Investigator 2 - Ottumwa

State of Iowa • Ottumwa - 52501 - Wapello County, IA

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About The Position

The Iowa State Public Defender’s Office is seeking an Investigator 2 for its Ottumwa office in Wapello County, Iowa. The Office’s mission is to ensure that indigent persons in Iowa receive high-quality legal representation in criminal, juvenile, and other eligible proceedings in an efficient and fiscally responsible manner.

The Investigator assists public defenders with pretrial investigations of assigned criminal defense cases. The role includes obtaining and reviewing case information, selecting investigative methods, conducting research and field investigations, locating and interviewing clients and witnesses, and preparing reports and other materials for case evaluation and defense. The Investigator also gathers and preserves evidence, supports defense strategy and trial preparation, serves as a trial assistant and witness liaison, and may occasionally coordinate other investigators working on a case. Other duties may be assigned by the Local Public Defender Supervisor.

Requirements

• Meet at least one of the listed minimum qualification pathways: an accredited four-year degree in law enforcement, corrections, criminology, police science, accounting, finance, or law plus one year of full-time investigator work requiring knowledge of law enforcement, corrections, or criminal investigation.
• Alternatively, have an accredited four-year degree in law enforcement, corrections, criminology, police science, accounting, finance, or law plus one year of full-time experience administering a program involving unemployment insurance or public assistance benefit programs, correctional rules and regulations, and/or court or administrative hearing processes.
• Alternatively, have a total of five years of qualifying education and/or full-time experience as described in the first two qualification pathways; 30 semester hours of relevant accredited college coursework equals one year of full-time experience.
• Alternatively, have current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes 12 months of full-time work as an Investigator 1 or 24 months of full-time work as a Warehouse and Grain Dealer Examiner.
• Some positions may require the ability to pass a background investigation.

Responsibilities

• Assist public defenders in the pretrial investigation of assigned criminal defense cases.
• Obtain and review case information to determine investigative methods; use agency-specific programs to open, track, and close cases and research information sources.
• Use computer databases and records to conduct criminal history checks, public record searches, and other research.
• Conduct assigned field investigations and surveillance; locate and interview clients, witnesses, and other persons.
• Prepare written reports, summaries, and correspondence for evaluating and defending assigned cases.
• Collect, compile, analyze, and preserve photographic or video evidence, relevant news articles, and other physical evidence.
• Attend initial appearances and conduct initial interviews of jailed clients.
• Serve and deliver court documents, including subpoenas, affidavits, and reports, at the direction of public defenders.
• Assist with defense strategy by gathering and organizing evidence and testimony for depositions and trials, locating experts, and coordinating expert witnesses.
• Assist in monitoring cases for conflicts and maintaining the iDOCIT client information database.
• Serve as a trial assistant and defense witness liaison during trials, helping marshal evidence and witnesses, communicate with clients and family members, and assist with jury selection.
• Occasionally act as a team leader to coordinate investigators assigned to a case.
• Perform other duties as directed by the Local Public Defender Supervisor.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Vision insurance
• Paid vacation
• Paid holidays
• Sick leave accrual
• Professional development opportunities
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care
• Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) retirement package
• Retirement Investors Club employer-sponsored retirement plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee discount programs
• Access to an on-site employee fitness center at the 6200 Park Avenue location only

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level