INVESTIGATOR, PUBLIC DEFENDER

NEWTON COUNTY, GEORGIA
Classification Specification

INVESTIGATOR, PUBLIC DEFENDER (3726)
FLSA: Non-Exempt

Purpose of Classification:

The purpose of this classification is to conduct client assessments and case investigations for the Public Defender's
Office.

Essential Functions:

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude
them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties
may be required and assigned.

Investigates cases: obtains discovery items, such as police reports, crime scene reports, crime lab reports, complaints,
petitions, citations, photos, audio recordings, video recordings, written statements, phone records, medical records,
and other accounts of crimes committed; reviews those items for evidence, for witnesses needed for court, and for
potential problems in defending the case; compiles investigative report to summarize events; prepares subpoenas;
visits the crime scene, if necessary, and gathers additional evidence, photos, or measurements, or creates sketches;
prepares subpoenas; and obtains criminal histories on witnesses, alleged victims, and defendants.

Coordinates with Assistant Public Defender: meets with Assistant Public Defender to review case files and determine
what investigation is needed; assists with client, witness and alleged victim interviews, in the office and in the field;
and helps formulate case and courtroom strategies.

Coordinates and communicates with alleged victims and witnesses: confirms identity of witnesses and victims;
secures current identification photos; determines current location of witnesses and victims; interviews witnesses or
victims; hand-delivers subpoenas for court; conducts background and criminal history checks on potential witnesses;
locates witnesses that have moved or are resisting contact; and transports witnesses or victims to and from court as
needed.

Attends court and participates in court activities: attends court and participates in the defending of cases; coordinates
with client, victims and witnesses regarding testimony; ensures that any and all evidence and documentation needed
for court is properly prepared and made available; testifies on investigative actions and findings; prepares exhibits
for court; and assists in presentation of exhibits in court.

Assesses, screens and determines defendants’ eligibility for Court appointed legal assistance: interviews inmates at

Newton County, Georgia Investigator, Public Defender

County jail, County detention centers, and department offices; reviews applicant’s household income, criminal
charges, mental health, and other information; applies obtained information to federal and state guidelines to
determine eligibility; communicates approval or denial of services to client, court officials, department staff, etc.;
and refers client to other court services and programs if applicable.

Assists court concerning defendants’ indigent circumstances: attends arraignments and first appearance hearings;
obtains information from defendant and explains judicial process; reports and provides testimony regarding
defendants’ application; and performs research and preparation of calendars for the courts.

Processes a variety of documentation associated with department/division operations, within designated
timeframes and per established procedures: prepares, completes, receives, reviews, processes, forwards or retains,
as appropriate, various forms, reports, correspondence, client information, discovery, medical records, incident
reports, investigative reports, case information, court calendars, and other documentation; compiles data for further
processing or for use in preparation of department reports; and maintains computerized and/or hardcopy records.

Operates a personal computer to enter, retrieve, review or modify data, utilizing word processing, database,
presentation, Internet, e-mail, or other software; and operates general office or other equipment as necessary to
complete essential functions.

Communicates with supervisor, other County employees, court officials and staff, victims, witnesses, clients, the
public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or
resolve problems.

Additional Functions:

Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

Associate degree in Criminal Justice, Social Work or related field; supplemented by three years of experience in
criminal investigations or law enforcement; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Specific License or Certification Required: Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia driver’s license.

Specific Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities: Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in performance of the essential
functions and learn, comprehend, and apply all County or departmental policies, practices, and procedures necessary
to function effectively in the position.

Performance Aptitudes:

Data Utilization: Requires the ability to evaluate, audit, deduce, and/or assess data using established criteria.
Includes exercising discretion in determining actual or probable consequences and in referencing such evaluation to
identify and select alternatives.

Human Interaction: Requires the ability to work with and apply principles of persuasion and/or influence over others
to coordinate programs or activities of a project, and resolve typical problems associated with the responsibilities of

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Newton County, Georgia Investigator, Public Defender

the job.

Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control
the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, and/or advisory data and
information.

Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; the ability
to calculate decimals and percentages; the ability to utilize principles of fractions; and the ability to interpret graphs.

Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of influence systems, such as motivation, incentive,
and leadership, and to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and
techniques to resolve problems.

Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving
the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria, as opposed to that which is clearly
measurable or verifiable.

ADA Compliance:

Physical Ability: Tasks require the ability to exert very moderate physical effort in light work, typically involving some
combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling, and which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing
and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (12-20 pounds).

Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds,
taste, odor, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

Environmental Factors: Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental
conditions; performance of some investigation functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions,
such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, temperature and noise extremes, traffic hazards, bright/dim
lights, toxic agents, animal/wildlife attacks, animal/human bites, firearms, violence, disease, pathogenic substances,
or rude/irate customers.

Newton County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County
will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective
and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

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