Investigator.

About the role

Colorado’s Office of the State Public Defender (OSPD) is an independent agency within the Judicial Branch of Colorado State Government, dedicated to providing effective, zealous, inspired, and compassionate indigent criminal defense. With nearly 1,000 employees across twenty‑one regional trial offices, a centralized appellate division, and a centralized administrative office, OSPD defends the rights, liberties, and dignity of those accused of crimes who cannot afford counsel. The organization seeks professionals committed to its mission, who demonstrate compassion, self‑motivation, and a personal commitment to high performance in a fast‑paced, team‑oriented environment.

Responsibilities

• Learns procedures and develops skills in organizing and preparing case files to effectively manage assigned investigations.
• Copies information from attorney files including client information, case numbers, court dates, charges, discovery, bond information, and attorney notes from client conferences.
• Tracks pertinent case information by breaking down or indexing files to manage caseloads and quickly access or reference case information.
• Learns procedures and develops skills in preparing for investigations and witness/victim interviews.
• Reviews and organizes discovery and meets with attorneys and clients to gather information relevant to locating and interviewing witnesses.
• Serves as a collaborative member of the defense team: consults with attorneys on defense theory, applicable case law, and potential ethical issues to establish investigation and interview strategy.
• Maintains regular and timely communications with attorneys regarding case status, court dates, witness information, investigation progress, and seeks clarification on investigation requests to prioritize and complete tasks within timelines.
• Develops skills and practice habits to maintain thorough documentation of all work performed.
• Develops and maintains clear understanding of ethical issues implicated in work performed, consulting with attorneys and managers as required.
• Develops skills in investigative techniques and methods for conducting fieldwork to collect client records, serve subpoenas, examine crime scenes, view physical evidence, conduct interviews, and prepare reports of interviews and fieldwork.
• Documents and verifies elements of the crime scene and evidence viewed.
• Applies established policies and procedures such as obtaining signed releases from clients, obtaining records at minimal cost, and documenting records received.
• Maintains and utilizes tools and equipment for investigations, including audio recording devices, cameras, standard computer and office equipment, measurement tools, and maps.
• Provides trial and hearing support: assists in preparing exhibits for trial or sentencing, ensures appropriate clothing is available for the client, coordinates witness appearances (providing updates on trial status and court dates, assisting