Investigator, Parole Revocation Defense Unit (PRDU) - Brooklyn, NY

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The Legal Aid Society's Parole Revocation Defense Unit (PRDU) has openings in the Bronx and Brooklyn Trial Offices for a skilled Investigator to work closely as a member of the PRDU Team which includes staff attorneys, case handlers, social workers, administrative support staff, supervising attorneys, supervising investigators, and the Unit's directors. The Parole Revocation Defense Unit provides representation to all accused parole violators detained in a New York City-located detention center, as well as offer legal assistance and advice to persons under NYS DOCCS community supervision in the New York City area.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Locate and interview witnesses, clients and other relevant parties
• Visit detention centers and locations outside NYC when needed
• Investigate, document, and photograph relevant location that would also include alleged crime scenes
• Conduct extensive internet and social media searches to support investigations
• Conduct background checks on witnesses and possible alternative suspects using multiple databases (e.g. CLEAR, DMV, ACRIS, WebCrims, etc.)
• Accompany attorneys or other members of the litigation team to locations that include businesses, residencies, or other relevant locations
• Participate in client and client's family outreach efforts
• Organize and conduct investigations independently and as part of a team effort with attorneys, social workers, supervising investigator, and case handlers
• Serve limited motions and subpoenas as needed
• Locate and extract video surveillance footage as needed
• Provide accurate, detailed written reports on investigations, as well as maintaining other necessary documents (e.g. chain of custody, witness statements, etc.)
• Testify in parole court
• Requires field work during office hours; may require working outside business hours when necessary
• Must comply with mandatory training curriculum
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in criminal justice or in a related field or demonstrated work experience
• 95% of work done in the field
• Excellent writing skills
• Good listening and questioning skills/skilled in interpersonal interactions
• Strong time management skills, with a proven ability to meet deadlines and work independently and reliably

Preferred qualifications:

• A minimum of 3 years of prior experience conducting investigations on violent felony cases is preferred
• Commitment to zealous public defense representation
• Additional training/certifications relating to criminal investigations preferred
• Basic knowledge of forensic sciences preferred
• Familiarity with NYC neighborhoods
• A valid New York State driver's license as well as everyday access to an automobile with appropriate motor vehicle insurance for use in investigations is preferred
• Availability of reliable personal vehicle for use in investigations may be required
• Background check required

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: $62,337- $89,602

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:

• Cover Letter
• Resume

For technical difficulties or questions regarding this posting, please email jobpostquestions@legal-aid.org.

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.

Brooklyn - Criminal Defense Practice Office