County of Monterey · 1 week ago
Public Defender Investigator I
Salinas, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Entry Level
$35.85/hr - $48.94/hr
2+ years expThe County of Monterey is dedicated to providing legal representation to indigent persons charged with crimes in Monterey County. They are seeking a Public Defender Investigator I to conduct investigations of misdemeanor and felony cases, evaluate evidence, and assist attorneys in preparing defense strategies.
CommunitiesGovernmentPublic RelationsService Industry
No H1B
Responsibilities
Participates in routine investigations of misdemeanor and felony cases
Evaluates various types of evidence and advises attorneys in investigative procedures and techniques, physical evidence matters, and information sources
Assists attorneys in the preparation and presentation of defense evidence and testimony
Locates and interviews defendants, complainants, and witnesses; interviews police and other public agencies, and others who may have official or professional information relevant to a legal defense. Confers with the attorneys on the reliability and credibility of witnesses; helps prepare witnesses’ testimony
Locates and serves subpoenas for court appearances of defense witnesses
Makes arrangements or transports witnesses to and from court or to court-ordered programs; arranges travel and lodging needs for out-of-county witnesses; attends to appropriate witness fee payments
Locates, obtains, evaluates, and preserves documentary evidence from a variety of sources
Prepares and provides oral and written reports and correspondence regarding investigation performed, contacts made, physical evidence found, which includes statements, scene descriptions, and analysis of physical evidence
Gathers, marks, records, and preserves physical evidence; determines the importance and relevance of the evidence in investigations
Operates and maintains a variety of photographic, tape, graphic, and projection equipment. Photographs crime scenes, clients’ injuries for use as evidence in cases, and prepares photographic line-ups for witness review
Searches computer resources
May testify in court regarding investigations and the evidence obtained
Qualification
Required
Possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver license or the ability to arrange necessary and timely transportation for field travel
Be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and during times of disaster and/or emergency; travel out of County to attend meetings
Two years of experience performing duties requiring interviewing, researching and report writing
Successful completion of three college level courses which stressed independently gathering and analyzing data, using both oral interview and library research methods and writing reports using data gathered
Some Knowledge Of principles, methods, and techniques of criminal investigations, including gathering, preserving, and presenting evidence, basic identification techniques, and methods of operation
Some Knowledge Of laboratory procedures, methods, and uses of scientific investigative equipment and analysis incident to the investigation of crimes
Some Knowledge Of criminal law, including the laws of arrest, search and seizure, subpoena service, rules of evidence, rules and regulations regarding juveniles, laws, regulations, and procedures regarding conservatorship, custody, and mental health proceedings, and courtroom procedures in felony, misdemeanor, and juvenile court or jury trial matters
Some Knowledge Of basic psychological principles, interviewing techniques, and interrogating witnesses of varied socio-economic and cultural backgrounds, and mentally deficient clients
Some Knowledge Of current technology and trends in the profession
Some Knowledge Of telephone, office, and online etiquette
Some Knowledge Of location of and means to obtain information, evidence, records, and reports, including the use of skip tracing techniques
Some Knowledge Of techniques employed in diagramming and making demonstrative evidence to be presented in court
Skill And Ability To gather, assemble, analyze, and evaluate facts and evidence to draw logical conclusions and to formulate sound recommendations. Be objective in fact finding
Skill And Ability To determine priorities and importance of various types of evidence
Skill And Ability To effectively communicate in oral and written form by preparing, reviewing, and evaluating comprehensive reports on investigations
Skill And Ability To obtain information through interviews
Skill And Ability To work effectively under decreasing supervision, over time
Skill And Ability To communicate clearly, concisely, calmly, respectfully, effectively, and diplomatically in dealing with clients, management, other employees, subordinates, professionals from other agencies, and the public from diverse cultures and backgrounds
Skill And Ability To maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for making observations, communicating with others, and reading and writing
Skill And Ability To maintain mental capacity, which allows the ability of making sound decisions and demonstrating intellectual capabilities
Skill And Ability To exercise good judgment and tact in dealing with sensitive cases
Skill And Ability To develop demonstrative evidence for use in court, such as diagrams, charts, and photographs
Skill And Ability To testify in court in a direct, clear, and concise manner
Skill And Ability To read and comprehend legal material
Skill And Ability To deal effectively with various levels of government, law enforcement agencies, judicial groups, and individuals
Skill And Ability To recognize potentially hostile situations; adapt to many different environments; function calmly in situations which require a high degree of sensitivity, tact, and diplomacy
Skill And Ability To provide prompt, efficient, and responsive service to management, the attorneys, and/or the clients
Skill And Ability To exercise appropriate judgment in answering questions and releasing information; analyze and project consequences of decisions and/or recommendations
Skill And Ability To establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other criminal justice agencies, courts, and the public
Skill And Ability To use laptop and personal computers, word processing programs, and access the internet; learn computer programs and databases; use computer presentation software
Skill And Ability To use film and digital photographic equipment; use measuring devices; draw diagrams to scale; operate various scientific investigation equipment
Preferred
Possess a California Private Investigator license
Spanish language communication, both oral and written
Benefits
The County of Monterey offers an excellent benefits package.
Company
County of Monterey
Monterey County's Mission The Mission of Monterey County is to Excel at providing Quality Services for the benefit of all Monterey County residents while developing, maintaining, and enhancing the resources of the area.
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Alex Zheng
Deputy CIO
Eric Chatham
Chief Information Officer
Recent News
2025-10-29
2025-05-16
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