Under general supervision, assists in the investigation of civil and criminal matters referred to the Public Defender's Office; and does related or other work as required in accordance with Rule 3, Section 3 of the Civil Service Rules.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This class is the first level in the Public Defender Investigator series. An employee in this class performs initial and routine investigative work in the office of the Public Defender and provides support to attorney staff in preparing civil and criminal cases.
TYPICAL DUTIES
Interviews and prepares initial statements from clients and witnesses concerning crimes and civil wrongs.
Locates and interviews clients and witnesses and other persons who may provide pertinent information.
Visits crime scenes to observe and collect evidence and material in conjunction with environmental factors relevant to case preparation. Takes photos, video recordings and measurements.
Serves subpoenas, summonses, and other legal documents.
Confers with attorneys and investigators regarding evidence and facts; may participate in investigations.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
EITHER PATTERN I
Education: Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four year college or university with a major in administration of justice, the social or behavioral sciences, criminology, pre-law, or related fields.
OR PATTERN II
Education: Possession of an Associate‘s degree from an accredited college with an emphasis in liberal arts, criminology, social science or related fields, or completion of 60 semester units of equivalent course work.
Experience: Two years experience interviewing and counseling clients; researching and determining program eligibility and managing a caseload; interpreting and applying program rules and regulations in a social welfare or public or private public safety organization.
Substitution: Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the education on a year-for-year basis.
AND FOR BOTH PATTERNS
License: Possession of a valid California driver's license.
KNOWLEDGE
Basic interviewing techniques: human behavior; sources of information used in locating persons; general legal procedures and terminology relating to criminal and civil investigations.
ABILITY
Gather and evaluate facts and evidence, draw logical conclusions and take appropriate action, secure necessary information through interview and interrogation; interact and communicate well with persons of diverse ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, and with persons from all sectors of the criminal justice system; act as witness in legal proceedings; work effectively with others.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Physical and Mental Requirements: Mobility - Frequent operation of keyboards, sitting for extended periods, standing for long periods, walking, driving and climbing stairs; occasional pushing/pulling, bending/squatting, climbing stairs or other objects and crawling; Lifting –frequently 5 pounds or less; occasionally 5 – 30 pounds; Vision – Good overall vision; frequent reading and close-up work, hand and eye coordination, color/depth perception; Dexterity –normal dexterity with frequent writing, holding and repetitive motion; occasional reaching and grasping; Hearing/Talking – Constant hearing/talking on the telephone/radio and in person; Emotional/psychological – Constant concentration, public contact and decision making; frequent time spent working alone; Special conditions – may be exposed to dust and varied outdoor conditions; may require occasional overtime, weekend or evening work, to include long hours at odd times of the day or night.
San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
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