Investigator/Process Server 2 - DAC & PDC

Description

This is a full-time position (40 hours per week). Limited potential for remote work. Summary

Why It's a Great Opportunity:

As a highly skilled Investigator / Process Server professional, you will be responsible for the investigation of all case types being represented by the Pierce County Department of Assigned Counsel and the Pierce County Public Defense Conflict Office. Clients are often in the most stressful situation of their lives and may have limited insight into their situation. Your role may act as a liaison between the appointed attorney and the client, which is crucial to maintaining a collaborative relationship and successful outcomes.

Why It's a Great Department:

The mission of the Department of Assigned Counsel is to provide and administer the public defense delivery system in Pierce County in a manner that ensures eligible people receive professional and effective representation while efficiently utilizing public resources. The Department of Assigned Counsel has provided professional, high-quality representation to individuals in a variety of settings for 50 years. The mission of the Public Defense Conflict Office is to provide and administer the public defense delivery system in Pierce County in a manner that ensures eligible individuals receive professional and effective representation.

About the Department of Assigned Counsel: The Department of Assigned Counsel is responsible for the delivery of mandated legal services to indigent persons accused of crimes in Pierce County Superior Court, Pierce County District Court, Delinquency, as well as providing representation to indigent persons in matters of Involuntary Civil Commitment, Contempt, and RCW 71.01 Cases. The Department of Assigned Counsel also represents individuals in Tacoma Municipal Court. About the Public Defense Conflict Office: The Public Defense Conflict Office (PDC) is responsible for handling criminal matters in the Pierce County court system that may constitute a conflict of interest for the Department of Assigned Counsel (DAC), primarily in Pierce County Superior Court, and also Pierce County District Court and Delinquency.

How to be Successful in the Role:

Bring your detail oriented investigative and technical writing skills for drafting grammatically correct and compelling mitigation packages, and you will succeed in this position. Understanding and applying attorney-client privilege is essential, as you will navigate sensitive situations on a daily basis. You must have the ability to take direction, investigate, review, and independently write complex reports accurately and in a timely manner; so being a self-starter who is organized and self-motivated is a must. Use effective verbal and adept written communication skills while working with team members to ensure all procedures are followed and work is completed professionally, with empathy, and to professionally recognized standards.

Your Future in this Role:

In this position, you will develop professional networks with attorneys, courts, and agencies and strive to provide a high standard of investigative and case processing work. Your work will directly impact your community, and it offers a great foundation for future positions within Pierce County.

Core Daily Responsibilities:

• Receive and review reports of alleged client conduct, and proceed to investigate, interview witnesses, gather documents, and work with local police agencies, attorneys, and other related agencies.
• Investigate all case types as assigned by the department.
• Serve subpoenas and other required documents on witnesses as required.
• Write grammatically correct and detailed written reports, recommend, and execute procedures for case development as outlined by attorney, gather evidence as required and testify in court when required.
• Assist attorneys with more difficult and most complex cases.
• Interview clients, family members, witnesses, and other related parties involved in the case.
• Schedule and/or attend meetings with all parties involved in case.
• Take photographs, draw sketches, and prepare exhibits for trial preparation.
• Research and prepare social histories. Assist in mitigation investigation and report writing, as well as three strikes social histories.
• Prepare and maintain case files, records, and related documents.
• Prepare finalized mitigation reports for the court as requested by attorney.
• Use electronic discovery management system to assist clients with case information review.

A classification description with a more detailed list of essential functions can be found here. Minimum Qualifications

• Any combination of education or experience in police science, criminology, law and justice, or related fields may substitute equally for the recruiting requirements.
• Three or more years of experience in investigative, law enforcement, criminology, or related field.
• Grammatically correct investigative report writing and defense investigation experience are required.
• Please attach a current resume, cover letter, and a writing sample with your application. Failure to attach these will result in an incomplete application.

Preferred Qualifications

• Training and experience in mitigation and preparation of three strikes social histories, especially in Public Defense.
• Washington State Private Investigator license.

Special Requirements and/or Qualifications:

• Must possess or have the ability to obtain a Washington State Driver's License.
• This position is subject to possible hazardous and hostile working conditions.

As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed case-by-case and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration. Supplemental Information

How to Apply:

• Complete and submit a detailed online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting “APPLY” above or visiting www.piercecountywa.gov/jobs.
• If you have questions about this opportunity, email the Recruitment Team at PCHRRecruit@piercecountywa.gov and include the job number and title.
• Individuals who need accommodation in the application or interview process may contact Human Resources at (253) 798-7480 at least two days prior to the need.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship.

