Investigator

Job Opening: Investigator

Department: Public Defender

Posting Date: July 1, 2024

Salary: $47,884.20 Annually / $26.31 Hourly

Shift: Office hours 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, additional hours as necessary

Summary

The Delaware County Office of the Public Defender provides legal representation to the individuals facing a loss of freedom in the criminal, delinquency and mental health systems in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. The office employs over roughly 70 attorneys and staff to provide zealous advocacy for our clients. The office represents several thousand clients each year in the District Justice Courts, the Court of Common Pleas and the Appellate Courts of Pennsylvania.

Essential Duties

Under the general oversight of the Public Defender, First Assistant and relevant unit chief, an Investigator is responsible for working at the direction of the Defender legal team in criminal, delinquency and mental health proceedings to find relevant facts concerning those proceedings including, but not limited to:

Locates and interviews witnesses, victims and clients in a timely manner.

Delivers subpoenas to witnesses in a timely manner.

As directed by the attorney, conducts surveillance of both stationary and mobile subjects in a covert manner.

Prepares professional photographs, diagrams, maps and trial exhibits to facilitate improved understanding of a case.

Testifies in court concerning findings of investigations.

Develops leads and sources of information.

Performs assigned investigations and updates case management software in a timely manner.

Participates in case review meetings and maintaining frequent contact with attorneys regarding case activity.

Obtains, analyzes and disseminates pertinent records including court, medical, military, criminal, and psychological.

Reviews presentence reports, prepares appropriate support documents.

Maintains availability to other staff members for consultation and education; participates in training programs.

Completes special projects and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with a variety of people from divergent backgrounds in order to gain information helpful to the client.

Ability to deal effectively with people of widely divergent backgrounds, within and outside the office, and to relate empathetically to clients and their special needs.

Utilize services of interpreters as necessary to communicate with clients, witnesses and other persons related to the case.

Maintain confidentiality with highly sensitive information.

Ability to operate technology to search and retrieve information.

Ability to learn quickly and function efficiently under stressful and distracting conditions.

Able to multitask, prioritize, and manage time efficiently

Work independently as well as cooperatively in a legal services team atmosphere.

Demonstrated commitment to public service.

A strong work ethic and ability to manage a demanding workload.

Strong communication and relationship-building skills.

Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice or related filed preferred.

Spanish fluency preferred.

Delaware County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, membership in an employee organization, political affiliation, or status as a veteran in the recruitment, selection, or hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during the application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. EEO/AA

Contact

To apply, please fill out our online application form.