Chief Public Defender Investigator

Position Description

Final Filing Deadline: March 3, 2025

Exam # 25/34D78/02CJ

The Office of the Public Defender provides representation to indigent adult and juvenile individuals who cannot afford an attorney in criminal and limited civil matters. A strong and fully funded Public Defender is essential to protecting the rights of all and ensures balance throughout the criminal justice system. Public Defenders utilize the therapeutic courts to reduce recidivism by channeling non-violent offenders through Drug Court, DUI Court, Veterans Court, and mental health diversion programs. Development of alliances with justice partners to expand holistic programming is essential to the success of all residents.

The Monterey County Public Defender's Office is seeking to fill a vacancy for the Chief Public Defender Investigator position. Under general direction of the Public Defender, Chief Public Defender, and Assistant Public Defenders, the Chief Public Defender Investigator plans, organizes, administers and directs the operations and activities of the investigations division of the Public Defender's Office; performs the most sensitive and complex investigations of criminal and civil law matters that have significant legal implications and/or a high degree of publicity; assists in the development, maintenance and implementation of policies, investigation procedures and standards for the investigations division, and performs related work as required.

The Eligible List established by this recruitment process may be used to fill County-wide to fill current and future vacancies on a regular full-time, part-time, or temporary basis.

Examples of Duties

• Plans, organizes, directs, and manages the activities and operations of the investigations division; supervises, assigns, reviews and evaluates the work of investigators and support staff.
• Analyzes and makes recommendations to the Public Defender and Assistant Public Defender for changes in division rules, regulations and procedures; confers with department management in the formulation of investigative plans, policies and procedures; assures division compliance with regulatory and statutory authority, applicable departmental and professional practice through the development and implementation of operational policy and procedure; reviews and evaluates the operational impact of proposed legislation regulations.
• Oversees, coordinates, and plans the training, supervision and utilization of investigators; provides technical guidance to staff; evaluates the work performance of staff; communicates objectives and encourages accomplishments; enforces performance standards; implements cross-training, reassignment and/or disciplinary actions as appropriate and necessary; resolves personnel or case-related problems.
• Directs, conducts and participates in the work of the division including advising and assisting in, or personally conducting the most serious, sensitive, and complex investigations assigned to the division that have legal significance or high public exposure; makes decisions as to the types of investigations to be conducted and determines procedures to be used.
• Coordinates with the Public Defender, Assistant Public Defender and Chief Deputy Public Defender the review of varied cases and investigation support needs, presentations of evidence, credibility/sequence of witnesses and other matters related to pretrial preparations; discusses the requests with Deputy Public Defenders to clarify the investigation focus, and assigns based on resources, priorities, and deadlines.
• Performs all aspects of criminal investigations, including conducting interviews, investigating crime scenes, securing evidence, establishing facts, preparing reports on results of investigation and examines correspondence and reports for accuracy, pertinence and consistency with laws and regulations; prepares written and verbal reports containing facts and findings of investigation and recommendations regarding disposition of criminal and/or civil cases and testifies at hearings and trials.
• Responsible for the maintenance of annual caseload records and the preparation of statistical reports; establishes and maintains informant contacts to develop information relevant to cases; oversees the maintenance of resources and reference materials.
• Participates in the development of the strategic plan and vision for the Public Defender’s Office at the direction of the Public Defender and Assistant Public Defender and the budget development of the investigations division.
• Maintains and upgrades professional knowledge, skills, and development by attending seminars and training programs and presenting relevant topics to the investigations division.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Thorough Knowledge of:

• Principles, procedures, and practices of organization, administration, and personnel management of the investigations division of the Public Defender’s Office.
• Methods, techniques, and procedures with crime detection, and criminal investigations including gathering, preserving, and presenting evidence, basic identification techniques, and methods of operation.
• Principles and practices of personnel management, including supervision, corrective measures, evaluation, training, and development.
• Laws governing arrest, search and seizure, rules of interrogation, rights of citizens, rules of evidence, service of subpoenas; regulations regarding juveniles, laws, regulations, and procedures regarding conservatorship, custody, and mental health proceedings, and courtroom procedures in felony, misdemeanor, and juvenile court or jury trial matters.

Working Knowledge of:

• Administrative principles and practices on the development and implementation of policies and procedures and goal settings.
• Computer applications and hardware related to performance of the essential functions of the position.
• Ethical and professional standards of conduct.

