Public Defender Investigator - Juneau Trial Office

Position Summary

The Public Defender Investigator plans and conducts investigations for staff trial attorneys.

Salary Information

The starting salary for the PDI will be between $22.95 and $28.00/hour and is in pay schedule-range (07-04). The starting salary for the PDI-Senior will be between $27.68 and $34.84/hour and is in pay schedule-range (07-03). Pay will be set in accordance with the Compensation Plan and Wisconsin Administrative Code in effect at the time of hire. A one-year probationary period will be required.

Job Details

Background Check: We consider all qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. A criminal background check will be done prior to an offer of employment.

Eligibility to work in the US: The SPD does not sponsor work visas at the time of hire or anytime during employment. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required Employment Eligibility Form I-9.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The State of Wisconsin is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants from all backgrounds. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

Veterans: The State of Wisconsin offer a special program for qualified veterans with a 30% or greater service-connected disability. If you are a qualified veteran, please visit the Veterans Employment page for application instructions to be considered for the Veterans Non-Competitive Appointment program.

Wisconsin driver’s license: Possession of a valid WI driver's license must be maintained as a condition of employment.

Ability to testify: In an effective manner in court procedures. Testifying in an effective manner requires candidates and employees to have no criminal convictions that may allow impeachment of testimony.

Qualifications

LETTER OF QUALIFICATIONS & RESUME: You must submit both documents in order to be considered. It is important that you clearly explain and elaborate on your experience and/or training in your letter of qualifications and/or resume.

• Minimum Qualifications (Required - Candidates must have experience and/or training relevant to these areas in order to be considered for this position):
  1) Proficiency in writing detailed, clear investigative reports using common office software (e.g., Google Docs, Microsoft Word, etc.)
  2) Communicate effectively and respectfully with diverse individuals from various ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds
  3) Knowledge of the criminal justice system or equivalent
  4) Strong commitment to the mission and values of public defense
• A well-qualified candidate will also have experience and/or training in the following areas:
  1) Conducting professional-level criminal defense investigation (e.g., complex witness location, detailed interviewing, crime scene analysis, etc.)
  2) Use of investigative and legal tools such as Skopenow, Cellebrite and/or Westlaw
  3) Assisting in trial and court preparation (e.g., organizing exhibits, coordinating witnesses, serving subpoenas, testifying, etc.)
  4) Technological proficiency in evidence management or ability to learn new technologies

How To Apply

To apply, click "Apply for Job" to start the application process. That will prompt you to access your existing account or create a new account. You will be asked to attach a resume and a letter of qualifications as part of the application process. It is important that these materials clearly illustrate how your skills and experience relate to the qualifications required for this job. You can also reference the How to Apply to State Service document for more information.

If you encounter issues submitting your online application (e.g. signing in or uploading a resume), please contact the Wisc.Jobs Help Desk at (608) 267-1012 or wiscjobs@wisconsin.gov (Monday - Friday, 7:45am - 4:30pm). You can also reference the Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

Your letter of qualifications and resume are very important parts of your application and are used during our evaluation process to determine your qualifications as they relate to the job. If both of these documents are not submitted, you will not be eligible for consideration. Application materials will not be accepted if received in an email, as a hard copy or a fax.

Materials submitted by all applicants will be evaluated by one or more job experts. Candidates who are deemed eligible will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. If you require an accommodation to apply for this position, please reach out to the HR Specialist listed below.

Deadline to Apply

The deadline to apply is 11:59 pm on Friday, July 10, 2026.