Investigator 2 - Special Defense Unit

Investigator 2

This is a non-merit position. Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Enterprise.

Are you ready to make a meaningful impact through public service? The Iowa State Public Defender's Office is seeking a highly motivated, skilled, and enthusiastic individual to serve as an Investigator 2 in our Special Defense Unit office located in Polk County, Iowa.

The mission of the Office of the State Public Defender is to ensure that all indigent persons in Iowa are provided high quality legal representation in criminal, juvenile, and other eligible proceedings in the most efficient and fiscally responsible manner.

What You'll Do

• In a journey-level capacity, assist public defenders in the pretrial investigation of assigned criminal defense cases.
• Obtain and review case information to determine investigative methods; use agency specific programs to open, track, close cases, and research sources of information.
• Utilize appropriate computer databases or records to perform criminal history checks, public record searches or other research.
• Conduct field investigations and surveillance as assigned; locate and interview clients, witnesses and other persons.
• Prepare written reports, summaries and correspondence for use in the evaluation and defense of assigned cases.
• Collect, compile, analyze and preserve necessary photographic or video evidence, relevant news articles, and other physical evidence.
• Attend initial appearance and conduct initial interviews of jailed clients.
• Serve and deliver court documents, such as subpoenas, affidavits, and reports, at the direction of public defenders.
• Assist in the preparation of defense strategy, including gathering and organizing evidence and testimony in preparation for depositions and trials and locating experts in various fields and coordinating the use of expert witnesses.
• Assist in monitoring cases for conflicts and maintaining iDOCIT client information database.
• Serve as trial assistant and defense witness liaison during trials, assisting public defenders to marshal evidence and witnesses, communicate with clients and family members, and aid in jury selection process.
• May act in the capacity of a team leader occasionally to coordinate the activities of other investigators assigned to a case.
• Perform other duties as directed by the Local Public Defender Supervisor.

What We Offer

• Robust benefits, including excellent health, dental, life and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, paid holidays, and sick leave accrual.
• Opportunities for professional development.
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care.
• Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package.
• Retirement Investors Club (Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan).
• Employee Assistance Program for support when you need it most.
• Employee Discount Programs from a variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, and more)
• Access to an on-site employee fitness center (6200 Park Avenue location only).

E-Verify and Right to Work

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees' rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit

Embark on a rewarding career dedicated to public service and make a difference with us!

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

1. Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in law enforcement, corrections, criminology, police science, accounting, finance, or law, and experience equal to one year of full-time work as an investigator requiring knowledge in law enforcement, corrections, or criminal investigation.
2. Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in law enforcement, corrections, criminology, police science, accounting, finance, or law, and experience equal to one year of full-time work in the administration of a program involving application of agency unemployment insurance or public assistance benefit programs, correctional rules and regulations, and/or court or administrative hearings processes.
3. A total of five years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in number one or two), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in law enforcement, corrections, criminology, police science, accounting, finance, or law equals one year of full-time experience.
4. Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes twelve months of full-time work as an Investigator 1 or twenty-four months of full-time work as a Warehouse and Grain Dealer Examiner.

Additional Qualification Requirements

Some positions in this class may require an applicant to have the ability to pass a background investigation.