Defense Investigator - Public Defense Services

Overview

Job Type: Classified

Job Classification: 5458 - Defense Investigator

Salary Grade: 12

Pay Range:
Hiring Range $27.71 - $33.25 per hour;
Pay Range $27.71 - $38.79 per hour. The Hiring Range is an estimate; the actual salary offer will consider a wide range of factors including skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.

The Pima County Public Defender's Office is seeking two qualified and dedicated Defense Investigators to join its team of professionals representing adult and juvenile clients. The Defense Investigator is a skilled professional tasked with uncovering the truth and gathering evidence to support the client s defense. Duties include interviewing witnesses, conducting background checks on case-involved parties, and checking facts in police reports, all in the client s defense.

Defense Investigators play a crucial role in helping defense attorneys build a strong case and are vital to ensuring a fair and just legal system. This position conducts highly complex and specialized investigations and prepares documentation for presentation in court, including gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and analyzing case materials to support the defense in criminal cases, juvenile delinquency proceedings, and dependency proceedings.

The ideal candidate should possess strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to upholding the principles of justice.

For more information on the Pima County Public Defense Services Department and offices, please visit their website at:(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./pds

As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, this classification may include tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. This list is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks. Work assignments may vary and will be communicated by the supervisor.

• Locates, identifies, and interviews clients, witnesses, and other persons, often involving sensitive or personal issues.
• Identifies, collects, and processes evidence, including electronic evidence, as well as photographs, crime scenes, and other items of evidence.
• Interprets lab reports regarding DNA, fingerprints, tool marks, and firearms.
• Interprets specialized reports commonly used by law enforcement.
• Prepares reports to assist in defense of clients.
• Testifies in a variety of judicial proceedings.
• Serves and returns subpoenas.
• Obtains and reviews case information to determine investigative methods.
• Utilizes social media platforms for investigative purposes.
• Utilizes appropriate computer databases or records for investigative purposes.

Bachelor s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in law enforcement, law, criminal justice or related investigative area (e.g., accounting, finance, computer science) AND two years of investigative experience in a specialized investigative area. Related experience and/or education from an accredited college or university may be substituted. OR Five years of investigative experience, at least three years in criminal investigation.

Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application. Do not substitute a resume for your application.

Preferred Qualifications (Be specific in describing your experience in your application. Describe competencies addressing required and preferred qualifications):

• Bilingual (English/Spanish).
• Minimum three (3) years experience in law enforcement.

Pima County Human Resources Department reserves the right to admit to the selection process only those candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. All applications will be assessed based on the listed education and experience. Candidates meeting the minimum qualifications may be further evaluated against preferred qualifications. The hiring authority will interview and select from a referral list provided by Human Resources.

Additional assessments/testing may be required as part of the selection process.

Licenses and Certificates:
Valid driver license required at time of application. AZ driver license required at time of appointment. The successful applicant will be subject to a 39-month DOT Motor Vehicle Record review to determine suitability to operate county vehicles. Failure to obtain and maintain required licenses and certifications may be grounds for termination. Any offer of employment is contingent upon Fleet Services’ review and approval of the candidate s driving record.

Some positions may require a valid Arizona Class D driver license at time of application or prior to completion of an initial or promotional probation period.

Special Notice Items:
The County requires pre-employment background checks. Post-offer, pre-employment background screening will verify work history, education, and criminal conviction history. A prior criminal conviction will not…