Public Defender Investigator I

Job Description:

Public Defender Investigator I

Description

The Position

Bargaining Unit: CCC Defenders/Investigators
The Contra Costa County Public Defender’s Office (CCPD) is excited to announce a recruitment for the position of Public Defender Investigator I. Under the supervision of the Public Defender Chief Investigator, persons in this class are responsible for investigating felony and misdemeanor criminal cases for the defense of indigent persons represented by the Public Defender's Office. This work is performed with considerable independence. Depending on the investigation, the duties of an investigator may entail long hours at odd times of the day or night.

The Contra Costa County Office of the Public Defender has approximately 114 attorneys and 14 investigators serving the Courts of Contra Costa County. Contra Costa is located in the Bay Area, extending from the San Francisco Bay to the western edge of California’s Central Valley. One of the most populous counties in California, Contra Costa encompasses a range of urban, suburban and rural communities. CCPD has an office in Richmond serving West County, an office in Martinez serving Central and East County and a Juvenile Defense Office in Walnut Creek. In addition, we oversee an Alternate Defenders office in Martinez.

At the CCPD, we believe in fierce, innovative, and fearless advocacy. Our core philosophy is that justice can only be served when the most vulnerable among us are treated with the same attention, dignity, and respect as the most powerful. We ensure that each client receives excellent representation by carefully monitoring caseloads and workloads and providing excellent in-house training. We take a holistic approach to the representation of our clients, which includes support services within our office including social workers, law clerks, legal assistants, immigration experts, a forensic attorney expert, a mental health unit and a clean slate unit.

As an office, we foster practices and policies that promote equity, racial justice, diversity and inclusion.

Spanish-speaking bilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has thorough knowledge and understanding of the role of a Public Defender Investigator
• Can develop strong working relationships with colleagues
• Has the highest standards of ethics and integrity
• Can self-manage multiple job functions in a fast-paced demanding environment
• Has excellent writing skills
• Has the emotional intelligence to manage stress in the workplace

This is what you will typically be responsible for:

• Investigating felony and misdemeanor criminal cases involving indigent clients
• Accurately obtaining information and conducting interviews to support the defense of persons represented by the Public Defender
• Working closely with attorney staff in planning and conducting investigations
• Taking accurate notes during interviews and converting them into reports in cooperation with attorney staff
• Conferring with Deputy Public Defenders to ascertain information needed for the defense of a criminal case and reporting back to the deputy with all information collected
• Testifying in court when necessary

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You are committed to the mission of the Office of the Public Defender to provide excellent representation to the clients we serve
• You thrive on multi-tasking in a fast-paced work environment
• You enjoy working with passionate, zealous, and aggressive trial attorneys

A few challenges you may face in this job:

• You will be required to manage high caseloads and workloads
• You will need to adjust to the various workstyles of multiple attorneys

Competencies Required:

• Fact Finding: Obtaining facts and data pertaining to an issue or question
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter knowledge to the job
• Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity
• Self-Management: Showing personal organization, self-discipline, and dependability
• Informing: Proactively obtaining and sharing information
• Listening: Fully comprehending spoken communication
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing
• Building and Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
• Valuing Diversity: Appreciating the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in the workplace

To read the full job description, please visit: Public Defender Investigator I

The eligible list established from this recruitment may remain in effect for six months.

Minimum Qualifications

License Required: Possession of a valid California motor vehicle operator’s license. Out of State valid motor vehicle operator’s license will be accepted during the application process.

Education: Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience: 1. One (1) year of full-time experience working as a criminal defense investigator in a federal, state, or county public defender office;

OR

2. One (1) year of full-time experience performing investigative work related to criminal defense in a professional field, such as investigative journalism, legal services, civil rights, public policy, government, or a non-profit organization.

Substitution for Education: The following may be substituted for a Bachelor’s degree: Successful completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units from an accredited college or university including at least one course in English Composition and two (2) years of experience as noted in the “Experience” section above.
Desirable Qualifications: Up-to-date training in current standards and practices of criminal defense investigation.

Selection Process

Application Filing and Evaluation: Depending on the number of applications received, an Application Evaluation Board may be convened to evaluate and select the best-qualified candidates for invitation to the next phase of the examination. An evaluation of each candidate's relevant education, training and/or experience as presented on the application and supplemental questionnaire. Training and Experience Questionnaire: Candidates will be required to complete a training and experience questionnaire at the time of filing. The responses to the training and experience questions on the supplemental questionnaire will be used to evaluate candidates r elevant education, training and/or experience as it relates to the Public Defender Investigator I Classification. (Weighted 100%)

The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.

For recruitment specific questions, please contact Austin Wagers at [email protected]. For any technical issues, please contact the GovernmentJobs’ applicant support team for assistance at +1 855-524-5627.


CONVICTION HISTORY

After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

To find more information on Benefits offered by Contra Costa County, please go to https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/1343/Employee-Benefits

Closing Date/Time: 6/2/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$106,152.95 - $129,029.57 Annually