Investigator 1

Salary : $49,899.20 - $74,838.40 Annually
Location : Clovis/Portales, NM
Job Type: Career Appointment, Full-Time
Job Number: 10109444
Unit: 9th District-Clovis/Portales
Opening Date: 06/16/2026
Closing Date: 7/19/2026 11:59 PM Mountain


Objectives Summary


The objective summary of this job classification is to assist in the investigation of the facts of a case to assist the attorney in developing a defense for clients charged with crimes in New Mexico.
For more information about living in Clovis, NM, .
For more information about living in Portales, NM, click here.

Our department offers flexible work opportunities, including teleworking (a.k.a. working from home) and work schedules outside the typical 8 am to 5 pm schedule. Applicants selected for a position are encouraged to discuss these options with the hiring manager early in the hiring process to ensure the specifics of any terms and conditions of an approved flexible work arrangement are clearly understood.
Essential Functions

• Working under the guidance of an attorney or Investigator 2 to investigate the facts of a case and to assist the attorney in developing a defense for clients charged with crimes in New Mexico.
• Conduct interviews, obtain statements regarding investigated issues; collects information involving agreements, documents, financial records, physical aspects and other evidence relating to corporations and individuals being investigated.
• Investigate and reply to correspondence regarding hearings, accidents, and other legal matters.
• Perform work that must be "undercover" in order to get information or to observe a subject or witness inconspicuously.
• Using photographic and video cameras, binoculars, cell phones and GPS systems, investigators gather information on an individual.
• Visit, photograph, document and recreate scenes of alleged incidents with or without the assigned attorney
• Investigators perform physical surveillance, which may be high tech or low tech.
• Assist attorneys with trial preparation and testify at trial or hearings as needed.
• Reports of criminal cases ensuring completeness and proper application of the governing laws or regulations.
• Review discovery in the analysis of criminal cases
• Assist in the tactical analysis of complex criminal cases and organizes large amounts of diverse information into concise analytical form; create charts, graphs and spreadsheets to characterize criminal activities and determine appropriate methods of analysis; provide criminal strategic analysis and recommend actions based on findings.
• Review chain of custody forms, review manner in which police or laboratories gathered evidence to find flaws or mishandling of evidence.
• Obtain and utilize knowledge of general aspects of crime-scene management in the digital age vs. physical evidence.
• Assist in the training of staff in investigating procedures, interrogation, and factual analysis.
• Review evidence for possible cross-contamination.
• Coordinate with administrative support staff to best serve the needs of the client and case.
• Serve subpoenas
• Maintains accurate files of correspondence and materials relating to investigation assignments.
• Draft/produce written records and reports
• This classification may be required to report to a judicial partner's building or office. Which may include Courthouses, District Attorney Offices, Detention Centers and/or Correctional Facilities. To perform the essential functions an incumbent in this classification may be required to successfully complete a 3rd party background check conducted by a judicial partner.

Minimum Qualifications


Associate's degree from an accredited college or university in Business and Administration, Criminology, Criminal Justice, Police Science or other related field and two (2) years of job related experience. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling four (4) years may substitute for the required education and experience.
Employment Requirements


Must possess and maintain a valid driver's License.

Employment eligibility to work with the Law Offices of the Public Defender (LOPD) in the U.S. is required. We are not able to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.

Collective Bargaining: This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to.

Default FLSA: Non-exempt

The Law Offices of the Public Defender is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis on race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, spousal affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, political affiliation or religion, mental or physical disability, or serious medical condition.

This job advertisement may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

Preference may be given to multilingual applicants fluent in English and other languages.
The State's General Services Department Risk Management Division, Employee Benefits Bureau (EBB), is responsible for the procurement and oversight of employee benefits - including Medical, Pharmacy, Dental, Vision, Short & Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance. The State's Group Benefits Plan also offers COBRA, Flexible Spending Account Programs, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Erisa Administrative Services, Inc. (Erisa) is the State's Third Party Administrator. They provide benefits administration to all plan participants, and offer knowledgeable staff to answer your questions. To learn more about the benefits available please


In addition to the benefits listed above, the Law Offices of The Public Defender offers a retirement plan and a medical program for retirees. For more information regarding the plan you can visit the following websites:
Total Compensation Package


As an employee of the Law Offices of the Public Defender (LOPD), you receive regular pay for your services. The other part of your total compensation is the value of the benefits LOPD makes available to you and, if applicable, your family. The Total Compensation Estimator is for illustrative purposes only and provides benefits-eligible employees an estimate of their total compensation based on selected options from the drop-downs in the estimator.

