Investigator - G120 Public Defender

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists in the preparation and disposition of criminal cases for trial.
• Interviews defendants to obtain their version of the facts of the case as well as personal background.
• Reviews the facts of the case as they appear in court transcripts.
• Prepares written reports for attorneys, including information obtained during interviews, summaries of facts, impressions and observations, and recommendations of motions.
• Reviews files with attorneys; confirms motions; has motions filed and signed.
• Compiles files on each case, including court transcripts, police reports, written reports from investigators, discovery material, and copies of subpoenas.
• Delivers subpoenas; locates and interviews witnesses; conducts legal research.
• Identifies cases on trial dockets; conducts initial and follow-up interviews as needed.
• Discusses cases with parole or probation officers.
• Provides in-court assistance at court appearances.
• Serves as the Fast Track Coordinator.
• Runs GCIC criminal histories.
• Reviews the crime scene if appropriate.
• Prepares and files legal motions under attorney direction.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal criminal laws.
• Knowledge of courtroom procedure.
• Knowledge of probation and parole guidelines.
• Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, and meeting deadlines.
• Skill in conducting legal research.
• Skill in the use of computers and various software programs.
• Skill in managing records and preparing reports.
• Skill in oral and written communication.

Minimum Educational and Training Requirements

• Knowledge and level of competency commonly associated with the completion of specialized training in the occupational field, in addition to basic skills typically associated with a high school education.
• Sufficient experience to understand the basic principles relevant to the major duties of the position, usually associated with the completion of an apprenticeship/internship or having had a similar position for one to two years.
• Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver's license issued by the State of Georgia for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.

Physical Requirements

• The work is typically performed while intermittently sitting, standing, stooping, walking, bending, or crouching.
• The employee occasionally lifts light and heavy objects, uses tools or equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity, and distinguishes between shades of color.
• The following physical abilities are required:
• Balancing – maintain equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing, or crouching.
• Feeling – perceive attributes of objects by touch with skin, fingertips.
• Grasping – apply pressure to object with fingers, palm.
• Handling – pick, hold, or work with whole hand.
• Hearing 1 – perceive sounds at normal speaking levels, receive information.
• Hearing 2 – receive detailed information, make discrimination in sound.
• Kneeling – bend legs at knee to come to rest at knees.
• Lifting – raise objects from lower to higher position, move objects side to side, use upper extremities, back.
• Manual Dexterity – pick, pinch, type, work with fingers rather than hand.
• Pulling – use upper extremities to exert force, haul or tug.
• Pushing – use upper extremities to press against objects with force, or thrust forward, downward, outward.
• Reaching – extend hands or arms in any direction.
• Repetitive Motion – substantial movements of wrists, hands, fingers.
• Talking 1 – express ideas by spoken word.
• Talking 2 – shout to be heard above ambient noise.
• Visual Acuity 1 – prepare, analyze data, transcribe, computer terminal, extensive reading.
• Visual Acuity 2 – color, depth perception, field of vision.
• Visual Acuity 3 – determine accuracy, neatness, observe facilities/structures.
• Visual Acuity 4 – operate motor vehicles/heavy equipment.
• Visual Acuity 5 – close acuity for inspection of small defects, machines, use measurement devices, or fabricate parts.
• Walking – on foot to accomplish tasks, long distances, or site to site.

Benefits

• Low-cost Medical Insurance
• Prescription Drug Plan
• Dental Plan
• Vision Plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life Insurance
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• Credit Union
• Direct Deposit
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Vacation Leave
• Sick Leave
• PERK Time Off
• Retirement Plan
• Supplemental Retirement Plan
• Free and Discounted Services
• Employee Assistance Program

Required Work Experience

• Valid Driver's License
• Work Experience Organizing Work, Setting Priorities, and Meeting Deadlines
• Work Experience Conducting Legal Research, Managing Records, and Preparing Reports
• Education Level
• Computer Software Proficiency
• Experience with Local, State, and Federal Criminal Laws
• Experience with Courtroom Procedure and Probation and Parole Guidelines