Investigator Position Available In Mercer, New Jersey

Job Description:

FEDERAL PUBLIC DEFENDER DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY INVESTIGATOR -TRENTON, NEW JERSEY

Closes:

Open until filled The Office of theFederal Public Defender for the District of New Jersey (FPD) isaccepting applications for an investigator position in our Trentonoffice. Pursuant to the Criminal Justice Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3006A,the office provides legal representation to indigent defendants infederal criminal cases and related matters. Investigators workunder the direction of the Federal Defender, Chief Investigator,and the case attorney, to uncover the facts to effectively advocatefor our clients at all stages of their cases, including pretrialrelease, motions, trials, sentencing, and post?sentenceproceedings. Depending on the needs of the case, investigatorsidentify, investigate, and interview witnesses and experts; locateand obtain relevant records; work with the various court agenciesincluding probation and pretrial services; assist with proffers,evidentiary hearings, trials and sentencings. Investigators shouldanticipate some work outside normal working hours and on weekends,as well as travel both within and outside of the District of NewJersey as needed for client meetings, witness interviews, recordcollection, and conferences.

PRIMARY JOB DUTIES

• Locatewitnesses, evidence, and records.
• Conduct interviews withclients, witnesses, experts, family members, and other individuals.
• Draft and serve subpoenas in accordance with office policy, laws,and professional ethics rules.
• Assist attorneys with thepreparation of demonstrative evidence to be used at hearings/trials.
• Consult with clients, family members, and otherindividuals in furtherance of representation of clients.
• Accompany attorneys to client meetings, take comprehensive notesand assist in defense strategy development.
• Photograph anddocument crime scenes and evidence.
• Prepare digests of recordsand develop additional leads of investigation or record sources.
• Analyze extensive electronic discovery and develop investigationplans using the identified facts.
• Assist with the development ofmitigation evidence based on mental health, historical,environmental and social factors.
• Write comprehensive memorandumssummarizing work product.
• Write comprehensive investigationreports based on witness interviews and findings.
• Assistattorneys in court, including testifying at court proceedings andwitness coordination.
• Advocate for clients who are facingdifficulties while incarcerated, as well as clients who are onpretrial or post?conviction supervised release to provide support,crisis intervention, and case management assistance.
• Maintainawareness of policies within and engage in contact with BOP andother corrections facilities.
• Utilize aggregation software/tools(Accurint, PC Sams, etc.) and conducts internet-based searches asrequested to thoroughly investigate all case leads.
• Conductsocial media investigations to thoroughly investigate all caseleads.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• An Associate’s Degree orBachelor’s degree (preferred).
• Three or more years ofprogressively responsible investigative experience in thefunctional areas described in the Primary Job Duties section above.
• The necessary initiative, ingenuity, resourcefulness, maturity,and judgment needed to perform the primary Job Duties to a highstandard of excellence.
• Comprehensive knowledge of fact andmitigation investigation principles, methods, and techniques.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, knowledge oflegal processes, and the ability to work in a team environment.
• Computer proficiency, including working knowledge of Word,Microsoft OneDrive, Adobe Acrobat, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams,Box.com, and investigative databases such as Accurint or TLO.
• Avalid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and applicableinsurance.
• A demonstrated commitment to and comfort working withdiverse communities and with clients from a range of backgrounds.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work in a teamenvironment.
• Knowledge of data review platforms such as Everlaw,indexing software such as dTSearch, TrialDirector, or forensicreview tools such as Cellebrite.
• Understand network and systemrequirements in evaluating potential software packages andlitigation support tools.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• English?

Spanish Bilingual language skills, or other languagefluency.

• A background in criminal defense investigations.

Additional certifications, technical skills, or other relevantexperience you have should be highlighted. All education,experience, training, and certifications will be verified. Travelto other branch offices will be required as needed. The positionwill remain open until filled. Applicants must be United Statescitizens. If an offer of employment is extended, the applicant mustcomplete a background security investigation including an FBI namesearch and IRS tax check. Fingerprints and photographs will betaken. Appointment will be subject to the applicant’s successfulcompletion of a security investigation and a favorable report.

Salary and Benefits:

Salary will be commensurate with experienceand qualifications. This position offers federal employmentbenefits, including health and life insurance, retirement, andparticipation in the Thrift Savings Plan. Salary is payable only byElectronic Funds Transfer (direct deposit). The position is”at-will” employment. This position is in the excepted service anddoes not carry the tenure rights of the competitive civil service.

How to

Apply:

Email a cover letter, resume, and three professionalreferences in one PDF document to: NJFPDResume@fd.org You mustreference “Investigator” in the subject line. No phone calls,please. Only submissions following the required format will beconsidered. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

The Office of the Federal Public Defender follows an EmployeeDispute Resolution Plan approved by the United States Court ofAppeals for the Third Circuit. We are an Equal Opportunity Employercommitted to quality representation, diversity, and inclusion. Allqualified applicants are encouraged to apply.