8142-Public Defender's Investigator

City and County of San Francisco • San Francisco, CA

9d

About The Position

Public Defender’s Investigator (8142)- Public Defender’s Office This is a Position-Based Test (PBT) conducted in accordance with CSC Rule 111A. Learn more about the City’s hiring process here: https://careers.sf.gov/knowledge/process/ Appointment Type: Permanent Civil Service (PCS) Application Opening: January 21, 2026 Application Deadline: This job ad will close at 11:45 PM (PST) on February 4, 2026. Applications must be submitted by 11:45 PM (PST) on February 4, 2026. Salary Range: $113,282-$137,696/Annually Recruitment ID: RTF0158378-01094672 ✅ To apply please complete the two steps below: Complete the required Minimum Qualification Supplemental Questionnaire (MQSQ) at HERE AND 2. Complete and submit an online application by clicking the "Apply Now" button IMPORTANT: In addition to your online application submission on SmartRecruiters, you MUST also complete the Minimum Qualification Supplemental Questionnaire (MQSQ). Note: Your application will not be reviewed without a completed MQSQ. The San Francisco Public Defender’s Office provides high-quality legal representation to individuals who cannot afford an attorney and face prosecution for criminal offenses in San Francisco. Each year, we advocate for approximately 20,000 people, ensuring that every client is treated with dignity, respect, and humanity throughout the legal process. Recognized nationally as a model of public defense, our office is committed to excellence, innovation, and social justice. We provide comprehensive legal services across all areas of criminal defense, including Misdemeanor and Felony courts (preliminary hearings and trials), Mental Health and Youth Defender divisions, Community Justice Center, Immigration, Behavioral Health Court, Veterans’ Justice Court, Drug Court, Parole Court, Young Adult Court, Extradition, Clean Slate and Post-Conviction services. The Public Defender’s Office works beyond the courtroom to confront systemic inequities and advocate for clients, families, and communities to build power, exercise self-determination, and rebuild their lives. Note: Public Defender’s Investigator may specialize in one of the functional areas described below or perform duties in multiple areas. Investigation Mental Health Immigration Youth Defender Job Description Appointment Type: Permanent Civil Service (PCS) Please note that incumbents in this classification may be required to perform duties as listed in the class specification, which can be found on DHR’s website: https://careers.sf.gov/classifications/ Under supervision, this 8142 Public Defender’s Investigator position in the Public Defender’s Office is responsible for conducting comprehensive investigations to support the legal defense of Public Defender clients, including but not limited to those facing misdemeanor and felony charges in the adult and/or juvenile criminal legal systems, immigration, mental health, and post-conviction units.

Requirements

• One (1) year (2,000 hours) of verifiable experience as a Public Defender’s Investigator, a licensed private investigator, or experience performing investigative work in a professional field, such as law, social justice, media/journalism, public health/welfare, human/civil rights, education, social sciences, public policy, or non-profit work; OR Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
• License and Certification: Possession of a valid CA driver’s license.
• Substitution: One (1) year (2,000 hours) of verifiable investigator training may substitute for the one (1) year of required experience.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual Spanish or Cantonese speaking.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills.
• Proven experience advocating on behalf of individuals in the adult or juvenile criminal justice system, demonstrating deep understanding of legal processes and client needs.
• Prior experience working as a defense team member supporting immigration, mental health, and/or post-conviction work.
• Strong problem-solving skills and initiative, with the ability to work independently and develop proactive solutions.
• Collaborative and supportive team player with a clear vision, passion, and unwavering commitment to social justice.
• Maintains high standards of personal and professional ethics, exercising sound judgment and ensuring integrity in all actions and decisions.
• Energetic, creative, and solution-focused, bringing innovative approaches to complex issues.
• Dedicated to treating clients with empathy and respect, building trust and rapport with individuals from diverse backgrounds, and creating a safe, open environment that encourages honest communication.
• Works collaboratively to foster a positive and supportive environment and treats colleagues with respect and professionalism.
• Committed to continuous improvement and delivering exceptional client service, while striving for excellence in all aspects of work.
• Calm and resilient under pressure, consistently maintaining professionalism and a positive outlook.

Responsibilities

• Client Meetings: In preparation for their defense, meet with individuals in the community, county jail, juvenile hall, state and local hospitals, and/or other applicable detention facilities. Maintain strict confidentiality and uphold duty of loyalty to the client in all aspects of representation.
• Case Preparation and Investigation: Perform in-depth investigations across a wide range of criminal and juvenile cases, immigration, mental health and/or post-conviction cases. Review case files, documents, electronic recordings, and all evidence to assist the attorney prepare for hearings and identify key information and inconsistencies. Obtain needed records for potential use at hearings and trials. Research and obtain relevant information to support the defense of the client. Perform administrative tasks, as needed.
• Field Work: Visit crime scenes, develop leads, secure surveillance footage, retrieve video evidence from security cameras, and establish sources of information. Locate and interview witnesses, crime victims, law enforcement personnel, medical professionals, mental health professionals, community advocates, and family members, to gather information needed for the defense. Transport witnesses and clients to/from court and other locations, as needed. Serve subpoenas.
• Trial & Litigation Support: Collect and evaluate physical and material evidence; take photographs and measurements; conduct background checks. Collaborate with attorneys to meet clients, review evidence and develop case strategy. Assist in preparation for immigration hearings, post-conviction matters and/or civil hearings for clients with mental health challenges, ensuring their rights and interests are protected. Testify in court regarding interviews conducted, investigative findings, evidence integrity and other matters, as needed. Provide support at court hearings and trials, as needed.
• Documentation & Reporting: Maintain detailed records of investigation activities. Draft comprehensive investigative reports for attorney review and potential use in court. Draft other relevant reports for the case, as requested by the attorney.
• Additional Duties: Perform related duties as required.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees