Public Defense Investigator
Public Defense Investigator
Posted on :
05-04-2025
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1 Vacancy
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Job Description
Summary
- The department reserves the right to close this position and/or make updates to the position description below as deemed necessary.
King County Department of Public Defense (DPD) is seeking interested applicants for Career Service vacancies as Public Defense Investigatorsin any of our four divisions.
This recruitment may be used to establish an eligibility pool for Career Service opportunities that may occur over the next six 6 months.King Countys Department of Public Defense is looking to fill one or more Public Defense Investigator positions. The ideal candidate will be able to exercise good independent judgment and apply office guidelines legal procedures work methods court rules and applicable laws. This role does not necessarily require a legal or criminal justice background though experience with the criminal legal system is helpful. We seek compassionate motivated individuals ready to help clients in their cases.
Public Defense Investigators assist attorneys in developing defense strategies by providing excellent trialrelated investigative work. They review surveillance footage and video from police officers bodyworn cameras examine discovery materials conduct crime scene analyses identify and interview potential witnesses and moreall with an eye towards supporting the best possible legal outcome for clients. Theyre a key member of the defense team and play an integral role in achieving the clients stated goal. The successful candidate is dedicated to our collective mission to defend the most vulnerable and marginalized members of our community.
We value diversity and aim for our team to reflect thecommunitiesthat our clients call home.
WHY JOIN DPD
The King County Department of Public Defense (DPD) provides high quality legal representation to indigent clients in felonies misdemeanors juvenile defense family defense (dependency cases) involuntary commitment (mental illness) and sex offender commitment proceedings.
As an organization we work with the community:- To dismantle the systems that oppress our clients.
- To make the traditional systems that remain as restorative as possible.
- To advocate for pathways that will allow our clients to succeed.
We also advocate to reduce the harm and reach of the criminal legal system and civil legal systems that restrict our clients liberties and to address systemic racism. We strive to create a flexible workplace culture that is inclusive respectful and supportive premised on a shared antioppression framework. To learn more about DPD visit ourwebsite. Job Duties
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES include but are not limited to the following:
- Have the ability to work onsite as well as report to various locations including court jail facilities etc. throughout the county.
- Have the ability to work 40 hours a week with occasional overtime as needed.
- Uses professional communication skills and demonstrates empathy with DPDs clientsand the communityto includeadults teens and children many of whom suffer from trauma and/or mental illness via the phone and inperson.
- Assist attorneys in analyzing cases from a defense perspective. This may include examination of discovery materials or other information to determine areas in which more factual information is needed.
- Conduct crime scene analysis and examination of other physical locations or objects to identify evidence that will assist in preparing the defense. This may include taking photographs and preparing diagrams maps charts and scale drawings to be exhibited in court. Communicate findings to attorneys.
- Identify and locate known or potential witnesses; assist attorneys in identifying appropriate expert witnesses.
- Conduct indepth often inperson interviews with victims witnesses police personnel medical personnel clients and others; develop and prioritize questions in order to obtain necessary information related to the case.
- Prepare comprehensive written summaries of interviews and other investigative findings document contacts.
- Obtain and review reports records and other information.
- Identify and obtain potentially useful information through Public Records Act requests. This may include but is not limited to address verification education and employment records military records medical records and private records.
- Identify and capture digital and social media information including but not limited to web search histories messaging and email history profile information industry records government agency records and criminal records of state and defense witnesses.
- Prepare process and serve subpoenas on individuals and organizations.
- Organize investigative case files; maintain and update time logs and calendar of due dates and court dates; confer with attorneys regarding investigation status.
- Provide trial assistance by communicating trial schedule to witnesses responding to lastminute investigation requests and testifying as necessary.
- Maintain current knowledge of related issues/standards in the legal environment.
- Attend and participate in unit and agency training and meetings as appropriate.
- Provide incourt testimony as deemed necessary by the assigned attorney to advance the defense case theory or discredit a witness.
- Other duties as assigned.
- The Department reserves the right to assign additional duties in support of DPDs mission.
Experience Qualifications Knowledge Skills
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Possess a bachelors degree and two years of demonstrated experience as a criminal defense investigator or equivalent defenseoriented investigative experience or education. In lieu of a BA degree applicants should have a combination of experience/education/training that provides the required knowledge skills and abilities to perform the work.
- Must have a Washington State Drivers License or ability to travel to required destinations around King County.
- Must be at least 21 years of age.
- Interview methods techniques and procedures including the ability to recognize factual discrepancies within discovery materials and take investigative followup.
- Criminal law the legal system and legal terminology.
- Working with individuals from diverse backgrounds to effectively serve vulnerable clients from all walks of life.
- Handling confidential information to safeguard client privacy and identity.
- Preparing detailed narrative reports correspondence and other written materials.
- Handling confidential information acquired during the course of an investigation.
- Identifying potential ethical issues and seeking advice when ethical issues arise or require clarification.
- Observing receiving and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Working independently setting priorities and meeting deadlines.
- Work and build trust with clients and people negatively affected by the criminal legal system.
Use effective communication listening and interview skills while accurately documenting interviews and meetings. - Respond to inquiries from clients staff members and court personnel and to testify effectively at trial sentencing or other hearings.
- Assess potentially dangerous situations and perform deescalation techniques to clients/witnesses/others as applicable in distress via phone and in person.
- Work efficiently and calmly under pressure.
- Use office productivity tools such as Microsoft Office 365 (Excel Word and Outlook) document management and Internet search engines cameras video equipment tape recorders and other relevant technology.
- Use mapping/diagramming software programs and be proficient at entering data efficiently and accurately.
- Search and analyze social networks and information databases.
- Demonstrate analytical organization and problemsolving skills.
- Have lived experience involving the criminal legal system.
- Fluency in a foreign language.
Supplemental Information
WHY KING COUNTY
At King County our work is guided by our True North and values. Our True North is what we aspire to: Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive.King County offers great benefits to include a pension plan holidays transit pass plus training and education opportunities to promote growth and development. Our focus is to provide our employees with work life balance.
ARE YOU READY TO APPLY
This opportunity to join DPD is open to all qualified applicants. Please apply atwww.kingcounty/careers.This recruitment 2025FF24173 will be used to fill Career Service positions. Placement may occur within any of our divisions. It will also be used to create an eligibility pool to fill additional Career Service vacancies that may occur over the next six months.
To be considered for this role submit the following items:- Completed King County application.
- A current resume.
- Cover letter detailing your background and what you can bring to the Department of Public Defense.
If you have questions please contact our Talent Advisors at.
WORK SCHEDULE AND LOCATION:
The typical workweek is 40 hours per week Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This position is nonexempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is eligible for overtime with supervisor approval. Placements may occur in Seattle or Kent.
In this role should expect to work both in the office and in the field while being required to report to other locations such as court or jail facilities. Onsite reporting requirements are determined by the departments operational needs and may be adjusted accordingly.
DPD maintains physical offices in the following locations:- Dexter Horton Building710 Second Avenue Seattle
- Jefferson Street Building 1401 East Jefferson Seattle
- Meeker Street Building 420 West Harrison Street Kent
Rotations of work location andpractice areaand/or workflow are an essential function and can occur based on business need.
DPD Policies
DPD Ethical Walls Policies and Procedureswill apply to employees such that if you work or have worked for one of DPDs divisions you may be ineligible to work in another division.
Outside Work Policy for Administrative Staffwill apply to employees such that you must receive approval from your supervisor and Managing Attorney before being permitted to engage in outside employment for compensation or volunteer.
Union Membership
Positions in this classification are recognized by Service Employees International Union Local 925.
ForbesrecentlynamedKingCountyasoneofWashingtonStatesbestemployers.
Together with leadership and our employees were changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a differenceComejointheteamdedicated to serving one of the nations best places to live work and play.
Guided by ourTrue North we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting support and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principleswe are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply including Native American and people of color immigrants refugees women LGBTQ people living with disabilities and veterans.
KingCountyisanEqualEmploymentOpportunity(EEO)Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race color religion national origin sex (including gender identity sexual orientation and pregnancy) age genetic information disability veteran status or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions including but not limited to recruitment hiring selection for training promotion transfer demotion layoff termination rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
ToApply
If you are interested in pursuing this position please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
SALARY AND BENEFITS:
In accordance with RCW 49.58.110 this salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidates current experience education skills and abilities related to the position. King County offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical dental vision flexible spending accounts life and disability insurance for employees and dependents; retirement and deferred compensation. For additional information please review the detailedsummaryofbenefitsoffered by King County.
Employment Type
Full-Time
Key Skills
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