Special Investigator I/II Job at Stanislaus County
About the Opportunity
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
The Stanislaus County Public Defender's Office fights mass incarceration by providing zealous representation to low-income people facing criminal charges. The Public Defender seeks to serve the whole client, addressing needs that contribute to criminal legal involvement or that arise from contact with the legal system. The office is client-centered in its representation, recognizing that all clients deserve autonomy, dignity, and respect throughout their experience with the justice system. The Special Investigator I/II will join a team of over 45 attorneys, investigators, paralegals, and other staff dedicated to keeping people free and preserving their future despite the criminal charges they may be facing.
To learn more about the Office of the Public Defender, click here.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The Public Defender is looking for tenacious and serious candidates who are comfortable working in a team dynamic and who have experience working in a diverse, dynamic, and multi-cultural environment. These candidates have the ability to work independently, analyze and problem-solve within ethical guidelines, prepare high quality investigative reports, and maintain time logs.
THE POSITION
The Public Defender Special Investigator I performs technical investigative assignments, assists in trial preparation, and locates and obtains statements from subjects involved in matters submitted to the Public Defender's Office. A considerable amount of fieldwork is involved. This person investigates assigned cases, interviews clients and witnesses, and takes statements. Analyzes, evaluates and organizes information, prepares detailed reports, and maintains appropriate records. This position also appears in court as a witness. Special Investigators are subject to assignments after normal hours and on weekends, overtime, standby, and callback assignments. Some investigations require occasional out-of-area travel. Works under close supervision and performs related duties as assigned. The Special Investigator II is more experienced than the Level I and works with greater independence in the performance of full range investigations.
Unless otherwise provided, this position is part of the Classified Service of the County and is assigned to the Community & Health Services bargaining unit for labor relations purposes.
Individuals who are in a full-time classification position are required to serve a twelve-month probationary period, which may be extended an additional six months, for a total of eighteen months.
Incumbents may also be subject to overtime, standby, callback, weekend, holiday and shift assignments as identified in their MOU (Memorandum of Understanding).
The Job Task Analysis provides information detailing the physical and functional demands of the classification. For the complete job task analysis, visit the Risk Management website at http://www.stancounty.com/riskmgmt/ under the "Disability" tab.
Typical Tasks
- Plan, direct and perform criminal investigative work by gathering, assembling, preserving and reporting facts, statements, and other evidence;
- Locate and interview clients and witnesses;
- Analyze and evaluate witnesses statements;
- Examine a variety of records to secure information;
- Write detailed reports with significant data in summary form for submission to the Deputy Public Defenders for possible use in court;
- Use and maintain surveillance devices, photographic and video-recording equipment;
- Testify in court;
- Represent the department in the community;
- Utilize Windows-based computer system for daily processing;
- Prepare Crime Scene Diagrams;
- Give training to others in the department;
- Maintain and adhere to strict confidentiality policies;
- Be responsive to the needs and concerns of the department staff; and
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education/Experience)
SKILLS/ABILITIES
- Communicate complex information both orally and in writing in a manner that is understandable to others;
- Interview, analyze, evaluate and document witnesses statements;
- Deal effectively with staff, citizens and law enforcement agencies under conditions requiring integrity, initiative, resourcefulness, tact, and good judgment;
- Work irregular hours and overtime in various locations;
- Recall detail, remember names, faces and incidents, and be thorough and observant;
- Analyze situations accurately, think and act quickly in situations and adopt an effective course of action;
- Interpret and apply oral or written material and/or instructions;
- Gather, document information and evidence by observation and analyze investigation data;
- Remain alert and coherent;
- Work with and control sensitive and confidential information;
- Write detailed, clear and accurate correspondence and reports;
- Work effectively in a close environment as a productive team member;
- Utilize computers for research, report writing and record keeping;
- Work under pressure, and
- Diffuse and calm witnesses and clients in an emotionally charged and potentially violent atmosphere.
KNOWLEDGE
- Interviewing techniques;
- Report writing;
- Record keeping;
- Criminal investigation techniques and procedures;
- Principles of identification, preservation and presentation of evidence;
- Law enforcement procedures;
- Criminal law, evidence handling, and court procedures;
- Basic computer operation and applications, and
- Basic and assertive communication skills.
We recognize your time is valuable, please only apply if you meet the following required qualifications.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
PATTERN I
- Associate of Arts degree with a minimum of 12 semester units of college level coursework in Criminal Justice (or equivalent); AND
- Two (2) years of investigative experience that includes interviewing clients, writing detailed case reports and preparing or presenting evidence or information in court.
PATTERN II
- Bachelor's of Arts degree in Social Science, Political Science, Criminal Justice or a closely related field; AND
- One (1) year of investigative experience that includes interviewing clients, writing detailed case reports and preparing or presenting evidence or information in court.
Proof of education is
required for verification purposes at the time of application. Applicants who are unable to submit proof must call 209-525-6341 to make other arrangements before 5 pm on the final filing date. Failure to submit proof or make other arrangements before the final filing deadline will result in disqualification.
LICENSE
- Applicants must possess and maintain a valid California Driver's License and remain free from repeated preventable accidents.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
In addition to the minimum qualifications, applicant screening will focus on the following desirable qualifications. Please list any of these qualifications you may have within the "Duties" section of the online application.
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Possession of a valid POST Basic or Special Investigator Basic Certificate.
Application and Selection Procedures
APPLICATION PROCEDURES/FINAL FILING DATE
Applications cannot be submitted later than 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date. Make your online application as complete as possible so a full and realistic appraisal may be made of your qualifications.
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.
Attaching your resume and cover letter are an optional feature for those who wish to do so in addition to completing the required application. Information on your resume and cover letter will not substitute for the education, work experience and required fields on the County application. The online County application is the primary tool used to evaluate your job qualifications.
EXAMINATION PROCESS
Most County recruitments consists of the steps detailed below and are governed by Merit Principles. The examination process ensures that all applicants are given the same opportunity to gain employment within Stanislaus County.
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Application Review and Screening. Applications are carefully screened based on information provided. Those who submit incomplete applications that lack relevant qualifications or do not submit all required documents will not be invited to move on. -
Oral Examination. Applicants are invited to a panel interview in which they will be evaluated by County subject matter experts.
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Eligible Lists. Candidates who pass the examination will be placed on an eligible list for that classification. Eligible lists are effective for six months, but may be extended up to eighteen months.
TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Application Deadline:
December 16, 2022
Oral Examination:
Tentatively the week of December 26, 2022
Note: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, part-time and full-time vacancies throughout Stanislaus County.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Final appointment will be conditional upon successfully passing a County paid pre-employment drug screening (if applicable for position) and a job-related background investigation.
Some positions may require possession or the ability to obtain, and maintenance of a valid California Driver's license or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job related essential functions.
Stanislaus County supports the good health of its workforce. More information is available at
http://myclubwellness.org
Cell phones are typically incompatible with the online application format or browser. We recommend using a desktop or laptop computer. If you are still having technical difficulties, please call NEOGOV at 1-855-524-5627.
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