Investigator - Salem/Lowell - Children & Family Law Division/Youth Advocacy Division

About the Role

The Children and Family Law and Youth Advocacy Divisions of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), the Massachusetts public defender agency, are seeking a full-time Investigator for the Salem and Lowell Offices. This newly created position will conduct investigations and aid in trial preparation for CPCS Trial Attorneys in Care and Protection, Children Requiring Assistance, Guardianship of Minors, Delinquency, and Youthful Offender criminal cases in Essex and northern Middlesex County Juvenile Courts.

Investigators are key members of the defense team who assist in developing defense strategies for indigent persons by interviewing witnesses, investigating allegations made by the Department of Children and Families and the District Attorneys Office, and documenting crime scenes. The Investigator's role is critical to maintaining or reunifying families and keeping children out of the juvenile justice system.

The Investigator will be seated in the CAFL Salem Office or the CAFL Lowell Office and will report to the Attorney in Charge of the office. The Investigator will also work under the direction of the Attorney in Charge of the YAD Salem Office, the YAD Lowell Office, and the Supervising Investigator, and will work collaboratively with other staff attorneys, investigators, and others as appropriate.

Responsibilities

• Locating and interviewing cooperative and, at times, uncooperative witnesses and/or alleged victims.
• Investigating and documenting allegations made by the Department of Children and Families and the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office, as well as crime scenes, commonly located in neighborhoods designated as ‘high crime areas’ by local law enforcement agencies.
• Preparing and presenting oral and/or written reports based upon interviews and/or information obtained during the course of the investigation.
• Conducting surveillance.
• Measuring, diagramming, and photographing locations where crimes may have taken place and/or any location appropriate to the defense strategy.
• Utilizing computers for online access to the Registry of Motor Vehicles, public records, databases, social networking sites, and various online searches.
• Keeping accurate records of all phases of the investigation and being accountable for all aspects of the investigation.
• Networking and maintaining personal contact with individuals in various agencies, including police departments, courts, state agencies, private sector agencies, and others to facilitate access to information necessary to the defense of a case.
• Reviewing and analyzing police reports and witness statements.
• Maintaining open lines of communication with attorneys regarding investigative updates and case strategy and meeting all deadlines associated with cases.
• Maintaining professional and productive relationships with attorneys and other staff members.
• Evaluating individuals and factual situations to aid the attorney in preparing and presenting a defense to the criminal charges.
• Advising attorneys regarding changes and developments in investigative tools and techniques.
• Developing familiarity with Massachusetts child welfare laws and regulations, criminal laws, and rules of criminal and civil procedure.
• Serving summonses on witnesses and document record keepers.
• Arranging timely appearance of witnesses at court by keeping them “on call” and, when necessary, providing transportation for clients and/or witnesses to court or other facilities.
• Preparing exhibits for trials and hearings.
• Ability to work independently and outside of normal business hours as needed.
• Participating in training programs for attorneys, as well as investigators.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Associate degree with coursework in criminal justice, forensics, law, or related area of study; a minimum of three years of experience in juvenile or criminal defense investigations or a related investigative field which primarily involves interviewing persons, obtaining facts, inspection of records, and writing reports; or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and skills.
• A bachelor’s degree may be substituted for up to 2 years of investigatory experience.
• Must possess a valid and active Massachusetts driver’s license and have full access to a dependable automobile.
• Access to home internet access sufficient to work remotely.

The successful candidate will be subject to a background check including CORI and driving history reviews.

About the Organization

CPCS is the state agency in Massachusetts responsible for providing an attorney when the state or federal constitution or a state statute requires the appointment of an attorney for a person who cannot afford to retain one. The agency provides representation in criminal, delinquency, youthful offender, family regulation, guardianship, mental health, sexually dangerous person, and sex offender registry cases, as well as in appeals and post-conviction and post-judgment proceedings related to those matters.

The Children and Family Law Division (CAFL) of CPCS is committed to ensuring that every indigent child, parent, and/or guardian in Massachusetts has access to zealous legal representation in family regulation/child welfare cases, including care and protection, child requiring assistance, termination of parental rights, guardianship-of-a-minor cases, and other types of custody and adoption proceedings. CAFL provides a holistic and multidisciplinary approach to client representation, bringing together attorneys, social workers, and support staff to improve outcomes for the clients they serve.

The Youth Advocacy Division (YAD), the juvenile defender division of CPCS, is committed to ensuring that every indigent child in Massachusetts has access to zealous legal representation in delinquency, GCL Revocation, juvenile murder, juvenile appeals, and youthful offender cases. YAD provides leadership, training, support, and oversight to the indigent juvenile defense bar in Massachusetts.

About the Locations

Salem: A historic coastal city in Essex County, located in the North Shore region. Salem is a residential and tourist area known for its role in the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. The city's population was 44,480 at the 2020 census. Salem is served by MBTA Commuter Rail and several MBTA buses.

Lowell: Located approximately 30 miles northwest of Boston, Lowell is the fifth most populous city in Massachusetts with an estimated population of 115,554 in 2020. Known for its historic manufacturing sites preserved by the National Park Service, Lowell has a significant Cambodian-American population and is home to UMass Lowell, Middlesex Community College, and a thriving arts community. The Lowell office also covers Lawrence, an old mill town with a mix of colonial and industrial history and modern immigrant cultures.