Field Investigator - Portland

If you are a current State of Maine employee, please submit your application through the internal application process using the Find Jobs report in PRISM. Seasonal employees who do not have PRISM access should apply through the State’s career page and indicate on the application that they have previously worked for the State.

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Maine Commission on Public Defense Services

Casco Bay Region

Opening Date: August 17, 2026

Closing Date: August 31, 2026

Grade / Admin Unit: 22 / Professional / Technical

Job Class Code: 0067
Salary: $47,174.40 - $65,832.00 / Annually
Position Number: 200025241

Location: Portland

Telework: None

Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Field Investigator’s duties will include but are not limited to the following: Collaborate with Defenders to plan and conduct investigations related to misdemeanor and felony cases and parent defense cases. Review case information, police reports, Department of Health and Human Services reports, child interviews, photographs, supporting documents, forensic evidence and witness statements to identify needed investigation. Work independently to identify, locate, and record interviews with witnesses, complainants, defendants and others; issue subpoenas and serve legal processes; identify, document, collect, and preserve physical evidence; answer questions and explain court procedures as needed. The field investigator will be responsible for accurate report writing and other written communications, as well as visiting and documenting relevant case and crime scenes, documenting physical evidence, developing exhibits for hearings and trials, and testifying in court as a fact witness and as an expert when necessary. The field investigator will need to manage their time and case load efficiently to meet deadlines and conduct timely investigations.

KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Knowledge of state and federal laws, rules, and regulations applicable to and enforced by assigned agency.
• Knowledge of interviewing and investigative techniques and practices.
• Knowledge of research methods, techniques, and practices.
• Ability to analyze facts and data, reach logical conclusions, and make sound recommendations.
• Ability to prepare comprehensive investigative reports.
• Ability to negotiate settlements and prepare agreements.
• Ability to understand, and explain laws, rules, regulations, and major court decisions.
• Ability to remain calm and maintain order in emotionally charged situations.
• Ability to work with a large caseload.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

A six (6) year combination of education and experience providing paralegal, investigative, mediation, research, and/or analytical skills.

LICENSING/REGISTRATION/CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Must possess and maintain a valid Maine driver’s license.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Please submit a cover letter along with a current resume and three (3) professional references.

In order for us to properly determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for any posting, you must be sure your resume includes the month and year for any relevant experience listed. Your resume should include the duties and responsibilities associated with each position. Any experience that was not full-time employment should be identified as such.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For more information or questions specific to the position, please contact View email address on aiapply.co

The selected candidate will be required to pass the required background checks (fingerprinting may be required) as a condition of employment.

Benefits of working for the State of Maine:

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Balance – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.

• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($11,857.68-$13,950.24 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.

• Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements .

• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($365.28 annual value).

• Retirement Plan – The State of Maine contributes 14.06% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.

• Gym Membership Reimbursement – Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense.

• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts – Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses.

• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness – The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office .

• Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.

• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receive forty-two (42) consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave . Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act .

• Voluntary Deferred Compensation – Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions.

State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package , covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than full-time.

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics.

If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Thinking about applying?

Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your experience and passion set you apart.

If you require a paper application, please download and print one HERE

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If you are unable to complete the online application, please contact the Human Resources representative listed on the job opening you are interested in applying for. They will work with you for an alternative method of submitting.