INVESTIGATOR 2 PUBLIC DEFENDER

Code: 33454 Unknown Unknown

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 general supervision of an Investigator 3 or other supervisor in the Office of the Public Defender, mentors or may supervise the work assigned to lower level investigators, and/or, under general supervision, handles the most complex cases involving first degree crimes, high profile matters, post-conviction relief cases or those in which the client faces life in prison or lifetime supervision and/or in which the client is charged with multiple and more serious, indictable offenses, cases wherein the represented child client is impacted by multiple issues that potentially may result in irreparable lifetime sociological, physiological and emotional harm; exercises independent judgment in the investigation and preparation of cases for the representation of clients charged with alleged crimes and/or charged with or subject to alleged child abuse/neglect in a Trial, Law Guardian, Parental Representation or Special Hearings Office; provides training, guidance and consultation to lower level investigators; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

May act as unit supervisor in the absence of Chief Investigator and/or Investigator 3; assigns cases and reviews work. Responsible for most complex cases involving first degree crimes, homicides, lifetime supervision, post-conviction relief cases, cold cases with a long list of witnesses, family court referred matters involving abused or neglected children, and/or other matters affecting the public interest. Responsible for cases involving high profile clients. Responsible for a high volume of cases, while maintaining a high level of efficiency and effectiveness Performs the most complex field and office investigative work; works under general supervision, canvasses areas for potential witnesses, takes photographs and video recordings, takes measurements of crime scenes and drug zone measurements, sketches diagrams of crime scenes, gathers evidence, obtains city maps, creates models, conducts home evaluations, contacts outside agencies and subpoenas records and/or witnesses. Interviews clients, witnesses, representatives from government agencies, private agencies licensed by the government, and/or other individuals, and prepares investigative reports on the information obtained. Prepares fact-finding reports and conducts investigations for matters requiring judicial determination. Verifies authenticity or validity of documents. Interviews individuals to determine their potential as witnesses in administrative hearings or court proceedings. Makes determinations about the conduct of client interviews. Makes assessments regarding child abuse and neglect cases and may request the involvement of law enforcement or other agencies. May transport clients and witnesses as needed. May be required to travel out of state to conduct and/or complete investigations for assigned cases. Collects and deposits administrative fees. Ensures forms and releases are signed by clients. Confers with attorneys on individual cases; reviews discovery and files motions. Testifies in court proceedings and/or administrative hearings. Understands and follows court rules and procedures, rules of evidence, and chain of custody procedures. Mentors, trains, guides, and may evaluate the progress of investigators of lower grade. May prepare training materials. Provides formal feedback to the Investigator 3 or other supervisory official concerning the quality of work of subordinate investigators and provides input during the formal evaluation process including the development of performance standards and employee ratings. May mentor the organizational unit and the work performed by investigators of lower grade. May be assigned the most complex cases while mentoring subordinate investigators in the office and the field. Prepares formal records/statements covering all phases of each assigned case or investigation. Participates in pre-trial conferences with staff attorneys. Performs the more complex research to obtain background information for cases. Analyzes reports and other reference materials. Prepares and submits progress reports for developing cases. Prepares clear, technically sound, accurate, and concise reports, summaries, and compilations containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations regarding case assignments. May plan and organize work of the organizational unit, and assigns and evaluates the work of subordinates, effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, and disciplining of employees. Participates in the preparation and conduct of training for investigators. Reviews rules, laws, regulations, and procedures of involved agencies. Arranges and participates in case conferences. Prepares correspondence in the course of official duties. Maintains and supervises the maintenance of 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 the 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 of interview techniques. Knowledge of procedures and precautions used to investigate civil and criminal matters as well as the methods/procedures involved in preparing legal proofs of fact for trial purposes. Knowledge of Superior Court rules and procedures including the Rules of Evidence and Chain of Custody. Ability to perform office and field work of a complex nature involving a diverse client base such as criminal defendants, victims of abuse and neglect, clients with a variety of disabilities, and others with a variety of physical, emotional and/or social disorders. Ability to interview clients, complainants, witnesses, representatives of government agencies, and/or other individuals. Ability to acquire knowledge and understanding of the medical, social science, and/or scientific literature and terminology used by the Division of Child Protection & Permanency (DCP ). Ability to cope with complex and emotional contact with clients and empathize with them. Ability to organize complex field and office work. Ability to investigate 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 perform complex research. Ability to write clearly and concisely. Ability to instruct, counsel, and assist investigators of lower grade. Ability to organize information in an understandable/efficient manner. Ability to conduct training seminars. Ability to prepare official correspondence. 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 after reasonable accommodation is made to their known disabilities. 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

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. Seven (7) 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 three (3) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. 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 creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgment and make accurate and informed decisions.