Position Description

Priority Screen Date: Monday, June 3, 2024
Exam # 24/34D40/05SA

Public Defender Investigator II ($6,740 - $ 9,200 Monthly)

Public Defender Investigator III ($7,373 - $10,064 Monthly)

All application materials must be received by the priority screening date for a guaranteed review. Applications received after this date will be considered on an as needed basis until the position is filled.

The Public Defender's Office provides legal representation to indigent persons charged with crimes in Monterey County, ranging from the simplest misdemeanor to complex capital cases. The guiding principle of the office is that each client is entitled to the best outcome legally attainable. Our attorney’s, investigators and support staff take great pride in providing a consistently high level of service. The Public Defender's Office seeks qualified applicants to apply for the position of Public Defender Investigator II/III.

Public Defender Investigator II performs skilled investigative work involving sensitive and/or difficult cases referred to the Public Defender’s Office where criminal action is involved or suspected; performs related work as required.

Public Defender Investigator III performs highly specialized investigatory duties for the most complex, sensitive, and /or difficult criminal cases that have significant legal implications and/or high degree of publicity; may function as lead worker; acts for the Supervising Investigator in his/her absence; and performs related work as required.

The Eligible List established by this recruitment process may be used County-wide to fill current and future vacancies on a regular full-time, part-time, or temporary basis.

This classification is part of a flexible series. Incumbents appointed at the lower level of the career series may be promoted up to the higher level of the career series subject to their meeting the employment standards for the higher class and a recommendation for their promotion by the appointing authority.

This position is contingent upon Board of Supervisors approval and will be budgeted effective July, 1 2024.

Examples of Duties

Public Defender Investigator II

• Independently performs complex and sensitive 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 serves subpoenas for court appearances of defense witnesses.
• 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.
• Searches computer resources.
• May testify in court regarding facts established by investigations or as an expert investigative witness.

Public Defender Investigator III
In addition to the level II duties, the level III also includes:

• Independently conducts the most complex, sensitive, or unusual criminal investigations that have legal significance or high public exposure.
• Assists attorneys in the preparation and presentation of defense evidence and testimony. Confers with attorneys on points of law and procedure.
• Examines and diagrams all necessary measurements at crime scenes.
• Gathers, marks, records, and preserves physical evidence; determines the importance and relevance of the evidence in investigations.
• Performs related work as required.

To view the complete job description, please visit the County of Monterey website:
Public Defender Investigator II
Public Defender Investigator III

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATEWill have a proven track record demonstrating the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

Public Defender Investigator II
Working Knowledge of:

• Laboratory procedures, methods, and uses of scientific investigative equipment and analysis incident to the investigation of crimes.
• Investigative methods applied in the penalty phase of capital offense cases.
• 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.
• Current technology and trends in the profession.
• Telephone, office, and online etiquette.

Public Defender Investigator III
Thorough Knowledge of:
The level II Working Knowledge must be Thorough Knowledge for the level III, in addition to:

• Principles, methods, and techniques of criminal investigations, including gathering, preserving, and presenting evidence, basic identification techniques, and methods of operation.
• Basic psychological principles, interviewing techniques, and interrogating witnesses of varied socio-economic and cultural backgrounds, and mentally deficient clients.
• Techniques employed in diagramming and making demonstrative evidence to be presented in court.
• Various firearms, including identification, use, firepower, and ballistic patterns for the purpose of investigating cases involving the discharge of firearms.
• Mental defenses to a crime such as diminished capacity and legal insanity.

Public Defender Investigator II
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.
• Determine priorities and importance of various types of evidence.
• Effectively communicate in oral and written form by preparing, reviewing, and evaluating comprehensive reports on investigations.
• Obtain information through interviews.
• Work effectively without direct supervision.
• 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.
• May be required to communicate effectively in Spanish.
• Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for making observations, communicating with others, and reading and writing.
• Maintain mental capacity, which allows the ability of making sound decisions and demonstrating intellectual capabilities.
• Exercise good judgment and tact in dealing with sensitive cases.
• Read and comprehend legal material.
• Deal effectively with various levels of government, law enforcement agencies, judicial groups, and individuals.
• Recognize potentially hostile situations; adapt to many different environments; function calmly in situations which require a high degree of sensitivity, tact, and diplomacy.
• Provide prompt, efficient, and responsive service to management, the attorneys, and/or the clients.
• Exercise appropriate judgment in answering questions and releasing information; analyze and project consequences of decisions and/or recommendations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other criminal justice agencies, courts, and the public.
• Use laptop and personal computers, word processing programs, and access the internet; learn computer programs and databases; use computer presentation software.

