Public Defender Investigator/Trainee

The Job

SALARY INCREASES

3% Effective February 2025

3% Effective February 2026

( Salary increases contingent upon Property Related Revenue and/or

statewide Realignment Sales Tax Collections performance.)

STEP ADVANCEMENTS

Bi-annual step increases of approximately 2.5%

The Office of the Public Defender is recruiting for Public Defender Investigators who conduct difficult and complex investigations in support of Public Defender operations. Incumbents manage an assigned investigative caseload and perform a full range of criminal investigations, including those of a complex nature requiring a broad scope of investigative techniques and a high degree of initiative, judgment, and independence of action. The Law Offices of the Public Defender adopts a holistic approach to its client representation. To learn more about the Office of the Public Defender click here .

Public Defender Investigator Trainees ($64,792 - $86,985 annually) work under training conditions while acquiring the knowledge and skills required for promotion to Public Defender Investigator ($ 74,464 - $102,502 annually).

Your application will be reviewed for eligibility for the Public Defender Investigator and Public Defender Investigator Trainee levels. Job offers for the initial appointment may be made at any level based on qualifications and department needs. It is to your advantage to be explicit with your work history on your application. You may indicate your levels of interest on the supplemental questionnaire.

The resulting eligible list may be used to fill vacancies as they occur throughout San Bernardino County.

EXCELLENT BENEFITS PACKAGE

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

1) A background investigation will be conducted, including a DOJ/FBI fingerprint check and drug screening.

2) A major portion of all investigations are conducted in the field. Travel throughout the County is required. A valid California Class C driver license is required throughout employment and must be maintained. Employees in this class will need to show proof of automobile liability insurance.

3) All position locations are subject to rotation based on the needs of the department. Offices are located throughout the County.

4) Trainees must demonstrate successful work performance to qualify for promotion to Public Defender Investigator within 9 months or be terminated.

5) Sponsorship : Please note San Bernardino County is not able to consider candidates who will require visa sponsorship at the time of application or in the future.

Minimum Requirements

Applicants must qualify under one of the following options:

Public Defender Investigator
Option A:
Two (2) years of full-time investigative experience as a Public Defender Investigator.

A Public Defender Investigator is defined as a paid full-time criminal defense investigator employed by a county, state or federal public defender. To qualify under this requirement a candidate must have accrued the requisite years of experience as a government employee.

Option B:
Three (3) years of full-time investigative experience with primary responsibility for conducting investigations for a local, state or federal government agency.

Option C:
Three (3) years of full-time licensed investigator experience AND possession of a current private investigator license issued by the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau of Security and Investigative Services.

Substitution:
A bachelor's degree or higher in Criminology, Criminal Justice, Administration of Justice, Police Science, Psychology, Behavioral Science or Law may substitute for up to one (1) year of the required experience.

Public Defender Investigator Trainee Option A:
One (1) year of full-time investigative experience with primary responsibility for conducting investigations for a city, county, state or federal government agency.

Option B:
Two (2) years of experience working in a Public Defender's Office with confidential clients as an Investigative Technician or Social Worker.

Option C:
Possession of a current private investigator license issued by the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau of Security and Investigative Services.

Option D:

Completion of a Bachelor's degree or higher in Criminology, Criminal Justice, Administration of Justice, Police Science, Psychology, Behavioral Science or Law.

Desired Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have excellent oral and written communication skills as well as exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to interview withdrawn, hostile or otherwise challenging persons. The ideal candidate will have high ethical standards and outstanding collaborative skills. Superior computer skills and experience with iPads and tablets are also highly desirable.

Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply and may receive additional compensation for bilingual skills. (Testing may be required.)

Selection Process

There will be a competitive evaluation of qualifications based on the information provided in the Application and the Supplemental Questionnaire. You are encouraged to include detailed descriptions of your qualifying experience and skills, as only the most highly qualified applicants will be referred to the Department.

All communications regarding the selection process will be via email. Applicants are encouraged to check their e-mail frequently to learn additional information regarding this recruitment. Check your GovernmentJobs account for notifications. Update your firewalls to allow e-mails from San Bernardino County through governmentjobs.com. Update your Spam, Junk, and Bulk settings to ensure it will not spam/block/filter communications from email addresses with the following domain "@hr.sbcounty.gov". Finally, be sure to keep your personal information updated. Taking these steps now will help ensure you receive all communications regarding this recruitment.

Application Procedure : Please complete and submit the online employment application and supplemental questionnaire by 5:00 pm on the filing deadline. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application and/or supplemental questionnaires.

To ensure timely and successful submission of your online application, please allow ample time to complete and submit your application before the posted filing deadline. Applicants will be automatically logged-out if they have not submitted the application and all required materials prior to the posted deadline. Once your application has been successfully submitted you will receive an onscreen confirmation and an email. We recommend that you save and/or print these for your records. Please note: if you do not receive an onscreen confirmation and an email acknowledging our receipt of your application, we have not received your application.

If you require technical assistance, please click HERE to review the Government Jobs online application guide , or contact their Toll-Free Applicant Support line at (855) 524-5627. Please note that Human Resources is not responsible for any issues or delays caused by the internet connection, computer or browser used to submit the application.

EEO/ADA: San Bernardino County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant employer, committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants.

ADA Accommodation: If you have a disability and require accommodations in the testing process, submit the Special Testing Accommodations Request Form within one week of a recruitment filing deadline.

Veterans’ Preference: Eligible veterans and their spouse or widow(er) who are not current County employees may be awarded additional Veterans’ Preference points. Click here for information and instructions to request Veteran's Preference points.

Please click HERE for important Applicant Information and the County Employment Process .

Technical & Inspection Unit

The County of San Bernardino offers a range of benefit programs for employees and their eligible dependents. These include health, dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as a variety of voluntary benefits. Programs and benefit amounts vary and are based on bargaining unit, family size, hire date, plan selection, and number of hours worked.

For a summary of benefits,* please click here .

Refer to the appropriate MOU, contact the County's Employee Benefits and Services Division at (909) 387-5787 or visit the Benefits website for more detailed information at hr.sbcounty.gov/employee-benefits/ .

*Retirement benefits subject to change.

Closing Date/Time: 9/9/2024 5:00 PM Pacific

San Bernardino, California United States View Map