Investigator-Public Defender

Salary: See Position Description
Location : Carson City, NV
Job Type: FULL-TIME
Job Number: 710_03/2025
Department: Public Defender
Opening Date: 03/11/2025
Closing Date: Continuous

Description

This is a full-time, FLSA non-exempt position with the Carson City Public Defender's Office. Under general supervision, performs a variety of complex and sensitive field service and legal investigative work relating to the defense of adult criminal cases, juvenile delinquencies and termination of parental rights cases.

Individuals may choose between the following PERS Retirement plans:
Employer-Paid PERS Retirement: $33.2527 - 46.5538 hourly / $69,165.72 - 96,831.80 annually
Employee/Employer-Paid PERS Retirement: $39.4637 - 55.2492 hourly / $82,084.60 - 114,918.44 annually
To learn more about the Nevada Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS),

In addition to an outstanding retirement plan, this position is afforded the excellent benefits set forth in the Carson City Employees Association labor contract:

Please Note: Human Resources determines whether or not you meet the minimum qualifications for the job based on your experience as you describe it on your application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write "See Attached Resume" on your application. We do not review resumes, unless specifically stated on the job announcement. Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the "Education and Work Experience" section of the application. Applicants not meeting these requirements will not be considered for employment.

** This recruitment will remain open until recruitment needs are satisfied. Individuals are encouraged to apply immediately, as hiring may occur early in the recruiting process. Recruitment will close without notice when a sufficient number of applications are received or a hiring decision has been made. **
Examples of Duties

This class specification lists the major duties and requirements of the job and is not all-inclusive. Incumbent(s) may be expected to perform job-related duties other than those contained in this document and may be required to have specific job-related knowledge and skills.

• Discovers the location of witnesses and other persons involved in various legal situations by using various tracing methods such as contacting law enforcement agencies, utilities, credit services, other governmental agencies, friends, and family members.
• Takes statements from victims, witnesses, defendants, and others connected to a specific case.
• Requests, receives, and reviews information regarding law enforcement investigations, including laboratory data, police reports, photographs, and other materials pertinent to cases being investigated.
• Analyzes reports to identify relevant legal issues.
• Locates and serves subpoenas and other legal documentation to individuals, partnerships, and corporations.
• Conducts detailed, independent investigations under the direction of an attorney.
• Transports individuals involved with cases and witnesses.
• Records and maintains chain of evidence and transports to evidence storage location.
• Photographs, sketches, and reconstructs crime scenes.
• May testify in court as required.
• Provides information to the public over the telephone and in person regarding rules and regulations relating to the investigative area to which assigned.
• Maintains accurate records of cases and service; and prepares investigative and administrative reports as required.
• Locates absent parents, witnesses, defendants, and serves various legal documents.
• Contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of the Public Defender's Office to its clients by offering suggestions and participating as an active member of a work team.
• Uses standard office equipment, including a computer, in the course of the work.
• Drives a personal or City motor vehicle to visit sites under investigation and transport witnesses and others.
• Demonstrates courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with clients, public, and staff; and acts in a manner that promotes a harmonious and effective workplace environment.

Typical Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Education and Experience:
Equivalent to an Associate's degree in law enforcement, criminal justice, or related area; AND three (3) years of experience in performing criminal and/or civil investigations in a public agency or in a sworn law enforcement role; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience as determined by Human Resources.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS:

• Valid driver's license
• Prior law enforcement experience preferred

Required Knowledge and Skills
Knowledge of:

• Policies, procedures, and regulations of the criminal justice system.
• Law enforcement terminology and methods, including rules of civil and criminal procedures.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Nevada Revised Statutes and the elements of criminal offenses, juvenile delinquency, and parental rights; the practices and procedures for the collection, identification, and storage of evidence; and thorough knowledge of research methods.
• Record keeping principles and practices.
• Techniques for dealing with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, in person and over the telephone, often where relations may be confrontational or strained.
• Correct business English, including spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Computer applications related to the work.

Skill in:

• Applying and explaining federal, state, and local laws related to the service and enforcement of civil process.
• Conducting criminal investigations independently and effectively.
• Remaining calm and taking appropriate action in tense or hazardous situations.
• Making sound independent judgment in emergency or crisis situations.
• Making rapid, sound independent judgments within legal and procedural guidelines.
• Maintaining accurate records and files.
• Preparing clear and concise written reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
• Contributing effectively to the accomplishment of a team or work unit goals, objectives, and activities.
• Dealing successfully with the public, in person and over the telephone, often where relations may be confrontational or strained.
• Assisting victims or witnesses of crimes with progression through the criminal justice system, juvenile delinquency system, and termination of parental rights system in a timely and reasonable manner.
• Evaluating workflow and effectively prioritizing multiple tasks, projects and demands.

Supplemental Information

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:
Under General Supervision - Incumbents at this level are given assignments and objectives that are governed by specifically outlined work methods and a sequence of steps, which are explained in general terms. The responsibility for achieving the work objectives, however, rests with a superior. Immediate supervision is not consistent, but checks are integrated into work processes and/or reviews are frequent enough to ensure compliance with instructions. This type of direction is normally reserved for journey level positions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Mobility to work in a typical office setting, use standard office equipment and stamina to sit for extended periods of time; strength to lift and carry up to 20 pounds; strength to restrain and/or eject individuals; vision to read printed materials; and hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the telephone; exposure to traffic conditions and external environment when traveling from one office to another.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

All new employees serve a probationary period of twelve (12) months. Such employees are not subject to the collective bargaining agreement and may be laid off or discharged during this period for any reason, or no reason.

Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation.

Employees may be required to stay at or return to work during emergencies to perform duties specific to this classification or to perform other duties as requested in an assigned response position. This may require working a non-traditional work schedule or working outside normal assigned duties during the incident and/or emergency.

Employees may be required to complete Incident Command System training as a condition of continued employment.

New employees are required to submit to a fingerprint-based background investigation which cost the new employee $47.00 and a drug screen which costs $36.50. Employment is contingent upon passing the background and the drug screen.

Carson City participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each applicant's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. All candidates who are offered employment with Carson City must complete Section 1 of the Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity prior to starting employment. Please be prepared to provide required documentation as soon as possible after the job offer is made. For additional information regarding acceptable documents for this purpose, please contact Human Resources at 775.887.2103 or go to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services web page at www.ucis.gov.

Carson City is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Following is an overview of the benefit package offered to employees in this job classification.
No Nevada state income tax
Nevada Public Employees Retirement System contributions based on employee election
No Social Security
Medicare deduction of 1.45%
Eleven paid holidays
Annual leave
Sick leave
Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
Worker's Compensation
Employee assistance plan
Deferred Compensation (457b) plans available
Voluntary additional insurance plans available
Flexible spending (IRS 125) plans available

For additional information, please contact Human Resources at (775) 887-2103.