Job Description

Requisition No: 876804

Agency: Justice Administrative Commission

Working Title: PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, 20TH CIRCUIT- INVESTIGATOR I - 21003655

Pay Plan: Public Defndrs JAC

Position Number: 21003655

Salary: $40,000.00 - $45,000.00

Posting Closing Date: 07/28/2026

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Are you looking for a rewarding role within an organization where you can earn competitive compensation and have access to a comprehensive benefits package? The Law Offices of the Public Defender, 20th Judicial Circuit, may be the place for you! The agency is seeking qualified applicants for an Investigator I position.

The starting salary for the position is $40,000 to $45,000 annually, dependent upon experience and qualifications.

To learn more about the Law Offices of the Public Defender, 20th Judicial Circuit, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/company/office-of-the-public-defender-20th-judicial-circuit/ or www.pd20.org

To learn more about benefits offered to eligible employees, visit: https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/

The agency strongly encourages applicants to attach a resume, as well as 2 - 3 professional references.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILTIES

The primary responsibility of an Investigator is conducting investigations of felony, misdemeanor, and juvenile cases, and supporting the agency’s attorneys in preparing their client’s defense. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Conducting field investigations.
• Photographing evidence and crime scenes and preparing related diagrams/charts/graphs as requested by the attorney.
• Requesting records from various agencies and organizations and obtaining releases from clients as necessary in order to request the appropriate records.
• Overseeing investigative requests from attorneys within the agency in a timely manner.
• Locating and interviewing witnesses and obtaining statements if requested by the attorney.
• Locating clients in accordance with agency guidelines.
• Questioning individuals and gathering and analyzing information in support of potential defenses.
• Interviewing clients, including clients in jail.
• Interviewing juvenile clients in juvenile detention.
• Serving subpoenas.
• Testifying and presenting evidence in court.
• Transporting clients on an occasional basis.
• Documenting work using the agency’s database.
• Communicating with defendants requesting the agency’s services and collaborating with them to complete an application for services.
• Performing background checks.
• Communicating effectively with various agencies within the criminal justice system as needed (e.g. Clerk of Court, jail facilities).
• Attending First Appearance hearings for newly arrested clients in an effort to proactively identify cases where investigation is needed, or immediate action is required.
• Performing related work and other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Ability to:

To effectively perform the duties of an Investigator, individuals must be able to demonstrate a number of competencies that are essential to the position, which include:

• Display high standards of ethical conduct, including professional ethics relating to confidentiality, attorney-client privilege, and relationships.
• Maintain a professional appearance and demeanor.
• Demonstrate strong work ethic and commitment to the mission of the agency.
• Maintain composure and perform effectively under stressful conditions.
• Exhibit strong analytical skills including the ability to research, organize, schedule, analyze, and present investigative findings.
• Manage multiple assignments and projects simultaneously.
• Work independently as well as work effectively with team members.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with clients, staff, witnesses, the public, and others, including with people of various backgrounds, education levels, and cultural diversity, using both verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrate and utilize knowledge of investigative techniques, interviewing skills, and observation techniques.
• Plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments by prioritizing and meeting deadlines.
• Identify problems, determine accuracy and relevance of information, use sound judgment to generate solutions and evaluate alternatives, and communicate recommendations.
• Understand the criminal justice and court system and exhibit familiarity with legal terminology.
• Understand and apply relevant rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Document case files.
• Operate office equipment, including cameras, video and digital recording equipment, voice recording devices, scanners, and copiers.
• Utilize computer systems including Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook,
• Write in a clear, articulate, and accurate manner using proper and correct English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Follow written and oral instructions and procedures.
• Travel to various locations throughout the 20th Judicial Circuit for assignments, field work, and/or training.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPIRENCE

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university in a criminal justice related field and two years’ experience in law enforcement or as an investigator, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

An equivalency diploma issued by a state department of education may be substituted for high school graduation.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze and interpret investigation requests, technical procedures, criminal history records and other reports. Demonstrate the ability to write reports, correspondence, timelines and analysis of documents. Demonstrate the ability to present oral testimony in court. Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate with clients and witnesses taking into consideration cultural diversity.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals.

REASONING ABILITY

Must be able to understand and/or perform written and/or oral instructions furnished in a variety of ways. Must be able to evaluate problems, isolate key issues, research and develop alternative solutions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to be mobile, drive, speak, hear and stand for extended periods of time. The employee is frequently required to sit and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Valid Florida Driver’s License

WORK ENVIROMENT

The noise level for this position is moderate. Work environment while conducting field work is varied.

EQUIPMENT UTILIZED

Computers, printers, copiers, scanners, telephones, calculators, cell phones, cameras, and related office equipment.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $40,000 - $45,000 per year

Benefits:

Access to the Florida Retirement System

Health/Dental/Vision/Life insurance

Generous Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

Tuition waiver

Employee Assistance Program

Schedule:

Flexible; Monday – Friday 8 am – 5 pm

Ability to commute/relocate:

Labelle, FL 33935

This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employee(s) will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.

This position description has excluded the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of essential job duties. All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills and abilities. Employees of the Office of the Public Defender are at-will employees. This document does not create employment contract, implied or otherwise, and may be revised or rescinded at any time, due to operational necessity, at the sole discretion of the Public Defender.

The Law Offices of the Public Defender, 20th Judicial Circuit, is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS at 1-844-377-1888 on how your current benefits may be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.