Alameda County
Public Defender Investigator I - #25-8576-01
Alameda County, Oakland, California, United States, 94616
Introduction
THIS IS A NEW ASSEMBLED EXAMINATION. The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year, but can be extended. Supplemental Questionnaire: A properly completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with each application. Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing. Failure to submit the Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification. Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires will only be accepted on-line.
DESCRIPTION THE DEPARTMENT The Alameda County Public Defender's Office provides the highest quality of indigent criminal defense by vigorously advocating for the rights of individuals facing criminal charges in adult and juvenile court. Our mission is to zealously protect and defend the rights of clients through compassionate and inspired legal representation of the highest quality, in pursuit of a fair and unbiased system of justice for all. The Alameda County Office is one of the oldest Public Defender offices in the nation, chartered in 1927 by Earl Warren who later became Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. Today, our team of more than 120 attorneys, 19 investigators, 12 social workers, 8 client advocates, and 50 support staff handle approximately 30,000 cases per year providing innovative, holistic defense services for Alameda County residents. In 2012, the office was named the 'Best Law Firm' in the East Bay by the Alameda County Bar Association. The Alameda County Public Defender’s Office (ACPDO) strives to provide its clients with comprehensive holistic defense services. ACPDO provides zealous, client-centered legal representation and rehabilitative wrap-around services in lieu of incarceration. Holistic criminal defense is a client-centered, interdisciplinary approach to legal representation that addresses the underlying social and environmental factors contributing to a person's involvement in the criminal legal system. It moves beyond traditional legal representation to offer a broader range of support, aiming to improve overall outcomes for individuals and communities. For additional info, please visit:
http://www.acgov.org/defender/ .
THE POSITION Under close supervision, assists attorneys in the Public Defender's Office by conducting fact‑finding, pre‑trial and pre‑sentence investigations of criminal cases, and performs related work as required. For additional information on the position, please visit: Public Defender Investigator I (#8576).
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Education:
Successful completion of 60 semester or 90 quarter units from an accredited college or university, which included at least 24 semester or 36 quarter units in Criminal Justice, Criminology, Forensics, or a closely related field such as Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, or Journalism.
Experience:
The equivalent of one year of full‑time experience working in the criminal justice field in an investigative or enforcement capacity, such as a peace officer, probation officer, investigator, or investigative assistant.
Substitution:
Possession of a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Criminology, Forensics, or a closely related field may be substituted for the year of required experience.
License:
Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s License is required.
Special Requirements:
Ability and willingness to work irregular hours as individual investigations demand; must be at least 21 years of age; willingness to travel out of town, state, or country and stay overnight. Must provide fingerprints for search of local, state, and national files – a criminal record may result in disqualification.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies:
Interviewing techniques and procedures
Skip‑tracing techniques
California State laws related to the service of subpoenas and witness treatment
California criminal court structure and procedures
Understanding of the Public Defender's Office organization and purpose
Skill in diagramming and presenting demonstrative evidence in court
Establish rapport with a wide variety of people, judge witness credibility, and maintain objectivity
Diagramming crime scenes and operating digital cameras
Maintaining composure and professionalism under stress
Keeping accurate records and writing clear, concise, grammatically correct reports
Managing a full misdemeanor caseload
Effective communication with attorneys, staff, and the public
Locating and recording police radio dispatch calls, video, and other electronic evidence
Interview effectiveness and analytical skills
EXAMINATION COMPONENTS The examination will consist of the following steps:
Review of candidates’ applications to verify possession of minimum requirements.
Review of Supplemental Questionnaires to determine the best qualified.
Oral interview (weighted 100% of the final score), which may include situational exercises.
Candidates must attain a qualifying rating on each portion. Alameda County reserves the right to modify the examination steps. RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION PLAN Applicants will be notified by email of any examination process requiring attendance. Tentative dates:
Deadline for Filing: 5:00 p.m., Monday, November 24, 2025
Review of Minimum Qualifications: Friday, December 5, 2025
Review of Supplemental Questionnaire: Week of January 12, 2026
Oral Examination: Week of February 2, 2026
Alameda County and the Human Resource Services Department will accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the FEHA, ADA, and applicable statutes.
BENEFITS The County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and many voluntary benefits. Key benefits include:
Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
Vision or Vision Reimbursement
Basic Life Insurance
Supplemental Life Insurance (optional dependent coverage)
Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
County Allowance Credit
Flexible Spending Accounts – Health FSA, Dependent Care, Adoption Assistance
Short‑Term Disability Insurance
Long‑Term Disability Insurance
Voluntary Benefits – Accident, Critical Illness, Long‑Term Care, Hospital Indemnity, Legal Services
Employee Assistance Program
Retirement Plan – Defined Benefit Pension Plan
Deferred Compensation Plan (457 or Roth)
12 paid holidays and floating holidays
Vacation and sick leave accrual with vacation purchase program
Management paid leave (up to 3 days for non‑exempt, 8 days for exempt)
Pet Insurance
Commuter Benefits Program and Ride‑Share options
Employee Wellness Program (fitness, gym discounts)
Employee Discount Program (theme parks, cell phones, etc.)
Child Care Resources via 1stUnited Services Credit Union
Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and may vary by collective bargaining agreement.
Conclusion All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent via email. Please include the following email addresses as accepted addresses to avoid blocking notices: @jobaps.com, @acgov.org, Noreplyalamedacountyhr@acgov.org, and Noreply@jobaps.com. Log into your County of Alameda online application account to check for notices. For questions, visit
https://hrs.alamedacountyca.gov/
or contact Human Resources Analyst Rosario Jones at 510‑891‑5737 or Rosario.Jones@acgov.org.
