Criminal Defense Investigator - Public Defender (OPEN & PROMOTIONAL)

Spokane County•Village of Fonda, NY

1d•$63,814 - $88,878•Hybrid

About The Position

This recruitment is open to all applicants meeting the minimum requirements. Priority consideration will be given to Spokane County employees in a position covered by the 1553 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) submitting applications between 6/02/26 and 6/09/26. The position allocated to this class is responsible for independently performing extensive, specialized investigative tasks requiring a broad understanding of criminal law, criminal procedure and current forensic principles. Under the general direction of a designated supervisor, job duties include the collection and evaluation of evidence relative to active cases before the Public Defender and Counsel for Defense. This classification differs from investigative classifications in the County Sheriff’s Department by its lack of powers of arrest and requirement to carry a firearm. It differs from the Investigator classification within the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office by more extensive and complex investigation duties required in criminal defense work.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in criminal justice or a social science field, AND Three (3) years of experience in a position that required gathering, organizing, preserving and presenting data/information- preferably in an investigative capacity.
The education requirement may be substituted with four (4) years of criminal investigation experience.
Possession of a valid Driver's License at time of hire and for the duration of employment.
Must successfully pass a criminal background check.
Must be physically able to drive and perform field work.
Work requires the incumbent to own or have regular access to a privately owned and reliable vehicle capable of accommodating at least two passengers.
Must meet requirements of the Spokane County Vehicle Use Policy.
Knowledge of the criminal justice system and investigative practices and procedures.
Knowledge of criminal procedure and applicable case law, including the laws of arrest, search and seizure, subpoena service, rules of evidence, etc.
Knowledge of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), as it pertains to criminal procedures.
Knowledge of effective interviewing and interrogating techniques.
Knowledge of laboratory procedures, methods and uses of scientific investigative equipment and analysis incident to the investigation of crimes.
Skilled in communicating effectively both orally and in writing, sufficient to exchange or convey information and to give and receive work direction.
Skilled in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
Skilled in the use of computers, smart phones, tablets, cameras, video recorders and other electronic devices and their associated media.
Familiarity with Outlook, MS Word, Excel and other Windows software.
Ability to objectively gather, compile, analyze and evaluate facts and evidence.
Ability to draw logical conclusions and formulate sound recommendations.
Ability to determine priorities and importance of various types of evidence.
Ability to quickly take accurate and extensive notes of interviews.
Ability to prepare thorough and accurate reports.
Ability to maintain composure during tense, emotional or confrontational situations.
Ability to work independently.
Ability to occasionally work unusual hours including weekends and holidays as needed to complete investigations.
Ability to relate at a calm, respectful, diplomatic and effective level with a wide range of people from varied socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.
Ability to recognize potentially hostile situations; adapt to a wide variety of environments; diffuse, de-escalate or disengage tense verbal situations.
Ability to negotiate effectively and remain calm and reasonable when confronted with emotionally charged situations or conflicting fact patterns.
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality with regard to all information gathered.
Ability to exercise good judgment and tact in dealing with sensitive cases.
Ability to learn and adapt to changing technology and methods.
Ability to maintain a high degree of organization for tracking caseloads of up to 100 open cases through the use of digital records.

Responsibilities

Plans and independently conducts a full range of criminal investigations which may include homicides, robberies, sexual assaults, crimes against children, property crimes, narcotics, etc.
Reviews case information, police reports, photographs, supporting documents, forensic evidence and witness statements to plan and conduct investigations.
Manages a large case load in an accurate and timely manner; sets priorities and balances the competing aspects of urgent requests; maintains detailed records concerning work performed, work still to be completed and deadlines.
Works closely with the attorney assigned to the case in preparation for trial including maintaining all necessary investigative files; reading, reviewing and analyzing pertinent police reports for investigative sufficiency; assisting the attorney in reviewing the case and providing detailed information relative to the investigation in a thorough and professional manner.
Ascertains, locates and obtains necessary case related documents.
Identifies, locates, tracks and interviews witnesses, victims and defendants.
Takes statements and conducts interviews either in the field or office and creates related reports.
Confers with attorneys on the reliability and credibility of witnesses; helps prepare witness testimony.
Answers questions and explains court procedures as needed.
Interviews law enforcement officers and others who may have official or professional information relevant to a legal defense.
Establishes and maintains equitable working relationships with agencies, groups and individuals, both public and private, including varied social service and education agencies; coordinates particular efforts of the department with these entities.
Gains and maintains current knowledge in a broad scope of forensic fields including DNA analysis, photography, videographic evidence (surveillance/body cams), fingerprints, eyewitness identification, digital media from lap tops, smart phones, tablets, social media searches, self-defense and use of force issues, interpretation of crime scene photography/measurements/CAD drawings and all other applicable areas.
Utilizes a variety of electronic equipment and tools, including computers, digital voice recorders, digital cameras, video cameras and recorders, GPS systems, and other related software applications and web-based resources to search for information and potential leads helpful in locating individuals pertinent to the case, including researching and locating expert witnesses.
Downloads, opens, converts and copies a large variety of digital media.
Inspects, evaluates and reworks crime scenes, including measuring, sketching and photographing the crime scene.
Documents observations, evidence and prepares diagrams, charts and scale drawings for use as exhibits in court.
Prepares detailed written reports, acceptable as evidence in court, which accurately and completely communicate the investigator’s unbiased observation of the facts as discovered during the course of the investigation.
May prepare demonstrative evidence for courtroom presentations; transport witnesses; provide courtroom testimony as needed.
Gathers, marks, records and preserves physical evidence; determines the importance and relevance of the evidence in investigations; identifies the need to collect additional evidence and does so as necessary.
Develops a comprehensive understanding of law enforcement practices and communications including understanding radio traffic, Computer Aided Dispatch reports, policy/procedure for local agencies and familiarity with law enforcement structure and idioms.
Processes service, including serving subpoenas to individuals and other entities such as businesses, health care providers, government agencies, and other organizations.
Establishes and maintains rapport with those elements within society which possess information beneficial to the work of the department and positions.
May conduct surveillance to locate and develop information material to the case.
Develops criminal and/or civil intelligence.
Travels outside of County or State to conduct investigations.
Assists in and contributes to the development of case theory and trial strategies, and monitors case development for new leads and theory modifications.
Trains, supervises, and mentors interns to enhance their competency in the criminal justice field.
Serves as an office liaison on all related case investigations with other departments and agencies.
Performs other related duties as required/assigned.