Investigator-Capital Habeas Unit

Position Description

Position Announcement 26-12

Office of the Federal Public Defender

Western District of Texas (Austin)

THE FEDERAL PUBLIC DEFENDER for the Western District of Texas is now accepting applications for the position of Investigator for the Capital Habeas Unit in Austin, Texas. The Capital Habeas Unit (CHU) represents indigent, death‑sentenced Texas prisoners in federal habeas corpus proceedings in the four United States District Courts in Texas, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court.

The investigator plays an integral role in the development and work‑up of a client’s case. Related duties include forming trusting relationships with clients, locating and interviewing witnesses, serving subpoenas, photographing/videotaping crime scenes and evidence, locating and retrieving documents and other tangible evidence, talking to clients’ family members, and working with experts. The investigator will use computer software for word‑processing and accessing databases and graphics to assist attorneys in developing evidence for use in litigation.

The investigator is expected to keep current on new developments in litigation support technology, recommend additions and modifications to current tools, and testify in court as required. The full position qualifications statement and position description is available in this office.

The starting salary will be commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the applicant within a range of $76,777 (JSP-11, Step
1) to $129,311 (JSP-14, Step
1) per annum. The position is in the excepted service and does not have the tenure rights of the competitive Civil Service. The position does offer federal government employment benefits, including health and life insurance programs, retirement, and the Thrift Savings Plan. Salary is payable only by Electronic Funds Transfer (direct deposit).