Equal Employment Opportunity Alameda County is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need. Alameda County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.
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DESCRIPTION THE DEPARTMENT The Alameda County Public Defender's Office provides the highest quality of indigent criminal defense by vigorously advocating for the rights of individuals facing criminal charges in adult and juvenile court. Our mission is to zealously protect and defend the rights of clients through compassionate and inspired legal representation of the highest quality, in pursuit of a fair and unbiased system of justice for all. The Alameda County Office is one of the oldest Public Defender offices in the nation, chartered in 1927 by Earl Warren who later became Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. Today, our team of more than 120 attorneys, 19 investigators, 12 social workers, 8 client advocates, and 50 support staff handle approximately 30,000 cases per year providing innovative, holistic defense services for Alameda County residents. In 2012, the office was named the 'Best Law Firm' in the East Bay by the Alameda County Bar Association. The Alameda County Public Defender’s Office (ACPDO) strives to provide its clients with comprehensive holistic defense services. ACPDO provides zealous, client-centered legal representation and rehabilitative wrap-around services in lieu of incarceration. Holistic criminal defense is a client-centered, interdisciplinary approach to legal representation that addresses the underlying social and environmental factors contributing to a person's involvement in the criminal legal system. It moves beyond traditional legal representation to offer a broader range of support, aiming to improve overall outcomes for individuals and communities. For additional info, please visit:
http://www.acgov.org/defender/ .
THE POSITION Under close supervision, assists attorneys in the Public Defender's Office by conducting fact‑finding, pre‑trial and pre‑sentence investigations of criminal cases, and performs related work as required. For additional information on the position, please visit: Public Defender Investigator I (#8576).
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Education:
Successful completion of 60 semester or 90 quarter units from an accredited college or university, which included at least 24 semester or 36 quarter units in Criminal Justice, Criminology, Forensics, or a closely related field such as Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, or Journalism.
Experience:
The equivalent of one year of full‑time experience working in the criminal justice field in an investigative or enforcement capacity, such as a peace officer, probation officer, investigator, or investigative assistant.
Substitution:
Possession of a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Criminology, Forensics, or a closely related field may be substituted for the year of required experience.
License:
Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s License is required.
Special Requirements:
Ability and willingness to work irregular hours as individual investigations demand; must be at least 21 years of age; willingness to travel out of town, state, or country and stay overnight. Must provide fingerprints for search of local, state, and national files – a criminal record may result in disqualification.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies:
Interviewing techniques and procedures
Skip‑tracing techniques
California State laws related to the service of subpoenas and witness treatment
California criminal court structure and procedures
Understanding of the Public Defender's Office organization and purpose
Skill in diagramming and presenting demonstrative evidence in court
Establish rapport with a wide variety of people, judge witness credibility, and maintain objectivity
Diagramming crime scenes and operating digital cameras
Maintaining composure and professionalism under stress
Keeping accurate records and writing clear, concise, grammatically correct reports
Managing a full misdemeanor caseload
Effective communication with attorneys, staff, and the public
Locating and recording police radio dispatch calls, video, and other electronic evidence
Interview effectiveness and analytical skills
EXAMINATION COMPONENTS The examination will consist of the following steps:
Review of candidates’ applications to verify possession of minimum requirements.
Review of Supplemental Questionnaires to determine the best qualified.
Oral interview (weighted 100% of the final score), which may include situational exercises.
Candidates must attain a qualifying rating on each portion. Alameda County reserves the right to modify the examination steps. RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION PLAN Applicants will be notified by email of any examination process requiring attendance. Tentative dates:
Deadline for Filing: 5:00 p.m., Monday, November 24, 2025
Review of Minimum Qualifications: Friday, December 5, 2025
Review of Supplemental Questionnaire: Week of January 12, 2026
Oral Examination: Week of February 2, 2026
Alameda County and the Human Resource Services Department will accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the FEHA, ADA, and applicable statutes.
BENEFITS The County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and many voluntary benefits. Key benefits include:
Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
Vision or Vision Reimbursement
Basic Life Insurance
Supplemental Life Insurance (optional dependent coverage)
Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
County Allowance Credit
Flexible Spending Accounts – Health FSA, Dependent Care, Adoption Assistance
Short‑Term Disability Insurance
Long‑Term Disability Insurance
Voluntary Benefits – Accident, Critical Illness, Long‑Term Care, Hospital Indemnity, Legal Services
Employee Assistance Program
Retirement Plan – Defined Benefit Pension Plan
Deferred Compensation Plan (457 or Roth)
12 paid holidays and floating holidays
Vacation and sick leave accrual with vacation purchase program
Management paid leave (up to 3 days for non‑exempt, 8 days for exempt)
Pet Insurance
Commuter Benefits Program and Ride‑Share options
Employee Wellness Program (fitness, gym discounts)
Employee Discount Program (theme parks, cell phones, etc.)
Child Care Resources via 1stUnited Services Credit Union
Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and may vary by collective bargaining agreement.
Conclusion All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent via email. Please include the following email addresses as accepted addresses to avoid blocking notices: @jobaps.com, @acgov.org, Noreplyalamedacountyhr@acgov.org, and Noreply@jobaps.com. Log into your County of Alameda online application account to check for notices. For questions, visit
https://hrs.alamedacountyca.gov/
or contact Human Resources Analyst Rosario Jones at 510‑891‑5737 or Rosario.Jones@acgov.org.
Equal Employment Opportunity Alameda County is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need. Alameda County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.
#J-18808-Ljbffr