Skill and Ability to:

• Plan, direct, organize, and coordinate the day-to-day affairs and activities of a staff of investigators providing support to Deputy Public Defenders in the defense of a wide range of criminal cases.
• Select, plan, organize, assign, direct, review, and evaluate the work of staff; motivate staff, supporting and providing training and professional development; analyze and resolve office administrative situations and problems.
• Use tact, discretion, initiative, and independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments with minimal direction.
• Apply logical thinking to solve problems or accomplish tasks; understand, interpret, and communicate complicated policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Use good judgment when dealing with others in a variety of stressful and non-stressful situations.
• Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Analyze and determine priorities and importance of various types of evidence situations; effectively, interpret and apply laws and regulations, and recommend effective courses of action; appraise and organize facts, evidence, strategy, and tactics in the most complex cases, which may include capital case defense.
• Build and maintain constructive working relationships with all encountered during work characterized by a high level of acceptance, cooperation, and mutual respect inclusive of position and diverse cultural, ethnic, gender, demographics, and individual uniqueness.
• Maintain high professional standards and observe ethics of defense investigations; ensure that the investigation staff conforms to applicable State and Federal laws, rules, and regulations.
• Use laptop and personal computers, word processing programs, and access the internet; learn computer programs and databases; use computer presentation software.
• Maintain confidentiality and objectivity.

To view the complete classification description, please visit the County of Monterey website: Chief Public Defender Investigator Class Spec (Download PDF reader)

Examples of Experience/Education/Training

Any combination of training, education and/or experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities and required conditions of employment is qualifying. An example of a way these requirements might be acquired is:

Experience: Five (5) years of experience as an investigator in a governmental agency of a Public Defender, Prosecuting Attorney, or in a Sheriff's or police investigation bureau, which must include two (2) years' experience in a supervisory or administrative capacity.

OR

A combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, supervisory experience, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

AND

Education: Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, Administration of Justice, Criminology, Public Administration, Sociology, Psychology or related fields.

Additional Information

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The required conditions of employment include, but are not limited to the following:

• Possess and maintain a valid California Driver's License.
• Be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and during times of disaster and/or emergency.

BENEFITS:

The County of Monterey offers an excellent benefits package. Please visit our website to view the X & ZX Unit Employee Benefit Summary Sheet. This information is not legally binding, nor does it serve as a contract. The benefits listed in the Monterey County Personnel Policies and Practices Resolution or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) prevail over this listing.

NOTES:

• As a condition of employment, prospective employees may be required to submit to a background review which may include a review of information concerning present and/or prior employment, driving record, and record of any criminal convictions.
• Employment is contingent upon acceptable documentation verifying identity and authorization for employment in the U.S.; a list of acceptable documents is available on the USCIS Form I-9.
• If you are hired into this classification in a temporary position, your rate of pay will be hourly, and you will not be eligible for the benefits listed in the summary.

Application and Selection Procedures

Apply On-Line at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/montereycounty

By Monday, March 3, 2025, at 11:59 PM(PST)

or

Hard copy applications may be obtained from and submitted during normal business hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM by contacting:

Human Resources Department

Attn: Cynthia Juarez, Human Resources Analyst II

168 West Alisal St.

Salinas, CA 93901

Email: juarezc@countyofmonterey.gov Phone: (831) 755-5228

The selection process is tentative, and applicants will be notified if changes are made. To assess applicants' possession of required qualifications, the examination process may include an oral examination, pre-examination exercises, performance examination, and/or written examination. The competitive examination process includes submittal of required application materials. A complete application package will include:

• A completed County of Monterey Employment Application

• Responses to the Supplemental Questions

Applicants who fail to provide all required materials by the final filing deadline will not be considered. Resumes, cover letters, letters of interest, and other correspondence will not be accepted as a substitute for required application materials. All required application materials will be competitively evaluated. Those applicants that are determined to be the most appropriately qualified will be invited to participate further in the selection process.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

Monterey County is a drug-free workplace and an equal opportunity employer. The County seeks candidates who can make contributions in an environment of cultural and ethnic diversity. Monterey County is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact Cynthia Juarez, Human Resources Analyst II, at (831) 755-5228, or juarezc@countyofmonterey.gov.