Public Defender Investigator III
Skill and Ability to:
In addition to the level II Skill and Abilities, the level III also includes:

• Develop demonstrative evidence for use in court, such as diagrams, charts, and photographs.
• Testify in court in a direct, clear, and concise manner.

Examples of Experience/Education/Training

Any combination of training, education and/or experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities and required conditions of employment is qualifying. An example of a way these requirements might be acquired is:

Public Defender Investigator II
Experience:

• Two (2) years of experience performing duties comparable to the Monterey County Public Defender Investigator I class that included investigation of felony and misdemeanor cases referred to the Public Defender’s Office; or Two (2) years of experience as a law enforcement officer that included the investigation of suspected criminal activities.
• Work experience, continuing education in the field of criminal investigations, participation in statewide criminal defense investigator groups, and a California Private Investigator license may be considered in evaluating equivalent experience.

Public Defender Investigator III
Experience

• Two (2) years of experience performing duties comparable to the Monterey County Public Defender Investigator II class that included investigation of difficult and sensitive felony and misdemeanor cases referred to the Public Defender’s Office; or Three (3) years of experience as a law enforcement officer that included the investigation of suspected criminal activities.
• Work experience, continuing education in the field of criminal investigations, participation in statewide criminal defense investigator groups, and a California Private Investigator license may be considered in evaluating equivalent experience.

Additional Information

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
The required conditions of employment include, but are not limited to the following:

• Possess and maintain a valid California Class C driver’s license or the ability to provide suitable transportation that is approved by the appointing authority.
• Be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and during times of disaster and/or emergency.
• Spanish language communication, both oral and written.

Desired conditions of employment:

• Possession of a California Private Investigator license is highly desirable.

BENEFITS:
The County of Monterey offers an excellent benefits package. Please visit our website to view the J-Unit Benefit Summary Sheet . This information is not legally binding, nor does it serve as a contract. The benefits listed in the Monterey County Personnel Policies and Practices Resolution or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) prevail over this listing.

NOTES:
As a condition of employment, prospective employees may be required to submit to a background review which may include a review of information concerning present and/or prior employment, driving record, and record of any criminal convictions. Employment is contingent upon acceptable documentation verifying identity and authorization for employment in the U.S.; a list of acceptable documents is available on the USCIS Form I-9. If you are hired into this classification in a temporary position, your rate of pay will be hourly, and you will not be eligible for the benefits listed in the summary.

Application and Selection Procedures

Apply On-Line at

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/montereycounty ,

by Priority Screening Date, Monday, June 3, 2024, 11:59 PM(PST)

or

Hard copy applications may be obtained from and submitted during normal business hours,

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM by contacting:

County of Monterey

Attn: Stephanie Ahumada, Associate Personnel Analyst

168 W. Alisal Street, 3rd Floor

Salinas, CA 93901

Phone: (831) 755-5238 Fax: (831) 757-5792

The selection process is tentative, and applicants will be notified if changes are made. To assess applicants' possession of required qualifications, the examination process may include an oral examination, pre-examination exercises, performance examination, and/or written examination. The competitive examination process includes submittal of required application materials. A complete application package will include:

• A completed County of Monterey Employment Application
• Responses to the Supplemental Questions

Applicants who fail to provide all required materials by the final filing deadline will not be considered. Resumes, cover letters, letters of interest, and other correspondence will not be accepted as a substitute for required application materials. All required application materials will be competitively evaluated. Those applicants that are determined to be the most appropriately qualified will be invited to participate further in the selection process.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
Monterey County is a drug-free workplace and an equal opportunity employer. The County seeks candidates who can make contributions in an environment of cultural and ethnic diversity. Monterey County is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact Stephanie Ahumada, Human Resources Analyst, at (831) 755-5238, or ahumadas@countyofmonterey.gov.

http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/government/departments-a-h/human-resources/human-resources/benefits/benefit-summary-sheet

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

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