Criminal Investigator 1 - Athens, OH

The Office of the Ohio Public Defender is seeking a qualified Criminal Investigator 1 to serve in the Athens County Office of our Trial Services Division. You will conduct criminal fact investigations in of possible non-capital felonies and misdemeanors and assist in preparing and presenting cases at all levels of litigation including trials in Municipal, Juvenile, & Common Pleas Courts. The Trial Services Division provides client-centered representation to indigent clients facing criminal charges across the counties in Ohio. You will travel regularly throughout Athens County, and will spend time in the community, in jails, and in courthouses. The office has four staff attorneys, four core support staff, one supervising attorney, a social work assistant, and one investigator. You will report to the Office Director.

Successful candidates will have passion for working with a large team and assisting people who are facing the challenges of poverty. The preferred candidate will have professional or volunteer experience helping to pursue a fair justice system.

Essential functions of the position include but aren't limited to:

• Investigate the facts and circumstances of the alleged offense
• Interview clients
• Review case materials
• Using a variety of tools, locate, contact, and interview witnesses in the field
• Locate, contact, and interview other suspects and family members as needed
• Gather physical and documentary evidence
• Prepare and complete reports of interviews, findings, and timelines for use in trial
• Gather documentation to support the testimony of expert and lay witnesses
• View and diagram crime scenes
• Assist in identifying records to put into evidence
• Travel throughout Ohio and outside the state as necessary to locate and interview potential witnesses
• Serve as a liaison to clients' families, law enforcement, various defense witnesses, and attorneys to transmit information
• Meet regularly with others on defense team to provide updates on investigation and to collaborate with team members
• Assist with mail, court runs, or filings

The Criminal Investigator 1 position is assigned to the State of Ohio's OCSEA Pay Range 30, presented below in table format. Starting pay will be at Step 1 unless required by contract/legislation; candidates with exceptional qualifications may be considered for higher starting pay. Our steps give a standard path for earnings growth: you move to the next step after 180 days and annually thereafter. We typically have fiscal year Cost of Living Adjustments as well.

FY27 Pay Range Step 1Step 2Step 3Step 4Step 5Step 6Step 7Hourly$26.54$27.56$28.76$30.10$31.47$32.84$34.53Annual$55,203$57,325$59,821$62,608$65,458$68,307$71,822

The Office of the Ohio Public Defender complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact us at ... or ....

12 mos. trg. or 12 mos. exp. in conducting investigations of complaints or possible violations of laws & rules or agency/company policies & procedures.

• Or completion of associate degree program core coursework in law enforcement. Note: Positions in Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation may require use of proficiency demonstrations to determine Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment.
• Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above.

Job Skills: Investigation; Adaptability; Analyzation; Customer Focus; Interpreting Data; Teamwork