Investigator

Why Join Our Team The Investigator performs professional investigative work to obtain information about cases to assist defense attorneys in the Public Advocate’s Office. Responsibilities include interviewing and communicating with witnesses and clients; gathering and evaluating information and evidence; reviewing statements for factual accuracy or inconsistencies; obtaining mitigation information to support sentencing considerations; serving subpoenas at the direction of attorneys; providing testimony in court when required; communicating case events, hearings, and trial schedules to clients and witnesses; assisting in the preparation of court documents; and maintaining organized records, files, and investigative materials. How You Will Make an Impact In this investigator role, you will make a meaningful impact by uncovering critical facts, building trust with clients, and ensuring attorneys have the information needed to provide the strongest possible defense. You will conduct thorough interviews with clients, witnesses, and other individuals connected to a case, asking detailed follow-up questions, identifying inconsistencies, and documenting findings accurately to help shape case strategy. By approaching every interaction with professionalism, respect, and empathy, you will build rapport with clients in a variety of settings and help ensure their stories are fully understood and represented. You will strengthen case preparation by investigating all relevant facts, maintaining close communication with attorneys and defense team members, gathering records, locating witnesses, serving subpoenas, and developing mitigation evidence that provides important context about a client's background and circumstances. You will also examine crime scenes and other relevant locations, document evidence through photographs, maps, diagrams, and other exhibits, and arrange evidence reviews when needed. Your attention to detail and commitment to uncovering the truth will directly support negotiations, hearings, sentencing proceedings, and trial preparation. Through ongoing training and professional development, you will stay current on investigative techniques, legal developments, and best practices in public defense investigation. Ultimately, you will make an impact by ensuring no important fact goes unexplored, no client feels unheard, and every case benefits from a thorough, objective, and compassionate investigation that helps attorneys advocate effectively and pursue fair outcomes.

A full job description with additional details is linked below:

Investigator What You Need to Succeed in this Role Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, sociology, political science, or a related field and at least one year of experience as an investigator, in law enforcement or public defense, or as a paralegal, or closely related area. Comparable combination of education and experience may be considered. Must successfully complete pre-employment background process. Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license or be able to arrange necessary and timely transportation for field travel.

Working knowledge of South Dakota law and law enforcement policies and procedures. Knowledge of principles, methods, and techniques of criminal investigation including gathering, preserving, and presenting evidence. Knowledge of effective interviewing methods and techniques. Ability to work effectively with witnesses of the criminal justice system. Ability to demonstrate cultural mindfulness in all communications. Ability to understand and follow written and verbal directions. Knowledge of and skill in using technology and related software systems. Effective verbal and written communication. Ability to build and maintain positive, collaborative relationships with coworkers, other agencies, and the public. Present a professional appearance and communicate with others in a respectful and approachable way.

Benefits

Insurance

• Coverage effective 1st of the month following 30 days of employment.
• Available for employees and dependents.

Health/Prescription - Minnehaha County's health benefit plan offers low deductibles with two network options for coverage: Avera or Sanford. The county pays for 75% of the premium rates. Pharmacy benefits included.

Dental - Minnehaha County offers dental insurance through Delta Dental which covers 100% of diagnostic and preventative services.

Life Insurance - Minnehaha County provides a $15,000 basic life insurance policy for every full-time employee along with and additional $15,000 accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) benefit. Additional term life insurance and AD&D may be purchased by employees for themselves and dependents through payroll deduction.

Retirement

Retirement Plan - Minnehaha County participates in the South Dakota Retirement System. Employees receive a 6% match (8% for certified law enforcement). Other SDRS benefits include long term disability. Employees are vested after 3 years of continuous employment.

Deferred Compensation Plan - Employees may choose to save additional funds toward retirement on a pre-tax or after-tax (Roth IRA) basis through our supplemental retirement program.

Paid Time Off

Paid Time Off (PTO) - earn approximately 130 hours annually, with increasing accruals with each year of service. PTO available beginning on day one.

Holiday Leave - 12 days per calendar year

Extended Sick Leave - approximately 65 hours per year

Flexible Spending Plan

Flexible Spending Reimbursement Accounts (FSA) - Minnehaha County offers FSA for Health Care and Dependent Care. This is a great way to put money aside for health and dependent care costs on a pre-tax basis.

Eye Med Vision Policy

Eye Med Insight Network - Minnehaha County offers a vision plan for employees and dependents! The plan offers low premiums with a frame or lens allowance of up to $130 per year and an annual eye exam. Choose from participating retailers such as Pearle Vision, Target Optical, LensCrafters and many others!