Criminal Investigator 1 - Athens, OH

State of Ohio • Athens, OH

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Office of the Ohio Public Defender (OPD) is seeking a qualified Criminal Investigator 1 to serve in the Athens County Office of our Trial Services Division. You will conduct criminal fact investigations of possible non-capital felonies and misdemeanors and assist in preparing and presenting cases at all levels of litigation including trials in Municipal, Juvenile, & Common Pleas Courts. The Trial Services Division provides client-centered representation to indigent clients facing criminal charges across the counties in Ohio. You will travel regularly throughout Athens County, and will spend time in the community, in jails, and in courthouses. The office has four staff attorneys, four core support staff, one supervising attorney, a social work assistant, and one investigator. You will report to the Office Director. Successful candidates will have passion for working with a large team and assisting people who are facing the challenges of poverty. The preferred candidate will have professional or volunteer experience helping to pursue a fair justice system.

Requirements

• 12 mos. trg. or 12 mos. exp. in conducting investigations of complaints or possible violations of laws & rules or agency/company policies & procedures.
• Completion of associate degree program core coursework in law enforcement.
• Equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above.
• Investigation
• Adaptability
• Analyzation
• Customer Focus
• Interpreting Data
• Teamwork

Nice To Haves

• Professional or volunteer experience helping to pursue a fair justice system.

Responsibilities

• Investigate the facts and circumstances of the alleged offense
• Interview clients
• Review case materials
• Using a variety of tools, locate, contact, and interview witnesses in the field
• Locate, contact, and interview other suspects and family members as needed
• Gather physical and documentary evidence
• Prepare and complete reports of interviews, findings, and timelines for use in trial
• Gather documentation to support the testimony of expert and lay witnesses
• View and diagram crime scenes
• Assist in identifying records to put into evidence
• Travel throughout Ohio and outside the state as necessary to locate and interview potential witnesses
• Serve as a liaison to clients’ families, law enforcement, various defense witnesses, and attorneys to transmit information
• Meet regularly with others on defense team to provide updates on investigation and to collaborate with team members
• Assist with mail, court runs, or filings

Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems ( such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS ) & Optional Deferred Compensation ( Ohio Deferred Compensation )

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree