8143-Senior Public Defender's Investigator

Job description

CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES

JOB CODE TITLE: SENIOR PUBLIC DEFENDER'S INVESTIGATOR JOB CODE: 8143

DEFINITION

Under direction, performs highly confidential and responsible investigative work in connection with criminal complaints and offenses under the jurisdiction of the Public Defender's Office; supervises and reviews the work of subordinate investigators. In absence of unit supervisor, performs administrative work, including the assigning of cases.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This is the supervisory level code in the series. Job code 8143 is distinguished from job code 8142 Public Investigator in that the latter performs journey level investigative work and receives supervision from the former.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

First level supervision of investigators.

EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

1. Supervises investigators performing investigative work on criminal cases under the jurisdiction of the Public Defender's Office; advises and assists investigators with difficult and complex investigative assignments.

2. Assists defense attorneys by participating in special investigations connected with serious criminal cases before the superior and municipal courts; gathers and preserves evidence.

3. Reviews policies and procedures with the public defender and informs members of the investigative staff of any changes in policies and procedures..

4. Participates in investigations involving mental health and juvenile division; may visit medical personnel, members of families and witnesses connected with a case, as needed.

5. Serves subpoenas when required.

6. May prepare diagrams and photographs of the scene of the crime; obtains medical records from the Coroner, hospitals and other sources, and business records as necessary.

7. Maintains records on all investigations; this includes the contacts made, findings of evidence, collected statements, description of scenes, analysis of cases and other information relevant to the defense; prepares investigative reports.

8. In absence of unit supervisor, performs administrative work in the unit; assigns cases.

9. Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of: Knowledge of penal codes, welfare and institutional codes, and court procedures in order to ascertain investigative needs; conducting investigations for the most serious offenses including homicide, three-strike law, and other life term sentences; computer skills such as Word.

Ability or Skill to: analyze and evaluate data collected in the course of investigations; interact and communicate orally in a courteous and effective manner with law enforcement officials and members of the public;; communicate effectively in writing, including preparation of records and reports; plan, organize, assign and review the work of other investigative personnel including the preparation of records and reports.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

These minimum qualifications establish the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license(s) which are required for employment in the classification. Please note, additional qualifications (i.e., special conditions) may apply to a particular position and will be stated on the exam/job announcement.

1.Three (3) years (6,000 hours) of verifiable experience as a public defender's investigator, a licensed private investigator, or experience performing investigative work in a professional field, such as law, social justice, media/journalism, public health/welfare, human/civil rights, education, social sciences, public policy, or non-profit work; AND possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university;

OR

2. Four (4) years (8,000 hours) of verifiable experience as a public defender�s investigator, a licensed private investigator, or experience performing investigative work in a professional field, such as law, social justice, media/journalism, public health/welfare, human/civil rights, education, social sciences, public policy, or non-profit work.

License and Certification:

Possession of a valid CA driver�s license

Substitution:

One (1) year (2,000 hours) of verifiable investigator training may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment: requires

considerable amount of climbing stairs and walking.

PROMOTIVE LINES

ORIGINATION DATE:

9/11/72

AMENDED DATE:

8/2/76; 8/29/01; 1/25/23

REASON FOR AMENDMENT:

To accurately reflect the current tasks, knowledge, skills & abilities, and minimum qualifications.

BUSINESS UNIT(S):

COMMN

Standard information

Disaster service work

All City and County of San Francisco employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City 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.

Historic and future compensation