Public Defender Investigator III

State of Maryland•Anne Arundel, MD

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Office of the Public Defender is seeking detail-oriented applicants with investigative and interviewing skills, as well as excellent communication and writing skills to fill Public Defender Investigator III position located in our Mental Health Division Anne Arundel County office. The Public Defender Investigator III is the advanced level of work conducting investigations in cases involving persons represented by the Office of the Public Defender in involuntary civil commitment, Not Criminally Responsible, and post-NCRnot criminally responsible and incompetent to stand trial commitment matters and assisted outpatient treatment cases. Investigations are conducted to develop, gather, or verify information to defend involuntarily hospitalized individuals develop, gather, or verify information to defend involuntarily hospitalized individuals and those facing involuntarily outpatient commitment. The Public Defender Investigator III interviews clients to obtain information regarding their medical and legal history, to develop leads, and to about their medical and legal history, develop leads, and gather information and evidence for the defense’s case. Written reports may need to be created as a result of the investigation. The investigation may require written reports. There will be frequent daily contact with witnesses, family members, associates of the client, and medical, social service, and law enforcement personnel to obtain and verify information for the client’s case. Appearance in court as a witness may also be required. Additional responsibilities can include researching and interviewing clients, social workers, medical personnel, counselors, and housing providers; entering case information and data in the office’s case management system; reviewing discovery, including watching and documenting body-worn camera footage and video surveillance; and serving and filing subpoenas. Employees in these classifications do not supervise.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
One year of experience investigating alleged criminal offenses for the purpose of developing and documenting factual information to be used in criminal trials or one year of experience interviewing patients for the purpose of obtaining and documenting factual information concerning medical history or any combination of these types of experience equaling one year.
Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment.
Access to a motor vehicle or ability to navigate public transportation.
Ability to communicate with clients and visitors.
Ability to complete tasks in a fast-paced work environment.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of civil or administrative court procedures.
Experience working with mentally ill individuals, detained or incarcerated persons, attorneys, or medical professionals.
Strong interest in working with individuals with mental disabilities.
Experience testifying in court.

Responsibilities

Conducts investigations in cases involving involuntary commitment to psychiatric hospitals or involuntary outpatient commitment.
Conducts investigations that involve significant client contact with indigent clients who have serious mental illnesses, their family members, and various mental health clinicians.
Performs field investigations and subpoena services at multiple locations, including private residences, places of employment, hospitals, police departments, outpatient mental health treatment facilities, and residential treatment facilities.
Travels to locate and interview clients and witnesses.
Conducts interviews in psychiatric hospitals, local jails, or prisons.
Communicates with employees and vendors.
Completes tasks in a fast-paced work environment.
Multitasks and travels to various courtrooms, hospitals, police departments, and office environments throughout the state.
Researches and interviews clients, social workers, medical personnel, counselors, and housing providers.
Enters case information and data in the office’s case management system.
Reviews discovery, including watching and documenting body-worn camera footage and video surveillance.
Serves and files subpoenas.