Defense Investigator - Public Defender

Job Description Summary Department - Public Defense Services

Job Description

OPEN UNTIL FILLED

Job Type: Classified

Job Classification: 5458 - Defense Investigator

Salary Grade: 12

Pay Range

Hiring Range: $28.85 - $34.25 Per Hour

Pay Range: $28.85 - $39.96 Per Hour

Range Explanation:

• Hiring Range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.

• Pay Range is the entire compensation range for the position.

The first review of applications will be on 08/28/2026.

The Pima County Public Defender's Office is seeking a qualified and dedicated Defense Investigators to join its team of professionals representing adult and juvenile clients. The Defense Investigator is a skilled professional tasked with uncovering the truth and gathering evidence to support the client's defense. Duties of this position include interviewing witnesses, conducting background checks on case-involved parties, and checking the facts in police reports, all in the client's defense. Defense Investigators play a crucial role in helping defense attorneys build a strong case and are vital to ensuring a fair and just legal system.

This position performs work conducting highly complex and specialized investigations and preparing documentation for presentation in court. The duties include gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and analyzing case materials to support the defense in criminal cases, juvenile delinquency proceedings, and dependency proceedings. The ideal candidate should possess strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to upholding the principles of justice.

For more information on the Pima County Public Defense Services Department and the offices in this department, please visit their website at:

Essential Functions:

As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, this classification may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class. Work assignments may vary depending on the department’s need and will be communicated to the applicant or incumbent by the supervisor.

• Locates, identifies, and interviews clients, witnesses, and other persons, often involving sensitive or personal issues;

• Identifies, collects and processes evidence, including electronic evidence, as well as photographs crime scenes and other items of evidence;

• Interprets lab reports regarding DNA, fingerprints, tool marks, and firearms;

• Interprets specialized reports commonly used by law enforcement;

• Prepares reports to assist in defense of clients;

• Testifies in a variety of judicial proceedings;

• Serves and returns subpoenas;

• Obtains and reviews case information to determine investigative methods;

• Utilizes social media platforms for investigative purposes;

• Utilizes appropriate computer databases or records for investigate purposes.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in law enforcement, law, criminal justice or any other investigative area related to area of assignment, such as accounting, finance or computer science AND two years of investigative experience in a specialized investigative area.

(Relevant experience and/or education from an accredited college or university may be substituted.)

OR:

Five years of investigative experience, at least three years of which involved criminal investigation.

(Relevant education from an accredited college or university may substitute for a portion of the aforementioned experience.)

Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write "see resume" on your application.


Preferred Qualifications : (Be specific in describing your experience in your application. Ensure the descriptions provided illustrate your competencies, specifically addressing the required and preferred qualifications.):

• Bilingual (English/Spanish).

• Minimum three (3) years experience in law enforcement.

Selection Procedure:
Pima County Human Resources Department reserves the right to admit to the selection process only those candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. All applications will be assessed based on an evaluation of the listed education and experience. Candidates meeting the minimum qualifications may be further evaluated/scored against any advertised Preferred Qualifications. The hiring authority will interview and select the successful candidate from a referral list provided by Human Resources. Additional assessments/testing may be required as part of the selection process.

Supplemental Information:

Licenses and Certificates : Valid driver license is required at time of application. Valid AZ driver license is required at time of appointment. The successful applicant will be subject to a 39-month DOT Motor Vehicle Record review to determine applicant’s suitability to operate county vehicles in accordance with Pima County administrative procedures. Failure to obtain and maintain the required licenses and certifications shall be grounds for termination. Any offer of employment resulting from this recruitment is contingent upon Fleet Services’ review and approval of the candidate’s driving record.

Special Notice Items : The County requires pre-employment background checks. Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening to include verification of work history, education, and criminal conviction history. A prior criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify a candidate from employment with the County. Requires completion of a satisfactory personal background investigation to include verification of work history, education and criminal conviction history. This position will require post-job offer proof of immunization(s) or immunization(s) and/or a TB screening.

Physical/Sensory Requirements : Frequently operates a computer and other office equipment. Frequently observes details at close range. Frequently speaks to clients, witnesses, and other case involved parties, such as law enforcement agencies and businesses in-person and/or on the phone. Frequently drives to conduct field work. Regularly works in a professional office setting. Occasionally must lift and carry items. Occasionally remains in a stationary position. Occasionally moves about inside an office. Occasionally works outdoors. Action Activity - none that are essential; Motion Activity - none that are essential; Hearing Activity - none that are essential; Speaking Activity - in person and on the phone; Vision Activity - must be able to operate a motor vehicle.

Working Conditions : Regular, daily attendance is an essential function for this position. The Defense Investigator regularly receives and responds to telephone calls, text messages and emails. The Defense Investigator drives to visit clients at residence or at jail, locate witnesses and other case involved parties, and to conduct investigative field work. The Defense Investigator may work outdoors.

EEO Information : Pima County Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to an inclusive and diverse workforce and will not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, kinship, political interest, or any other characteristic protected by law.