies;
• Develops sources of information;
• Assists the Public Defender and his/her deputies in the preparation of cases for defense;
• Appears in court to testify as witness;
• Dictates correspondence and reports;
• Performs related work as required.

Training and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited junior college, preferably supplemented by courses in criminology and criminal investigation, and two (2) years of experience performing law enforcement or criminal investigation work.

-OR-

Possession of a Bachelor's degree in Criminology, Penology, Administration of Justice or a closely related field such as Sociology, Psychology or Journalism, supplemented by courses in Administration of Justice.

-OR-

Possession of a Bachelor's degree in any field and one (1) year of experience comparable to an Investigator Assistant with the County of Santa Clara.

Possession of a valid California driver's license prior to appointment.

Knowledge of:

• Practices and methods employed in criminal detection and criminal investigation;
• Laws and ordinances effective in the county relevant to the rules of arrest and evidence;
• Court procedures in criminal trials.

Ability to:

• Obtain information through interviews, interrogation, and observation;
• Convey information effectively through: dictation, written reports and verbal testimony before the Court;
• Relate tactfully, impartially, and courteously with the police, the District Attorney, other government agencies, and with the general public;
• Conduct investigations in challenging locations such as remote terrain inaccessible to vehicles and multistory buildings without elevators.