• Please to download the Total Compensation Estimator on our , Join Our Team section.

This estimator is not a legal document. All benefits are governed by the actual benefit plans, which have precedence over the information reported in this calculator. Rates are not guaranteed and may change annually based on legislative decisions. If you have any questions about this estimator, don't hesitate to get in touch with Human Resources at
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New Mexico state minimum wage is $12.00 per hour effective January 1, 2023. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour effective July 24, 2009. More information can be read at

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Please contact for questions.
01


Please indicate the highest level of education you have completed. If you have responded that you have an education higher than a high school diploma or GED, you must attach a copy of your official/unofficial transcript(s) that clearly state the type of degree and date awarded/conferred, institution name, and applicant name and is in a format that cannot be modified.

• Doctorate
• Master's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Associates Degree or Technical/Vocational Certificate
• High School Diploma or GED
• Less than a High School Diploma or GED

02


How many total years of experience do you have documented in the Work Experience section of your application related to this Job Classification?Please NOTE: If the years of experience that you indicate below cannot be found in the Work Experience section of this application, your application may not be eligible for further consideration. It is recommended that you attach documents that support your work experience at this time. If you are attempting to attach documents, but are unable to, you should email View email address on click.appcast.io, with the documents and your contact information. Or if selected for an interview, you should bring the documents to your interview.

• 10 years of experience
• 9 years of experience
• 8 years of experience
• 7 years of experience
• 6 years of experience
• 5 years of experience
• 4 years of experience
• 3 years of experience
• 2years of experience
• 1 year of experience
• 6 Months
• 3 Months
• None

03


Investigator
Please choose the level that best describes your familiarity in acquiring metadata and digital evidence?

• Advanced
• Intermediate
• Beginner
• Not Familiar

04


Briefly describe the websites and/or software applications used to access the court websites and how you obtained this experience. Please note if you answered "No" to the previous question, type "n/a" as your response to this question.
05


Investigator
Please choose the level that best describes your familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite to include MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint?

• Advanced
• Intermediate
• Beginner
• Not Familiar

06


Investigator
Please choose the level that best describes your familiarity in utilizing desktop/mobile mapping services?

• Advanced
• Intermediate
• Beginner
• Not Familiar

07


Investigator
How many years of experience do you have conducting or obtaining discovery for criminal litigation?

• Fifteen years or more (15+)
• Twelve to fourteen years of experience (12-14)
• Nine to eleven years of experience (9-11)
• Six to eight years of experience (6-8)
• Four to seven years of experience (4-7)
• Two to three years of experience (2-3)
• One year of experience (1)
• Less than one year of experience (<1)

08


Briefly describe when and how you obtained this experience. Please note if you answered "No" to the previous question, type "n/a" as your response to this question.
09


Investigator
How many years of experience do you have conducting witness interviews or depositions?

• Fifteen years or more (15+)
• Twelve to fourteen years of experience (12-14)
• Nine to eleven years of experience (9-11)
• Six to eight years of experience (6-8)
• Four to seven years of experience (4-7)
• Two to three years of experience (2-3)
• One year of experience (1)
• Less than one year of experience (<1)

10


Briefly describe when and how you obtained this experience. Please note if you answered "No" to the previous question, type "n/a" as your response to this question.
11


Investigator
Do you have experience conducting online research utilizing; police websites, jail websites, courts websites, and the Odyssey Public Access system?

• Yes
• No

12


Investigator
Do you have experience operating recording equipment such as; digital voice recorder, digital camera, digital video camera, and digital video recorder?

• Yes
• No

13


Please choose the level that best describes your fluency in any language(s) other than English. I understand that I may be asked to certify my language proficiency upon hire and that I may be required to provide translation services if selected for this job.

• Advanced
• Intermediate
• Beginner
• Not Familiar

14


If you chose Beginner or above in the previous question, please identify in the text box what language(s) you are fluent in. Note: If you selected Not Familiar in the previous question please write, N/A in the text box below.
15


For current State of New Mexico employees: I understand that the Law Offices of the Public Defender will only accept up to 40 hours of annual leave and all sick leave. Furthermore, upon transfer, I will begin a new probationary period regardless of a break in service from my current state agency.

• I Understand

16


I understand that my responses to the questions regarding years of experience and education will be confirmed. I have included my related work experience in the Work Experience Section of my application with a detailed description of my related duties. If I am attempting to attach documents, but unable to, I should email View email address on click.appcast.io., with the documents and my contact information. Or if selected for an interview, I may bring the documents to my interview.

• I Understand

Required Question