Investigator 3 - Administrative Office

State of Iowa • Des Moines - 50021 - Polk County, IA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Iowa State Public Defender’s Office is seeking a highly motivated, skilled, and enthusiastic individual to serve as an Investigator 3 in our Administrative office located in Polk County, Iowa. The mission of the Office of the State Public Defender is to ensure that all indigent persons in Iowa are provided high quality legal representation in criminal, juvenile, and other eligible proceedings in the most efficient and fiscally responsible manner.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited four year college or university with major course work in law enforcement, corrections, criminology, police science, accounting, finance or law and experience equal to two years of full-time work in law enforcement, corrections or criminal investigation; OR graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in an area not listed above and experience equal to three years of qualifying work; OR a combination of education and experience, substituting one year of qualifying full-time experience for each thirty semester hours of general college or university coursework; OR employees with current continuous experience in the State executive branch that includes experience equal to twelve months of full-time work as an Investigator 1 or 2, or in a comparable position involving investigative work experience.
• Applicants for positions in the Department of Inspections and Appeals must undergo a background investigation which includes a criminal history check and a dependent adult and child abuse registry check.
• As required for entry into the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy for designated positions, successful applicants must be of good moral character as determined by a thorough background investigation and not have been convicted of a felony or a crime of moral turpitude; applicants must be a United States citizen.
• Some positions may require a valid driver's or chauffeur's license.

Responsibilities

• Assists attorneys in the pretrial investigation of criminal defense cases, including gathering facts, locating and interviewing clients and witnesses, performing criminal history checks and other public record searches, obtaining necessary photographic or video evidence, collecting relevant news articles, obtaining and evaluating other physical evidence, and performing other investigative tasks as assigned.
• Prepares written reports of investigative activities for attorneys.
• Develops and maintains expertise in specialized investigative technology including but not limited to digital forensics.
• Assists in the preparation of defense strategy, including gathering and organizing evidence and testimony in preparation for depositions and trials and locating experts in various fields and coordinating the use of expert witnesses.
• Performing other duties as directed by the Local Public Defender Supervisor.
• Provides support for all public defender investigators through the coordination of investigatory tools available to all offices of the state public defender.
• Serves and delivers court documents, such as subpoenas, affidavits, and reports, at the direction of attorneys.
• Serves as trial assistant and defense witness liaison during trials, assisting attorneys to marshal evidence and witnesses, communicate with clients and family members, and aids in jury selection process.
• Coordinates, designs, and conducts training activities for all public defender investigators.
• Testify at proceedings at administrative, district court, and other hearings to present evidence in support of state public defender clients.
• Individual will be responsible for statewide coordination of investigative work for the State Public Defender.

Benefits

• excellent health, dental, life and vision insurance
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, paid holidays, and sick leave accrual.
• Opportunities for professional development.
• 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 for support when you need it most.
• Employee Discount Programs from a variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, and more)
• Access to an on-site employee fitness center (6200 Park Avenue location only).

What This Job Offers

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