CHIEF PUBLIC DEFENDER INVESTIGATOR

Job Details

Under direction, in the Office of the Public Defender, responsible for overseeing and managing the operations and staff of the Investigations Division within the Public Defender’s Office. This includes supervising investigative work, handling complex or sensitive cases, and coordinating with law enforcement and legal agencies. The role involves both administrative oversight and direct involvement in high-level investigations.

As this is a continuous recruitment, applications will be reviewed within 15 days of submission.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Associates degree or equivalent from a two-year college in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, or a related field.

AND

Four (4) years of full-time advanced professional criminal investigation work experience, preferably including at least two (2) years in a supervisory or management capacity.
Additional directly related experience and/or education may be substituted.

Licensing and Certification:

Valid Driver's License

General Recruitment Information

The information presented in job postings, job descriptions, or recruitment materials does not form a legally binding contract, either explicit or implicit. Benefits may differ among different employee groups. The details provided in these materials are subject to change or cancellation without prior notification. Prospective employees of the County of Lake must undergo the County's pre-employment medical review program upon receiving a conditional job offer before assuming their position with the County.

Applicants may substitute relevant experience and/or education at a 2 to 1 ratio to fulfill minimum qualifications. For further details, individuals should reach out to the Human Resources department.

ADA Accommodations

Individuals in need of accommodation during the application and/or selection process under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should reach out to County of Lake Human Resources at (707) 263-2213.

The County is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action Employer

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CHIEF PUBLIC DEFENDER INVESTIGATOR
DEFINITION
Under direction, in the Office of the Public Defender, responsible for overseeing and managing the operations and staff of the Investigations Division within the Public Defender’s Office. This includes supervising investigative work, handling complex or sensitive cases, and coordinating with law enforcement and legal agencies. The role involves both administrative oversight and direct involvement in high-level investigations.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This management position oversees staff and daily operations within the Public Defender’s Investigations Division while also handling complex and sensitive cases. It differs from lower-level roles by its leadership responsibilities and depth of investigative work.
This is not a remote position; Investigators are expected to remain in the office unless conducting their duties of investigation. Investigators must be accessible in person to meet and confer with lawyers and clients at the office.
The incumbent in this management position serves at the pleasure of his/her appointing authority, which means the employment relationship is at-will, and that the County of Lake or the employee may terminate the relationship at any time, with or without cause

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Works under the direction of the Chief Public Defender. Provides direct supervision to assigned investigative staff and may oversee junior investigators while collaborating with attorneys on case preparation.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Plan, organize, and supervise the operations and personnel of the Investigations Division.
• Develop and implement policies, procedures, and strategies to improve efficiency and meet goals.
• Conduct complex criminal and civil investigations, including interviews, surveillance, evidence collection, and preparing court documents.
• Analyze case materials, prepare subpoenas, and assist with trial preparation.
• Testify in court and provide expert testimony when needed.
• Collaborate with attorneys, law enforcement, and other agencies to gather and share information.
• Review and assess work produced by investigative staff, provide feedback, and train staff.
• Maintain division budget, attend staff meetings, and ensure compliance with laws and regulations.
• Required to work weekends, on-call, or outside of normal work schedule.
• Conduct investigations for juvenile cases and assess family and environmental factors.
• Maintain professional development through ongoing training and education.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Investigative procedures, interview techniques, and criminal law principles.
• Confidentiality, ethical obligations, and legal rights in the judicial process.
• Rules of evidence, preservation, and presentation of evidence.
• Civil and criminal law, including legal rights and court procedures.
• Recordkeeping, reporting, and documentation for criminal investigations.
• Sources for locating individuals and methods for fraud investigations.
• Administrative practices, including budget management and staff supervision.
• Local, state, and federal ordinances, laws, and law enforcement policies.
• Criminal justice system structure, including the Public Defender's role.
• Research methods, statistical analysis, and report preparation.
• Computer software applications and hardware used in investigative work.
• Safety practices and techniques related to investigative work.

Ability to:

• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Strong judgment and decision-making skills in investigative analysis.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with staff, agencies, and the public.
• Capability to perform physical tasks such as collecting evidence, executing search warrants, and tracking witnesses.
• Strong investigative skills, including gathering, analyzing, and evaluating facts and evidence.
• Ability to prepare accurate reports and make sound recommendations.
• Effective communication skills, including interviewing, interrogation, and court testimony.
• Organizational skills to manage caseloads, adjust to workload changes, and meet deadlines under pressure.
• Supervisory skills to train, guide, and evaluate staff performance.
• Knowledge of legal codes, regulations, and the application of laws in investigations.
• Ability to apply law enforcement techniques and work with physical evidence.
• Proficient in planning, organizing, and evaluating staff and operations.
• Research, compiling, and summarizing data for investigative purposes.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and effective communication, both orally and in writing.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Experience:
Associates degree or equivalent from a two-year college in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, or a related field.
AND
Four (4) years of full-time advanced professional criminal investigation work experience, preferably including at least two (2) years in a supervisory or management capacity.

Additional directly related experience and/or education may be substituted.

Licensing and Certification:
Valid Driver's License

WORKING CONDITIONS, ADA, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS The County of Lake is an equal opportunity employer and will comply with its obligations under the law to provide equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Incumbents generally work in a typical office environment with adequate light and temperature. There may be occasional exposure?to?extreme temperatures, loud noise, fumes, noxious odors, dust, mist, gases, and poor ventilation; underground, confined, or restricted?workspaces; and heights more than five stories above ground level.?
Incumbents may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures. Employees may need to visit crime scenes or accompany law enforcement personnel on assignment and may need to visit jails, hospitals or other mental health facilities for the purpose of interviewing victims, witnesses, accused or incarcerated individuals.
Incumbents may be required to work weekends, on-call, or outside of normal work schedule. Positions in this class may require local, statewide, and out of state travel as necessary.

Positions in this class typically require: sitting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.
Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Light Work: Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work.
Positions in this class may require local and statewide travel as necessary.

A successful candidate will be required to submit to and pass a background check prior to the appointment. Depending upon the position and/or assigned department, the background check may include but is not limited to civil and criminal history check, reference check, Live Scan, and/or credit check (as allowed under state law).

Disaster Service Workers: As members of the County of Lake Emergency Services Organization, all Lake County employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to perform certain emergency services at the direction of the department and / or County.
The contents of this class specification shall not be construed to constitute any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee, nor shall it constitute a contract of employment. The County of Lake assumes no responsibility beyond the general accuracy of the document, nor does it assume responsibility for any errors or omissions in the information contained herein. The contents of this specification may be modified or revoked without notice. Terms and conditions of employment are determined through a “meet and confer” process and are subject to the Memorandum of Understanding currently in effect.

RETIREMENT - County employees are members of the California Public Employee Retirement system (CalPERS).CalPERS provides a defined benefit pension at retirement for County employees.The pension formulas and employee contribution amounts may vary by bargaining unit, date of hire, prior qualifying service, and classification. Please contact Human Resources for more information.

HEALTH AND INSURANCE BENEFITS - Medical, dental, hospital, vision, life and disability coverage is available to employees and their dependents. The County contributes $1,500 of the monthly premiums for the insurance plan options.

VACATION ACCRUAL may be adjusted for current city or county government employees.

VACATION - 80 hours per year during the first five years of service, 120 hours per year after five years, and additional accruals based on years of service beyond fifteen years. Pro-rated for part-time employees.

SICK LEAVE - Accrues at a rate of 96 hours per year. Pro-rated for part-time employees.

HOLIDAYS- An average of twelve paid 8-hour holidays per year. Pro-rated for part-time employees.

SALARY - Lake County has an adopted salary schedule. The salary range for most classifications is in five increments with a provision for longevity increases. Appointments are normally made at the first step of the salary range.

SOCIAL SECURITY - County employees participate in Social Security.

CALIFORNIA STATE DISABILITY INSURANCE - SDI is available to some County employees.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS and CREDIT UNION MEMBERSHIPS are available to County employees.

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

• 

• County of Lake

• 707-263-2213

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