PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, 20TH CIRCUIT- INVESTIGATOR I - 21003655

State of Florida•LaBelle, FL

5d•$40,000 - $45,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Law Offices of the Public Defender, 20th Judicial Circuit, is seeking qualified applicants for an Investigator I position. The agency is looking for individuals to conduct investigations of felony, misdemeanor, and juvenile cases, and support the agency’s attorneys in preparing their client’s defense. The starting salary for the position is $40,000 to $45,000 annually, dependent upon experience and qualifications.

Requirements

Display high standards of ethical conduct, including professional ethics relating to confidentiality, attorney-client privilege, and relationships.
Maintain a professional appearance and demeanor.
Demonstrate strong work ethic and commitment to the mission of the agency.
Maintain composure and perform effectively under stressful conditions.
Exhibit strong analytical skills including the ability to research, organize, schedule, analyze, and present investigative findings.
Manage multiple assignments and projects simultaneously.
Work independently as well as work effectively with team members.
Communicate effectively and professionally with clients, staff, witnesses, the public, and others, including with people of various backgrounds, education levels, and cultural diversity, using both verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
Demonstrate and utilize knowledge of investigative techniques, interviewing skills, and observation techniques.
Plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments by prioritizing and meeting deadlines.
Identify problems, determine accuracy and relevance of information, use sound judgment to generate solutions and evaluate alternatives, and communicate recommendations.
Understand the criminal justice and court system and exhibit familiarity with legal terminology.
Understand and apply relevant rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Document case files.
Operate office equipment, including cameras, video and digital recording equipment, voice recording devices, scanners, and copiers.
Utilize computer systems including Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook.
Write in a clear, articulate, and accurate manner using proper and correct English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Follow written and oral instructions and procedures.
Travel to various locations throughout the 20th Judicial Circuit for assignments, field work, and/or training.
Ability to read, analyze and interpret investigation requests, technical procedures, criminal history records and other reports.
Demonstrate the ability to write reports, correspondence, timelines and analysis of documents.
Demonstrate the ability to present oral testimony in court.
Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate with clients and witnesses taking into consideration cultural diversity.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals.
Must be able to understand and/or perform written and/or oral instructions furnished in a variety of ways.
Must be able to evaluate problems, isolate key issues, research and develop alternative solutions.
Valid Florida Driver’s License

Responsibilities

Conducting field investigations.
Photographing evidence and crime scenes and preparing related diagrams/charts/graphs as requested by the attorney.
Requesting records from various agencies and organizations and obtaining releases from clients as necessary in order to request the appropriate records.
Overseeing investigative requests from attorneys within the agency in a timely manner.
Locating and interviewing witnesses and obtaining statements if requested by the attorney.
Locating clients in accordance with agency guidelines.
Questioning individuals and gathering and analyzing information in support of potential defenses.
Interviewing clients, including clients in jail.
Interviewing juvenile clients in juvenile detention.
Serving subpoenas.
Testifying and presenting evidence in court.
Transporting clients on an occasional basis.
Documenting work using the agency’s database.
Communicating with defendants requesting the agency’s services and collaborating with them to complete an application for services.
Performing background checks.
Communicating effectively with various agencies within the criminal justice system as needed (e.g. Clerk of Court, jail facilities).
Attending First Appearance hearings for newly arrested clients in an effort to proactively identify cases where investigation is needed, or immediate action is required.
Performing related work and other duties as assigned.