Investigator, Trial Office (Citywide)

As New York City's leading public defender, The Legal Aid Society is committed to vigorously advocating for the rights of the most marginalized and disenfranchised individuals. The reach of its Criminal Defense Practice extends beyond the courtroom, with a strong presence and collaborative partnerships within the communities it serves.

The Legal Aid Society’s Criminal Defense Practice is currently seeking to fill criminal defense investigative positions across five (5) trial offices. Investigators will work closely with defense teams under the guidance and supervision of the Supervising Investigator, Attorney-in-Charge, and Director of Investigative Services. The caseload includes, but is not limited to, misdemeanors, domestic violence cases, burglaries, robberies, sexual assaults, and other serious felonies.

This role requires a high level of initiative, resourcefulness, sound judgment, and determination. Investigators will be expected to conduct thorough and independent investigations while collaborating effectively with attorneys and other members of the defense team.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Locate and interview complainants, witnesses, defendants, and other relevant parties 
• Investigate crime scenes and other relevant locations 
• Document scenes (photographs, video, diagrams, measurements, etc.) 
• Create crime scene sketches/diagrams/maps 
• Conduct background checks, internet, and social media investigations/research
• Use databases to retrieve relevant case information (e.g., CLEAR, DMV, ACRIS, etc.)  
• Prepare and maintain accurate written case summaries and timely updates in the case management system
• Testify in court 
• Accompany all defense players to crime scenes and relevant locations 
• Participate in and facilitate job-shadowing opportunities, including allowing new colleagues, interns, and attorneys to observe investigative work, procedures, and field activities
• Witness lineups and other police procedures (e.g., ballistics test, examination of evidence at DA’s offices, vehicular inspection at NYPD Auto Yards, etc.) 
• Discover and manage physical and digital evidence (e.g., cellphones, surveillance video, social media, etc.) 
• Locate and extract surveillance footage from varying locations and buildings
• Communicate with other city agencies as necessary 
• Provide accurate, detailed reports on investigations; as well as maintaining other necessary documents (e.g., chain of custody, witness statements, investigation summaries etc.)  
• Travel within the assigned borough and to other boroughs, as needed
• Communicate with clients and their family members, friends, and other relevant individuals, as needed
• Communicate and participate in case conferences with other members of the defense team to effectively analyze cases and develop investigative strategies
• Travel within borough as well as out-of-borough, as needed 
• Locate and establish contact with missing clients in person, as needed
• Serve subpoenas, motions, and other legal documents, as required
• Conduct fieldwork during regular office hours and at irregular hours, as directed
• Perform other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a related field, or equivalent relevant work experience in criminal justice, investigations, or a related field
• Prior experience conducting criminal investigations preferred; relevant experience may include investigative internships
• Demonstrated commitment to seeking justice for indigent individuals and advancing zealous criminal defense representation required
• Ability to analyze and evaluate facts, exercise sound judgment, and demonstrate a high level of integrity, discretion, and professionalism in performing the duties of the position
• Demonstrated ability to listen attentively and ask effective, relevant questions
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and familiarity with social media platforms required
• Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear, accurate, and concise written materials
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with a diverse range of individuals
• Ability and willingness to conduct fieldwork during regular office hours and irregular hours, as required
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 95% of the time, as required
• Familiarity with the neighborhoods and communities within the assigned borough
• Use of a personal vehicle is required for investigative positions based in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island Trial Offices

Preferred qualifications:  

• Additional training or certifications related to criminal investigations preferred
• Fluency in Spanish strongly preferred; proficiency in other languages is also desirable

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The salary range represents a good faith estimate of the range we expect to pay for this role. The actual salary offered may vary depending on many factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, as well as collectively bargained salary steps for unionized roles.

Salary Range: $64,207 - $92,290

The Legal Aid Society offers a generous benefits package including health insurance, paid vacation, disability, and life insurance, and more. Click here to read more about benefits.

Higher Education and Loan Forgiveness

The Legal Aid Society is a qualified employer for the purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness. This position allows an employee to take advantage of PSLF and other State and Federal loan forgiveness programs. Additionally, employees who are New York residents may be eligible for assistance from New York state to assist with loan repayments, depending on years of practice. To learn more, click the links below. 

studentaid.gov

hesc.ny.gov/loan-forgiveness-programs

WORK AUTHORIZATION

All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship for a work visa or permit. We are currently unable to sponsor employment visas or permits. (However, for citizens of Canada and Mexico, LAS will provide a letter documenting employment status that is needed to obtain a TN visa.) 

HOW TO APPLY

All applications must be completed online via the career portal. We do not accept emailed applications. Submit the following documents as a combined PDF:

• Resume 
• Cover Letter - Applicants should list the borough (Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan. Queens, and Staten Island) trial offices in their cover letter in order of preference, from first choice to fifth choice While we will make every effort to honor these preferences, placements will ultimately be determined based on organizational needs and available capacity.

For technical difficulties or questions regarding this posting, please email [email protected].

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

As an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer, The Legal Aid Society prohibits discriminatory employment actions against and treatment of its employees and applicants for employment based on actual or perceived race or color, size (including bone structure, body size, height, shape, and weight), religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity (one’s internal deeply-held sense of one’s gender which may be the same or different from one’s sex assigned at birth); gender expression (the representation of gender as expressed through, for example, one’s name, choice of pronouns, clothing, haircut, behavior, voice, or body characteristics; gender expression may not conform to traditional gender-based stereotypes assigned to specific gender identities), disability, marital status, relationship and family structure (including domestic partnerships, polyamorous families and individuals, chosen family, platonic co-parents, and multigenerational families), genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, arrest or pre-employment conviction record, credit history, unemployment status, caregiver status, salary history, or any other characteristic protected by law.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

The Legal Aid Society is committed to a work culture of zealous advocacy, respect, diversity and inclusion, client-oriented defense, access to justice and excellent representation. We are dedicated to building a strong professional relationship with each of our clients (people), to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs. Our ability to achieve these goals depends on the efforts of all of us and our ability to build strong relationships with our colleagues. Every member of our community is expected to continuously learn about the dynamic, evolving, and emerging field of knowledge of identity, bias, and systemic forms of oppression and participate in productive efforts to dismantling bias in all forms.