Under direction, performs complex investigative work in 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 is the advanced journey level class in the Public Defender Investigator series. Incumbents of this class handle the more difficult and sensitive investigations with considerable independence and may serve as a lead to subordinate investigators. This class is distinguished from Chief Public Defender Investigator in that the latter is responsible for the daily supervision and administration of the Investigative Division of the Public Defender’s Office. It is distinguished from Public Defender Investigator I in that the former is responsible for the most complex investigations.
TYPICAL DUTIES
Personally conducts the more difficult or sensitive investigations.
Investigates civil and criminal cases involving clients; interviews or interrogates clients, witnesses, law enforcement officers, and other persons who may provide pertinent information, evaluates information; determines financial responsibility and eligibility of court-appointed clients for Public Defender services.
Secures written statements, depositions, and other pertinent case material; examines various records and documents to secure information concerning alleged crimes or civil wrongs.
Visits scenes of alleged crimes to ascertain and evaluate physical, material, and environmental factors relevant to case investigations; secures evidence; takes photos and makes videotapes and recordings as required.
Investigates cases referred to Public Defender by the Juvenile Court involving delinquent, dependent, and neglected children and obtains information regarding home conditions such as family composition, personality of parents, and family finances; investigates conservatorship and guardianships.
May perform surveillance in divorce or custody cases; may investigate personal injury actions, or perform other services of a civil nature wherein the Public Defender’s Office is required to act under Government Code Section 27706 (c), (d), or (g).
Presents findings and evaluations to the Chief Public Defender Investigator, Public Defender or appointees; appears in court as witness; prepares reports and correspondence.
Maintains liaison between Public Defender’s Office and clients, and with other governmental agencies.
Serves subpoenas, summaries, and other legal documents.
May serve in a lead capacity and provide technical training of less experienced investigative staff and/or less complex investigations.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
PATTERN I
Experience: One year of experience as a Public Defender Investigator I in San Joaquin County service.
OR PATTERN II
Experience: Four years of experience in a criminal justice agency, including two years of criminal investigation in an investigative capacity at a level equivalent to San Joaquin County’s Public Defender Investigator I. Qualifying investigative experience includes investigation in a police or sheriff’s department, public defender’s office, district attorney’s office, probation department, welfare fraud unit, or private investigation.
AND FOR BOTH PATTERNS
License: Possession of a valid California driver’s license.
KNOWLEDGE
Investigation techniques and procedures; rules of evidence, legal basis for complaints, and court procedures; applicable state, federal, and local codes, laws and ordinances, including State Narcotic Laws, Penal Code, Health and Safety Code, Probate Code and Welfare and Institutions Code.
ABILITY
Gather and evaluate facts and evidence; draw logical conclusions and take appropriate action, secure necessary information through interviews and interrogations; 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; carry out special and general assignments independently; work effectively with others.
PHYSICAL/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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