Investigator Supervisor

The Legal Aid Society • New York, NY

19d • Onsite

About The Position

The Legal Aid Society is hiring an Investigator Supervisor for its Homicide Defense Task Force and Specialized Units across New York City. The Criminal Defense Practice provides holistic, client-centered representation to people facing misdemeanor, felony, and homicide charges. The Investigator Supervisor works under the direction and supervision of the Director of Investigative Services and supports Attorneys-in-Charge and defense teams in delivering high-quality investigative services. The role includes developing and expanding training for investigators, investigative interns, attorneys, and other defense team staff, while promoting investigative best practices, mentorship, case management, case conferencing, and effective use of investigative technology. The position also carries an active caseload and includes fieldwork with defense teams.

The supervisor supports recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and training; assesses investigative requests and caseloads; coordinates resources and goals; and monitors professional and ethical standards. They supervise investigative staff, assign work, schedule hours, approve time-off and remote-work requests, manage reimbursements and investigative logs, provide performance feedback and coaching, address employee concerns, and support workplace equity and inclusion. The role also contributes to strategic planning, professional development, and organizational change within the Investigative unit.

The position requires travel around New York City, including the five boroughs, and may require work after 5 p.m. and on weekends. The salary range is $101,231–$106,231. The Legal Aid Society offers health insurance, paid vacation, disability insurance, life insurance, and other benefits. Employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness and certain New York State loan-repayment assistance programs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and at least 3 years of criminal defense investigative work, or a combination of 7 years of post-secondary education and criminal defense investigative work.
• Ability to establish standard operating procedures, best practices, and processes that improve client service and staff professional development.
• Demonstrated experience training others in investigative services, including mentoring.
• Ability to work in and value a collaborative team-representation model.
• Commitment to working collegially and constructively with managers and staff.
• Aptitude for motivating, training, and managing investigative staff and others.
• Experience in and commitment to advocacy on behalf of people of color, low-income people, and non-citizens.
• Knowledge of New York City and ability to travel throughout the city.
• May be required to work after 5 p.m. and on weekends.
• Valid driver’s license in New York (tri-state region) and access to a vehicle for daily fieldwork.
• Knowledge of New York laws of arrest, search and seizure, rules of evidence, courtroom procedures, and subpoena practice, and ability to testify effectively at hearings or trials.
• Skill using office software, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and email; examples include Microsoft Windows, Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and CLEAR.
• Skill using cameras, video equipment, tape recorders, and other relevant technology.
• Effective listening, communication, speaking, writing, teaching, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and with varied personalities within The Legal Aid Society and New York City communities.
• Commitment to The Legal Aid Society’s mission to secure equal justice before the law for all New Yorkers.
• Interpersonal and communication skills that support healthy, productive working relationships.
• Ability to perform duties with confidentiality, integrity, and respect.
• Requires occasional or frequent physical movement, including bending, reaching, pulling, pushing, standing, or walking for long periods, and accessing small spaces.
• Ability to lift 10 pounds on an occasional or routine basis.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship for a work visa or permit.

Nice To Haves

• At least 2 years of management experience.
• Proficiency in a language other than English.
• Investigator certifications.

Responsibilities

• Support recruiting, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, and training of staff and investigative interns, as well as the investigative internship program.
• Help develop training curricula and materials for investigative staff, interns, and attorneys.
• Support Attorneys-in-Charge, directors, supervisors, administrators, attorneys, and other defense team staff in delivering investigative services.
• Work with the Director of Investigative Services and office teams to troubleshoot investigative case and personnel issues using discretion and sound judgment.
• Assess investigative requests and caseloads in collaboration with client, attorney, and office needs, while monitoring adherence to best practices and professional ethics.
• Organize work, set priorities, determine resource requirements, establish goals and strategies, coordinate with managers, and monitor progress and outcomes.
• Complete continuous training and professional development, including best-practices training under the direction of the Director of Investigative Services and the Criminal Defense Practice Training Unit.
• Carry an active caseload and assist, shadow, evaluate, and travel with defense teams on cases in the field.
• Support investigative staff’s professional growth and foster teamwork and communication with defense teams.
• Schedule employee hours, assign work, and approve time-off and remote-work requests in accordance with Legal Aid Society policies and procedures.
• Manage investigator reimbursements, investigative logs, and other office-efficiency and productivity duties.
• Attend management meetings and trainings, and apply employment policies and guidance from management and Human Resources.
• Use management and supervision practices that affirmatively support workplace equity and inclusion.
• Assess and report investigative staff and intern training, technology, investigative, and administrative needs.
• Supervise direct reports, establish performance standards, provide routine feedback and coaching or counseling, and issue disciplinary action as needed.
• Lead organizational and culture change for the Investigative unit.
• Resolve employee conflicts and complaints and address union concerns with guidance from Human Resources.
• Assist in developing strategic plans to integrate improved investigative techniques and technology into criminal defense practice.
• Continuously develop professionally and learn about workplace bias while demonstrating behaviors that support an inclusive environment.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Paid vacation
• Disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Other benefits (not specified)
• Eligibility to participate in Public Service Loan Forgiveness and other State and Federal loan-forgiveness programs
• New York residents may be eligible for New York State loan-repayment assistance, depending on years of practice

What This Job Offers

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