INVESTIGATOR 1 PUBLIC DEFENDER BILINGUAL IN SPANISH AND ENGLISH
Bilingual In Spanish And English
Career Family: INVESTIGATOR
Investigator 1 Public Defender Bilingual in Spanish and English is a competitive state title, the kind you test for: the exam result, not a hiring manager's pick, decides where you land in line.
You can qualify with a bachelor's degree or, if you do not have one, by piling up more experience instead. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $69,668 to $101,951, and state payroll currently lists about 157 people in the title, most of them at Office of the Public Defender.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
See every real route in, and where to apply. One agency employs it. We don't track live vacancies.
See where to apply for this title →Who employs this title
Investigator 1 Public Defender Bilingual in Spanish and English appears on the State payroll at one department, Office of Public Defender.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Office of Public Defender | 157 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Pay ladder: Investigator series
- Investigator 1 — $62,499 – $91,249
- Investigator 2 — $71,562 – $104,839
- Investigator 3 — $83,582 – $122,832
- Investigator 4 Law and Publc Safety — $83,582 – $122,832
Its top salary lands around the 48th percentile of all NJ civil service titles that publish a range.
Rungs are ordered by FY 2027 pay. NJ level numbers are not always sequential, so ordering follows salary rather than the title number.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 157 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $86,027. The agencies employing the most are:
- Office of the Public Defender (157)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under limited supervision of an Investigator 2 or other supervisor in the Office of the Public Defender, handles the more complex and/or specialized field and office work involved in the preparation of cases for the representation of clients; independently confers with attorney on assigned cases; does related work as required.
Examples of work
Independently performs field and office work to prepare cases for the representation of clients, and follows through on assigned cases. Performs casework of a more complex nature, often involving repeat offenders, clients with multiple charges, or matters affecting the public interest as a class or as individual. Plans course of action for assigned cases. May make recommendations for needed client services, such as counseling, early intervention, and psychological evaluations. Interviews clients, witnesses, representatives from government agencies and/or private agencies licensed by the government, or other individuals and prepares reports on the information obtained. Interviews representatives from outside agencies to obtain information needed to fully document assigned cases, which may include law enforcement authorities, medical personnel, social service workers, educators, and others potentially involved in the assigned case. Conducts fact-finding investigations for matters requiring judicial determination. Prepares formal records/statements covering all phases of each assigned case or investigation. Performs research to obtain background information for cases. Develops resources to locate witnesses; and/or assist clients in all aspects of their challenged areas. May use photographic and/or other types of equipment to capture and record information for assigned cases. Serves subpoenas for records and other written requests. Documents chain of custody for evidence as required. Conducts investigations and interviews under more adverse circumstances, which may include victims of abuse and neglect, clients with a variety of disabilities, incarcerated clients, and others with a variety of physical, emotional and/or social disorders. Verifies authenticity or validity of documents. May assist investigators of higher grade in detailed phases of complex cases. Works directly with attorneys, and follows their directives. Understands attorney strategy; and can discuss and contribute to the formulation of next investigative moves. May conduct investigations in which a conflict of interest exists between parties. May be required to travel out of state to conduct and/or complete investigations for assigned cases. May be required to attend enhanced skill-training courses. Testifies in court proceedings and/or administrative hearings. Compiles information for and prepares reports including findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Responds to questions posed by the public, clients, complainants, or supervisors. Prepares correspondence in the course of official duties. May prepare or conduct training for investigators. Reviews rules, laws, regulations, and procedures of involved agencies. Maintains files and records. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge and subsequent application of the methods used to gather, record, assemble, arrange, and analyze data used in civil and criminal cases. Knowledge and application of methods for the service of subpoenas. Knowledge of investigative techniques and procedures. Knowledge of interview techniques. Knowledge of the methods/procedures used to gather and prepare facts and evidence for trial purposes. Knowledge of procedures involved in collecting and compiling data for reports. Ability to interpret rules and regulations and apply them to specific situations. Ability to conduct interviews and investigations of a more complex nature. Ability to gather information from and interact with victims of abuse and neglect, clients with a variety of disabilities, incarcerated clients, and others with a variety of physical, emotional and/or social disorders. Ability to interview clients, complainants, witnesses, representatives from government agencies, agencies licensed by the State of New Jersey or other pertinent individuals in order to collect information. Ability to interact with representatives from outside agencies and/or entities having an interest or involvement with the assigned case. Ability to organize assigned field and office work. Ability to interact with persons of varying backgrounds. Ability to work under adverse conditions. Ability to prepare progress and final case reports. Ability to testify in administrative hearings and in court proceedings. Ability to conduct research. Ability to prepare clear and concise reports and correspondence. Ability to attend training seminars. Ability to prepare clear, technically sound, accurate, and comprehensive reports, summaries, and compilations containing findings, conclusions, and/or recommendations. Ability to maintain records and files. Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible. This job specification is applicable to the following title code(s) which are different work week or work month and/or variants of the job class title: Job Spec Code State, Local or Common Class of Service Work Week State Class Code Local Class Code Salary Range
Note
Positions in the Office of the Public Defender, Division of Mental Health Advocacy are assigned caseloads involving individuals with mental illness or developmental disabilities. Due to the nature of this work, the duties of positions in this division may vary slightly from those listed below to include heavy caseloads, limited preparation time, and investigations of and communication with individuals with mental illness or developmental disabilities. These positions are subject to Selective Certification. The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. Appointments may be made to positions requiring bilingual skills. - Bilingual in Spanish and English SPECIAL SKILL Applicants must be able to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in Spanish and English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Six (6) years of professional experience in conducting field investigations, analyzing information, and preparing reports in a law enforcement, criminal defense, or social service agency. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and two (2) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. OR Successful completion of the Investigator Apprentice Public Defender program. For appointments to positions in the Division of Mental Health Advocacy, selective certification appointments are permitted by the Appointing Authority. Appointments of this nature will be based on the following additional requirements: 1. Education: Thirty credits (undergraduate or graduate) in the following areas: a. Psychology courses (at least half of which are beyond survey level) in clinic practice or therapy, intelligence or projective testing, or abnormal psychology; and, b. Sociology/social work courses (at least half of which are beyond survey level) in social work theory skills and methods, or clinical practicum. OR 2. Experience: At least one year of experience in a setting which requires substantial interviewing experience of individuals with major psychiatric disorders such as, but not limited to, schizophrenia and bi-polar, as well as relevant Axis II diagnoses, for developmentally disabled individuals and sex offenders; and/or therapeutic interaction with special populations such as institutionalized children or adults, to include those individuals with the diagnoses stated above. Specialized education and experience may be combined to satisfy the prerequisite. Fifteen credits of course work (beyond the survey level) in psychology, sociology, or social work may be substituted for six months of specialized practice. "Professional experience" refers to work that is analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range of basic knowledge of the profession's concepts and practices; and is performed with the authority to act and make accurate and informed decisions. SCNE22N/AP22-Bilingual In Spanish And EnglishSCNE22N/AP22- This job specification is for governm