Investigator

Investigator in Homicide/Special Defense Unit

Make a difference! Become a Defender!

Are you looking to propel your career in criminal justice or investigations with an organization with a powerful mission? The Defender represents individuals accused of serious charges who cannot afford an attorney. We are seeking a motivated, detail-oriented Investigator to join our Homicide/Special Defense Unit. This unit handles the most complex and high-profile cases in the city. As an Investigator, you aren’t just staff – you are a vital member of a high-stakes legal team. You will work alongside veteran attorneys and mitigation specialists to uncover facts, locate witnesses, and build the foundation for a fair defense. If you are looking for a role where you can learn from the best while making a tangible impact on your community, this is it.

What You’ll Do

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  Field Investigations: Spend significant time in the community locating and interviewing witnesses in their neighborhoods, in our office, or in custody

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  Evidence Collection: Document crime scenes through photography and sketching; obtain and download video surveillance, and document clients’ injuries

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  Digital Discovery: Conduct research on social media platforms and review cellular records (logs, messages, and threads) to secure evidence for legal proceedings.

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  Trial Support: Assistant attorneys in preparing exhibits, creating video compilations, and obtaining critical records (medical, school, employment).

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  Court Presence: Serve subpoenas and court orders and provide professional testimony in court.

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  Reporting: Prepare clear, concise, and grammatically correct investigative reports that will be used in high-level legal proceedings.

What You’ll Need

• High school diploma or the equivalent; Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, preferred.
• Prior investigative experience in criminal defense is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of principles and techniques of investigation is preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and high comfort level with digital media (transferring video files, navigating social media, and managing digital evidence).
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills and the ability to engage with and establish rapport with people from a variety of backgrounds
• A reliable source of transportation to report quickly to crime scenes, jails, and community settings throughout the city (often on short notice).
• Ability to navigate uneven terrain or tight space to obtain evidence
• A willingness to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends, when a trial or investigation requires it.
• A deep commitment to working on behalf of indigent defendants and a desire to work as part of a mission-driven team.
• We are a Fair Chance Employer. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply. A background check is required for this position, but we review all results individually and fairly.

Benefits & Perks

• Generous and rich benefits plan with many employer paid benefits
• Substantial paid time off (over 35 PTO days)
• We are a PSLF eligible employer
• Wellness benefits
• Paid parental leave
• Free Septa Key Card
• Retirement savings plan w/employer match
• Meaningful work
• Mentorship and growth opportunities

To Apply:

Please include a cover letter detailing your experience and interest in this role with your resume and application. Salary is $54,000.

Who is the Defender Association?

The Defender Association of Philadelphia is more than just a law firm. We’re the community’s lawyers.

The Defender team – more than 500 attorneys, social workers, investigators, administrators, and other staff – make sure that everyone, regardless of income, has access to high-quality defense when facing criminal charges. Our mission-driven, client-centered model focuses on outcomes that support a system that is fundamentally fair and creates safer, stronger communities. Our unique model and approach give our staff with the skills and support they need to get the best outcomes for our clients. Come join our team! For more information, go to Defender Association of Philadelphia and follow us @PhillyDefenders (Twitter, IG, Tiktok) and on LinkedIn.

The Defender Association provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, The Defender Association complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.