Public Defense Investigator

Title: Public Defense Investigator (CS/TLT/SDA)

Location: Seattle United States

Salary

$43.21 - $54.77 Hourly

Location 

Seattle, WA

Job Type

Career Service (Exec)

Job Number

2026CS27121

Job Description:

Summary

This recruitment will be used to establish an eligibility pool for Career Service (CS) and Term-Limited Temporary (TLT)/Special Duty Assignment (SDA) Public Defense Investigator positions that may become available within the next six months. TLT/SDA assignments typically last between 6 and 24 months and may be extended or concluded earlier depending on business needs. Positions may be assigned to any division and located in either Seattle or Kent.

King County's Department of Public Defense is looking to create an eligibility pool for Public Defense Investigator positions. The ideal candidates will be able to exercise good independent judgment, and apply office guidelines, legal procedures, work methods, court rules, and applicable laws. This role does not necessarily require a legal or criminal justice background, though experience with the criminal legal system is helpful. We seek compassionate, motivated individuals ready to help clients in their cases.

Public Defense Investigators assist attorneys in developing defense strategies by providing excellent trial-related investigative work. They review surveillance footage and video from police officers' body-worn cameras, examine discovery materials, conduct crime scene analyses, identify and interview potential witnesses, and more-all with an eye towards supporting the best possible legal outcome for clients. They're a key member of the defense team and play an integral role in achieving the client's stated goal. The successful candidate is dedicated to our collective mission to defend the most vulnerable and marginalized members of our community.

We value diversity and aim for our team to reflect the communities that our clients call home.

WHY JOIN DPD?

The King County Department of Public Defense (DPD) provides high quality legal representation to indigent clients in felonies, misdemeanors, juvenile defense, family defense (dependency cases), involuntary commitment (mental illness), and sex offender commitment, and inquests.

We also advocate to reduce the harm and reach of the criminal legal system and civil legal systems that restrict our clients' liberties and to address systemic racism. We strive to create a flexible workplace culture that is inclusive, respectful, and supportive, premised on a shared anti-oppression framework. To learn more about DPD, visit our website.

Job Duties

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES include but are not limited to the following:

• Have the ability to work onsite as well as report to various locations, including court, jail facilities, etc., throughout the county.
• Have the ability to work 40 hours a week with occasional overtime as needed.
• Uses professional communication skills and demonstrates empathy with DPD's clients and the community to include adults, teens, and children many of whom suffer from trauma and/or mental illness, via the phone and in-person.
• Assist attorneys in analyzing cases from a defense perspective. This may include examination of discovery materials or other information to determine areas in which more factual information is needed.
• Conduct crime scene analysis and examination of other physical locations or objects to identify evidence that will assist in preparing the defense. This may include taking photographs and preparing diagrams, maps, charts, and scale drawings to be exhibited in court. Communicate findings to attorneys.
• Identify and locate known or potential witnesses; assist attorneys in identifying appropriate expert witnesses.
• Conduct in-depth, often in-person, interviews with victims, witnesses, police personnel, medical personnel, clients, and others; develop and prioritize questions in order to obtain necessary information related to the case.
• Prepare comprehensive written summaries of interviews and other investigative findings, document contacts.
• Obtain and review reports, records, and other information.
• Identify and obtain potentially useful information through Public Records Act requests. This may include, but is not limited to, address verification, education and employment records, military records, medical records, and private records.
• Identify and capture digital and social media information, including but not limited to web search histories, messaging and email history, profile information, industry records, government agency records, and criminal records of state and defense witnesses.
• Prepare, process, and serve subpoenas on individuals and organizations.
• Organize investigative case files; maintain and update time logs and calendar of due dates and court dates; confer with attorneys regarding investigation status.
• Provide trial assistance by communicating trial schedule to witnesses, responding to last-minute investigation requests and testifying as necessary.
• Maintain current knowledge of related issues/standards in the legal environment.
• Attend and participate in unit and agency training and meetings as appropriate.
• Provide in-court testimony as deemed necessary by the assigned attorney to advance the defense case theory or discredit a witness.
• Other duties as assigned.

Other Functions:

The department reserves the right to close this posting and/or make updates to the position description as deemed necessary in support of DPD's mission.

• Detailed specifics of job duties are assigned by case type and division.*

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Possess a bachelor's degree and two years of demonstrated experience as a criminal defense investigator or equivalent defense-oriented investigative experience or education, OR applicants should have a combination of experience/education/training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the work.
• Have the ability to travel to required destinations around King County in a timely manner.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Interview methods, techniques, and procedures, including the ability to recognize factual discrepancies within discovery materials and take investigative follow-up.
• Criminal law, the legal system, and legal terminology.

SKILL IN:

• Working with individuals from diverse backgrounds to effectively serve vulnerable clients from all walks of life.
• Handling confidential information to safeguard client privacy and identity.
• Preparing detailed narrative reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
• Handling confidential information acquired during the course of an investigation.
• Identifying potential ethical issues and seeking advice when ethical issues arise or require clarification.
• Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Working independently, setting priorities and meeting deadlines.

ABILITY TO:

• Work and build trust with clients and people negatively affected by the criminal legal system.
• Use effective communication, listening, and interview skills while accurately documenting interviews and meetings.
• Respond to inquiries from clients, staff members, and court personnel and to testify effectively at trial, sentencing, or other hearings.
• Assess potentially dangerous situations and perform de-escalation techniques to clients/witnesses/others as applicable in distress via phone and in person.
• Work efficiently and calmly under pressure.
• Use office productivity tools such as Microsoft Office 365 (Excel, Word, and Outlook) document management, and Internet search engines, cameras, video equipment, tape recorders, and other relevant technology.
• Use mapping/diagramming software programs and be proficient at entering data efficiently and accurately.
• Search and analyze social networks and information databases.
• Demonstrate analytical, organization, and problem-solving skills.