Public Advocate Investigator
About The Position
The Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy (DPA) is nationally recognized as a model state-wide public defender system with an exceptional training and education program. Our defense teams ensure the criminal justice process is fair, results are just, and individual liberties are protected. DPA is one of the few state agencies that has an internally located innocence project whose program is integrated into the public defender program. The Kentucky Innocence Project (KIP) is part of the national innocence network. The KIP team locates those inmates that have been wrongfully convicted and seeks exoneration of those defendants through the development of new evidence and litigation. KIP has secured 24 exonerations since it was started, and our list of exonerees can be seen here: https://dpa.ky.gov/kentucky-department-of-public-advocacy/about-dpa/kip/exonerations/. The ideal candidate exhibits exceptional planning and organizational skills, is self-directed and is also comfortable working with their defense team, which includes attorneys, other investigators, paralegals, and office administrative legal staff. This person must be able to complete high quality work under pressure, communicate well, and work with all kinds of people. We seek to hire persons who have demonstrated a desire to help the underprivileged and often the most vulnerable in their communities, and who understand it is a privilege to represent our clients and we do so on behalf of the people of Kentucky. Please be advised that although medical cannabis has been legalized in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, due to other applicable state or federal laws, employees in this position are prohibited from using medical cannabis. If you need additional information about this prohibition, you may contact the agency point of contact for additional information.
Requirements
- High school graduate.
- Two years experience in law enforcement, general investigation or a related field of investigation.
- Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license prior to employment in this job classification.
- Must maintain any required licensure(s), certification(s), or other credentials for the length of employment in this job classification.
Nice To Haves
- exceptional planning and organizational skills
- self-directed
- comfortable working with their defense team, which includes attorneys, other investigators, paralegals, and office administrative legal staff
- able to complete high quality work under pressure
- communicate well
- work with all kinds of people
- demonstrated a desire to help the underprivileged and often the most vulnerable in their communities
- understand it is a privilege to represent our clients and we do so on behalf of the people of Kentucky
Responsibilities
- Investigators assist attorneys representing indigent children by meeting with children in state facilities, locating and interviewing witnesses, locating, viewing, and performing analysis of evidence, and serving subpoenas.
- Investigators prepare reports associated with witness interviews and the efforts in locating said witnesses. This includes comparing witness statements, developing alternative theories, and following up on investigative leads.
- Investigators may be called as a witness and must be comfortable providing testimony in court.
- Much of the work of the investigator occurs outside of the office and extensive travel is required.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