Our Recruitment Practices:

This is a competitive and meritorious selection process. Pierce County applications are reviewed by human hiring staff in accordance with the qualifications listed for the position. Pierce County understands applicants may use AI tools when preparing application materials. We recognize these tools can make the process easier; however, we ask that everything you submit genuinely reflects your own experience, skills, knowledge, and writing style. During the interview process, you may be asked to demonstrate your skills, including writing and subject knowledge, and to speak to your experience in your own voice. Applicants should be prepared to respond to interview questions without relying on AI-generated responses or reading prepared answers from a screen. Any misrepresentation may result in disqualification or separation. Applicants whose qualifications most closely align with the County’s needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status typically occurs within two to three weeks after the closing date. Some applicants may receive short notice to participate in additional selection steps, which may include assessments, phone screens, or interviews. Upon offer, compensation is based on a range of job-related factors, including the requirements of the role, your skills and experience, and internal pay equity.

Our Welcoming Workplace Commitment:

Pierce County is committed to fostering a Welcoming Workplace where employees are supported, respected, and able to thrive. We believe a strong public workforce is representative of the community it serves and that fair and just access to opportunity strengthens public service. Guided by the County Executive’s Forward Together mission, Pierce County works to build communities that are safe, welcoming, and connected. This same commitment shapes how we recruit, develop, and retain our employees. County employees make a direct and visible impact in the lives of residents every day, and we invite you to join us in helping keep Pierce County a place people are proud to call home.

Benefits

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Pierce County offers a competitive benefits package that offers flexibility and peace of mind. We are proud to offer Employee Resource Groups, a focus on professional development in our Leadership Training Program, and a County Book Club.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career and that your priority is making sure that you and your family maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Our benefits:

Vacation (Annual Leave) After approximately six months, employees receive six days of vacation leave. Since we value your experience, the amount of vacation you can accrue increases the longer you work with us. Vacation accrues on a bi-weekly basis for full-time employees as follows:

Vacation Accruals:

During years 1-3, 12 Days During years 4-7, 16 Days During years 8-13, 20 Days During years 14-18, 23 Days During years 19, 24 Days During years 20, 25 Days During years 21, 26 Days During years 22, 27 Days During years 23, 28 Days During years 24, 29 Days During years 25 & thereafter, 30 Days

A maximum of 45 days may be carried from one year into the next. Pro-Rated for Part-Time based on % of 1.0 FTE.

Military Leave:

Pierce County has a proud history of supporting the armed forces and provides members of the armed forces with up to 21 days paid military leave per state fiscal year.

Holidays:

Some full-time employees are entitled to eleven paid holidays as follows:

New Year's Day - January 1 Martin Luther King, Jr's birthday - Third Monday in January President's Day - Third Monday in February Memorial Day - Last Monday in May Juneteenth - June 19 Independence Day - July 4 Labor Day - First Monday in September Veteran's Day - November 11 Thanksgiving Day - Fourth Thursday in November & Friday after Christmas Day - December 25

Personal Holidays:

Regular full-time and regular part-time employees, and employees occupying limited duration positions, shall also receive two additional paid personal holidays. Paid personal holidays shall only accrue for those employees on County payroll as of January 1 of each year or the first work day following January 1 and must be taken during the calendar year in which it was accrued.

Furlough:

Some Pierce County employees may be designated to receive 10 "furlough" days per year in lieu of holidays. Furlough days are available for use on January 1 and must be scheduled and taken within the calendar year. Employees who leave employment with Pierce County must reimburse the employer for used furlough days based upon the number of remaining holidays.

Sick Leave:

Sick leave accrues on a bi-weekly basis, at the rate of one day per month.

Insurance Benefits:

Employees and families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with very affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout Pierce County. Employees are eligible to enroll each year in a flexible spending plan, which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care and dependent care expenses. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in supplemental life and long term disability insurance plans. To view premium rates, summary of benefit coverage, and other information, please visit the Pierce County Health Benefits website.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation:

Pierce County employees are members of the State of Washington's Department of Retirement System (DRS) and depending on the position or previous DRS enrollment will be able to enroll in one of many programs DRS offers. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Nationwide Deferred Compensation Plan. This is a supplemental retirement savings program that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security:

All Pierce County employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The county and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

ORCA Passport Program Pierce County employees may participate in the County's ORCA (One Regional Card for All) Passport program.Your Pierce County issued ORCA card is loaded with an annual Passport pass. The pass automatically renews every year. The pass will provide you with free transportation on regularly scheduled service on several public transit systems.

Miscellaneous Benefits:

Please visit Pierce County's Benefits website for more information.

Telework/Remote Options:

Some departments allow for telework or work-from-home options dependent on the body of work. Learn more about our telework policy here. **All employees are required to be WA State residents after 30 days of employment.

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.