Job Posting for Investigator

PUBLIC DEFENDER INVESTIGATOR

The Public Defender 's Office is seeking candidates for an exciting opportunity in their Investigator 's Division . Candidates will preferably have attained qualifications in Psychology related fields This position will give the successful candidate the opportunity to creatively and expertly use their skills and learning in diverse and challenging environments Definition of Position

Under general supervision , to perform skilled investigations , interview clients and witnesses , including building the client 's social history and gather evidence on behalf of indigents represented by the Office of the Public Defender

p Distinguishing Characteristics of Position

Investigators work with Defense Counsel to investigate alleged crimes and possible defenses to those allegations for their clients . Clients may also be respondents in commitment proceedings in juvenile court or mental illness in superior court . Public Defender Investigators will interview both clients and witnesses and verify or corroborate information obtained . The social history of clients will be included in the investigation and will form part of the analysis and corroboration process . Investigators will then analyze and memorialize that information in regular reports to Public Defenders

Typical Tasks of this Position

Interviews indigents represented by the Office of the Public Defender for detailed information relating to the case

Locates and interviews witnesses including law enforcement officials

Takes statements and depositions , collects data , reports findings , oral and written , in details , including synopsis of facts , dates , names places , findings of arresting officers

Develops new facts and information

Initiates new areas of investigation

Develops sources of information including expert witnesses

Locates , views and retrieves tangible evidence , personal property and other relevant object or documents

Photographs crime scenes and evidence

Maintains s and information reference systems

Prepares reports and correspondence

Appears in court to testify as a witness

Qualifications Required

Candidates for this position must hold a Bachelor 's Degree in Psychology supplemented by courses in Administration of Justice and a demonstrated study in the area of forensic psychology . Candidates with degrees in Criminology , Penology , Sociology , or Journalism may also be considered

Essential Demonstrated Abilities

Ability to gain trust , uncover vital information , earn credibility and fashion a coherent and persuasive plan to present to the court or the jury

Skilled in open and direct /indirect questioning techniques

Ability to liaise with clients and witnesses to create Genograms (Family Trees ) and developmental history of clients

Ability to exhibit exceptional problem-solving skills

Ability to analyze problems and identify creative and unorthodox solutions to these problems

Strong social skills

Ability to easily and comfortably communicate with strangers

Strong oral and written communication skills and the ability to communicate articulately

Ability to gather , organize and evaluate data

Basic knowledge of computers and general software

Beneficial Knowledge (not essential as training can be provided

Investigative techniques and procedures

The rules of evidence and of court procedures

The techniques of identifying , preserving and presenting evidence

The laws of arrest , search and seizure , service of legal process , and the legal rights of citizens

Understanding of other cultures and the challenges , they face in the Justice system

References

Public Defender...