Investigator Supervisor

The Legal Aid Society • New York, NY

19d • $101,231 - $106,231 • Onsite

About The Position

The Legal Aid Society has an immediate opening for an Investigator Supervisor supporting 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.

Reporting to the Director of Investigative Services, the Investigator Supervisor supports Attorneys-in-Charge and defense teams in delivering high-quality services to clients. The role helps develop and expand training for investigators, investigative interns, attorneys, and other defense staff. It requires criminal defense investigation knowledge and experience, as well as leadership, training, and communication skills. The supervisor promotes investigative best practices, mentorship, case management, case conferencing, administrative effectiveness, use of investigative technology, and continuing professional development.

The role combines staff training and supervision with an active investigative caseload. Duties include supporting recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and training; developing training materials; assessing investigative requests and caseloads; coordinating priorities and resources; and providing field support, evaluation, and case assistance. The supervisor also manages staff schedules and administrative processes, supports employee development and performance, and helps advance improvements to investigative techniques and technology.

The position may require work after 5 p.m. and on weekends, travel throughout New York City, and occasional physical activity including lifting up to 10 pounds. The salary range is $101,231–$106,231. The Legal Aid Society offers health insurance, paid vacation, disability and life insurance, and other benefits. The employer is eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and New York residents may be eligible for state loan-repayment assistance. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without visa or permit sponsorship, subject to the stated TN visa documentation provision for citizens of Canada and Mexico.

Requirements

• A 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 and mentoring people in investigative services.
• 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 New York (tri-state region) driver's license and access to a vehicle for daily field work.
• 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. Ability to use cameras, video equipment, tape recorders, and other relevant technology as appropriate.
• Effective listening, communication, speaking, writing, teaching, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds and personalities within The Legal Aid Society and New York City communities.
• Commitment to The Legal Aid Society's mission and values, including securing equal justice before the law for all New Yorkers.
• Interpersonal and communication skills that support healthy, productive working relationships.
• Ability to perform duties with the highest regard for confidentiality, integrity, and respect.
• Ability to perform occasional or frequent physical movement that may include bending, reaching, pulling, pushing, standing or walking for long periods, and accessing small spaces.
• Ability to lift 10 pounds occasionally or routinely.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship for a work visa or permit; the posting states that TN visa employment-status documentation may be provided for citizens of Canada and Mexico.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Support the Director of Investigative Services in recruiting, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, and training staff and investigative interns, including for 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 staff in delivering investigative services across trial offices and specialized units.
• Work with the Director of Investigative Services and offices to troubleshoot investigative cases and personnel challenges using discretion and sound judgment.
• Assess investigative requests and caseloads in collaboration with client, attorney, and office needs, while monitoring compliance with best practices and professional ethical rules.
• Organize work, set priorities, determine resource requirements, establish goals and strategies, coordinate with managers, monitor progress, and evaluate outcomes.
• Complete ongoing training and professional development, including best-practices training directed by 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 field cases.
• Support the professional growth, training, and development of investigative staff 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 provided by management and Human Resources.
• Use management and supervision practices that affirmatively support workplace equity and inclusion.
• Assess and report the training, technological, investigative, and administrative needs of investigative staff and interns.
• Supervise direct reports by setting performance standards, providing feedback and coaching or counseling, and issuing disciplinary action as needed.
• Lead organizational and cultural change for the Investigative unit.
• Resolve employee conflicts and complaints and address union concerns with Human Resources guidance.
• Assist in developing strategic plans to integrate improved investigative techniques and technology into the criminal defense practice.
• Continuously learn about workplace bias and demonstrate behaviors that support an inclusive work environment.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Paid vacation
• Disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness and other state and federal loan-forgiveness programs
• New York residents may be eligible for state loan-repayment assistance, depending on years of practice

What This Job Offers

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