The Office of the Ohio Public Defender seeks two full-time Criminal Investigator 2s for its Columbus office. The criminal investigator works independently and at the direction of his or her supervisor and assigned assistant public defender(s). He or she is also tasked with conducting thorough, detailed, and accurate psychosocial investigations of clients charged with capital crimes (death penalty) at the trial court level and clients in post-trial litigation who have been sentenced to death. The criminal investigator also conducts fact investigations on trial and post-trial litigation.
Job duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Reviews transcripts and conducts investigations of possible criminal activity for defendants charged with or convicted of a capital crime, felonies and misdemeanors.
• Uses computer and/or field investigations to locate witnesses; interviews witnesses by telephone, correspondence, or in person.
• Compiles client history by extensive interviews with the client, client's family, and other persons who may possess significant information.
• Develops a mitigation presentation for sentencing in capital trials, juvenile life without parole cases, or post-conviction cases.
• Collects and maintains records.
• Analyzes and evaluates collected data.
• Prepares reports of investigative findings.
• Utilizes agency case management system (OPD Online) to track case, submit documents, and respond to requests.
• Participates in client defense activity as defense team member to plan a consistent strategy (trial and appellate levels), interprets mitigation data, coordinates and prepares witnesses for testimony.
• Serves as a liaison to clients’ families, law enforcement, various defense witnesses, and attorneys to transmit vital information.
• Conducts juror interviews as needed and obtains affidavits as directed.
• Testifies in court regarding findings of fact investigation and psycho-social history/mitigation investigation;
Minimum Qualifications:
12 months’ experience as a Criminal Investigator 1, class code 26121.
-Or 12 months’ experience in conducting criminal investigations of felonies and misdemeanors or claims fraud.
-Or 24 months’ experience in conducting investigations of complaints and possible violations of laws and rules or agency/company policies and procedures.
-Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment noted above.
Notary commission to be obtained prior to the end of the probationary period.
Preferred Qualification:
Bachelor’s degree in social work, criminal justice, sociology, psychology, or humanities.
Major Worker Characteristics:
Knowledge of agency, state and/or federal statutes, rules, regulations and procedures applicable to crimes and/or violations under investigation*; criminal evidence and procedure; case preparation; supervisory principles/techniques*; employee training and development*; interviewing and investigation; public relations. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; prepare concise, meaningful and accurate reports; use research methods in gathering data; handle sensitive inquiries from and contacts with officials and general public.
*Developed after employment
Supplemental Information
Working Conditions:
Requires visits to DRC and DYS facilities. May require overnight and/or extensive travel. May require field visits to rural and/or urban locations. May require unusual work hours based upon business needs.
Field work involves unusual exposure to physical hazards from hostile and/or violent persons (e.g., verbal abuse and threats of assault, animal and/or human attacks) and hazardous work environments, including but not limited to, syringes, pests, or other hazards.
Employment Information:
All final applicants tentatively selected for this position are required to submit to urinalysis to test for illegal drug use prior to appointments. An applicant with a positive test shall not be offered employment.
Intentional omission of relevant information, falsification, or misrepresentation of information on the application will disqualify the applicant. In addition, such intentional acts are grounds for immediate termination of an employee.
The final candidate selected for the position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.
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