INVESTIGATOR, PUBLIC DEFENDER
Fulton County Government, Atlanta, GA, United States
Unclassified Position
Position is in the Office of the Public Defender.
Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's degree in criminology, criminal justice, or related field required; supplemented by three years of experience in law enforcement or other investigative fields; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities.
License / Certification Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia driver's license. POST certification is not required but will be considered.
Specific Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities Proficiency in the performance of essential functions, learning, comprehending, and applying all county or departmental policies, practices, and procedures. Knowledge of federal, state, and local criminal laws and statutes, court rules and procedures, and methods used in criminal investigations. Knowledge of the geography of metropolitan Atlanta. Interpersonal and communication skills to interview, interrogate, persuade, or otherwise interact during investigative work.
Purpose of Classification To perform professional investigative work for the Office of the Public Defender, supporting representation of indigent clients of Fulton County. Work involves providing support, resources, and security to assigned Assistant Public Defenders before, during, and after felony criminal, appellate, and juvenile cases. This classification is distinguished by the level of casework assigned and greater supervision, typically investigating routine felony and juvenile cases.
Essential Functions
Assist assigned Assistant Public Defenders in conducting investigations and preparing cases for hearings and trial: review case files, identify investigative tasks, draft and execute court orders for evidence; collect, secure, and analyze evidence, ensuring chain of custody; use investigative tools, resources, and programs to obtain necessary information; photograph or sketch crime scenes; assist with home evaluations; compile witness lists; consult with Assistant Public Defenders regarding defense; and testify in court.
Identify, locate, serve subpoenas, and ensure court appearances of clients, victims, and lay and professional witnesses involved in felony and juvenile cases; assist with interviewing and obtaining full cooperation; and serve as translator for attorneys.
Transport and provide security for attorneys, transport attorneys, clients, social workers, and witnesses as needed.
Provide assistance and advocacy to indigent clients: give information and updates regarding case status and court proceedings; provide referrals and information to assist clients.
Communicate and collaborate with various groups and agencies—including law enforcement, clients, victims, witnesses, families of clients and witnesses, judges, attorneys, court personnel, and the general public—to gather information, coordinate investigative efforts, and raise public awareness.
Prepare, gather, review, compile, and process a variety of documents related to investigative activities: incident reports, certified prior convictions, criminal histories, crime lab information, defendant, victim and witness statements; interview/interview footage; medical records; financial records; crime lab reports; draft investigative reports, case summaries, evidence requests, and related documents.
Stay abreast of criminal investigative techniques and practices, crime trends, and courtroom procedures; attend seminars and training courses; obtain various criminology certifications.
Operate or use various equipment, tools, and supplies to complete tasks: motor vehicles, cameras, radios, surveillance equipment, personal computer, word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, internet, e‑mail, and other software; operate general office or other equipment as necessary.
Additional Functions Perform other related duties as required.
Performance Aptitudes
Data Utilization : Review, classify, categorize, prioritize, and analyze data; exercise discretion in determining data classification; apply established standards.
Human Interaction : Work and apply principles of persuasion or influence to coordinate programs or activities and resolve problems.
Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization : Operate and control equipment, machinery, tools, or materials used in essential functions.
Verbal Aptitude : Utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, advisory, and design data and information.
Mathematical Aptitude : Perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, division; compute decimals and percentages, fractions; calculate discounts, interest, ratios, surface areas, volumes, weights, and measures.
Functional Reasoning : Apply principles of motivation, incentive, and leadership; exercise independent judgment for developing approaches and resolving problems.
Situational Reasoning : Exercise judgment, decisiveness, and creativity in situations evaluating information against subjective criteria.
It is the policy of Fulton County that there will be equal opportunity for every citizen, employee and applicant, based upon merit without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, genetics, age, disability or sexual orientation.
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Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's degree in criminology, criminal justice, or related field required; supplemented by three years of experience in law enforcement or other investigative fields; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities.
License / Certification Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia driver's license. POST certification is not required but will be considered.
Specific Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities Proficiency in the performance of essential functions, learning, comprehending, and applying all county or departmental policies, practices, and procedures. Knowledge of federal, state, and local criminal laws and statutes, court rules and procedures, and methods used in criminal investigations. Knowledge of the geography of metropolitan Atlanta. Interpersonal and communication skills to interview, interrogate, persuade, or otherwise interact during investigative work.
Purpose of Classification To perform professional investigative work for the Office of the Public Defender, supporting representation of indigent clients of Fulton County. Work involves providing support, resources, and security to assigned Assistant Public Defenders before, during, and after felony criminal, appellate, and juvenile cases. This classification is distinguished by the level of casework assigned and greater supervision, typically investigating routine felony and juvenile cases.
Essential Functions
Assist assigned Assistant Public Defenders in conducting investigations and preparing cases for hearings and trial: review case files, identify investigative tasks, draft and execute court orders for evidence; collect, secure, and analyze evidence, ensuring chain of custody; use investigative tools, resources, and programs to obtain necessary information; photograph or sketch crime scenes; assist with home evaluations; compile witness lists; consult with Assistant Public Defenders regarding defense; and testify in court.
Identify, locate, serve subpoenas, and ensure court appearances of clients, victims, and lay and professional witnesses involved in felony and juvenile cases; assist with interviewing and obtaining full cooperation; and serve as translator for attorneys.
Transport and provide security for attorneys, transport attorneys, clients, social workers, and witnesses as needed.
Provide assistance and advocacy to indigent clients: give information and updates regarding case status and court proceedings; provide referrals and information to assist clients.
Communicate and collaborate with various groups and agencies—including law enforcement, clients, victims, witnesses, families of clients and witnesses, judges, attorneys, court personnel, and the general public—to gather information, coordinate investigative efforts, and raise public awareness.
Prepare, gather, review, compile, and process a variety of documents related to investigative activities: incident reports, certified prior convictions, criminal histories, crime lab information, defendant, victim and witness statements; interview/interview footage; medical records; financial records; crime lab reports; draft investigative reports, case summaries, evidence requests, and related documents.
Stay abreast of criminal investigative techniques and practices, crime trends, and courtroom procedures; attend seminars and training courses; obtain various criminology certifications.
Operate or use various equipment, tools, and supplies to complete tasks: motor vehicles, cameras, radios, surveillance equipment, personal computer, word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, internet, e‑mail, and other software; operate general office or other equipment as necessary.
Additional Functions Perform other related duties as required.
Performance Aptitudes
Data Utilization : Review, classify, categorize, prioritize, and analyze data; exercise discretion in determining data classification; apply established standards.
Human Interaction : Work and apply principles of persuasion or influence to coordinate programs or activities and resolve problems.
Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization : Operate and control equipment, machinery, tools, or materials used in essential functions.
Verbal Aptitude : Utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, advisory, and design data and information.
Mathematical Aptitude : Perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, division; compute decimals and percentages, fractions; calculate discounts, interest, ratios, surface areas, volumes, weights, and measures.
Functional Reasoning : Apply principles of motivation, incentive, and leadership; exercise independent judgment for developing approaches and resolving problems.
Situational Reasoning : Exercise judgment, decisiveness, and creativity in situations evaluating information against subjective criteria.
It is the policy of Fulton County that there will be equal opportunity for every citizen, employee and applicant, based upon merit without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, genetics, age, disability or sexual orientation.
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