Salary : $138,051.68 - $167,810.24 Annually
Location : Throughout the County of Santa Clara, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-V79-A
Department: Public Defender
Opening Date: 09/25/2026
Closing Date: 10/8/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: 01

Description

Under supervision, to perform field investigations, interview witnesses, gather evidence on behalf of indigents represented by the Office of the Public Defender.

NOTE: Candidates who meet the employment standards will be invited to take an on-line examination tentatively scheduled for a seven day window that opens October 26, 2026.
Typical Tasks

• Investigates financial eligibility of applicants for Public Defender assistance;
  
• Locates and interviews witnesses;
  
• Assembles physical and documentary evidence;
  
• Inspects the scene of the alleged crime in order to locate, identify, assemble, preserve, evaluate and record evidence;
  
• Interviews indigents represented by the Office of the Public Defender for detailed information relative to requested investigation;
  
• Acts as liaison with and secures cooperation of Federal, State and local agencies and other sources of corroborative evidence and testimony;
  
• Uses special equipment such as sound intercepting and recording devices and photographic equipment;
  
• Subpoenas witnesses and physical evidence;
  
• Carries out courtesy investigations requested by other Public Defender agencies;
  
• Develops sources of information;
  
• Assists the Public Defender and his/her deputies in the preparation of cases for defense;
  
• Appears in court to testify as witness;
  
• Dictates correspondence and reports;
  
• Performs related work as required.

Employment Standards

Training and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited junior college, preferably supplemented by courses in criminology and criminal investigation, and two (2) years of experience performing law enforcement or criminal investigation work.

-OR-
Possession of a Bachelor's degree in Criminology, Penology, Administration of Justice or a closely related field such as Sociology, Psychology or Journalism, supplemented by courses in Administration of Justice.

-OR-
Possession of a Bachelor's degree in any field and one (1) year of experience comparable to an Investigator Assistant with the County of Santa Clara.

Possession of a valid California driver's license prior to appointment.

Knowledge of:

• Practices and methods employed in criminal detection and criminal investigation;
  
• Laws and ordinances effective in the county relevant to the rules of arrest and evidence;
  
• Court procedures in criminal trials.

Ability to:

• Obtain information through interviews, interrogation, and observation;
  
• Convey information effectively through: dictation, written reports and verbal testimony before the Court;
  
• Relate tactfully, impartially, and courteously with the police, the District Attorney, other government agencies, and with the general public;
  
• Conduct investigations in challenging locations such as remote terrain inaccessible to vehicles and multistory buildings without elevators.

The County offers comprehensive first-class medical, dental, and vision benefits plans for County employees and their dependents, including plans with no deductibles, no co-pays, no co-insurance, and no prescription drug co-pays. Learn more

The County also offers generous paid time off with significant vacation, sick time, and 13 paid County holidays annually! Details are included in the with the bargaining unit applicable to the job classification.

In addition to the amazing perks above, the County also offers the additional benefits below.

Retirement Benefits
The County offers robust retirement plans including a (similar to the private sector's 401(k) plan) and the In addition to lifetime retirement income available through the CalPERS pension plan, the 457(b) Deferred Compensation plan provides a great way to save for retirement and supplement the defined benefit pension available to employees. These plans help our employees build a plan for their future and contribute to their family's long-term financial well-being.

Health Flexible Spending Account
The empowers employees to manage healthcare expenses efficiently with tax-free contributions (up to $3,200 for the 2024 calendar year). Secure tax-free solutions for your healthcare expenses and enjoy the flexibility to manage your healthcare finances effectively with the HFSA.

Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)
The enables employees to utilize tax-free funds for dependent care services, facilitating a convenient and cost-effective approach for managing your dependent care expenses. The County also offers the , an employer-funded DCAP, for employees with annual income under $120,000.

Life and AD&D
The County offers life and disability benefits including , Insurance, These benefits ensure financial security and income support when you and your family need it most.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The County prioritizes employee mental health and well-being and offers a top-tier through Concern providing confidential counseling sessions covering stress, anxiety, relationships, grief, as well as financial/legal services, personal coaching, child and elder care referrals, and comprehensive crisis support.

Employee Wellness
The offers free wellness programing, fitness classes and resources; including Elevate My Wellness an all-in-one platform designed to elevate your well-being journey.

Education Reimbursement
A generous program is available, including Education Reimbursement for employees seeking additional training and professional development.

NOTE: Benefit and Retirement information may vary from bargaining unit to bargaining unit. Due to changes in State Law, current pension provisions described in the union contracts are not automatically applied. Specific pension benefits for new hires who start on or after January 1, 2013 may be different than indicated in the union contracts.

Click here to access all Memoranda of Understanding and most recent Summary of Changes.
01

Please answer the following questions. Completion of the following supplemental questions is REQUIRED and is an integral part of the evaluation process. Initially, it will be used to determine minimum qualifications. For those applicants meeting the employment standards, this information will be critical in the subsequent competitive assessment to identify those candidates to be invited to continue in the examination process. Your responses to the questions may also be reviewed and scored in a Competitive Rating evaluation process based on pre-determined rating criteria. Your answers should be as complete as possible, as no additional information will be accepted from applicants once the Competitive Rating evaluation has begun. A response of "see resume" or "see application" will deem your application incomplete. REQUIRED: Include a DETAILED description of job duties along with employer names, job titles, dates of employment, and hours worked per week. If none, type N/A.Do you understand the requirement to provide complete answers in order to determine relevant experience for each area in question?

• Yes
• No

02

What is the highest level of education you have completed?

• High School or GED equivalent
• College (1 to 29 semester units / 1 to 44 quarter units)
• College (30 to 59 semester units / 45 to 89 quarter units)
• College (60 to 89 semester units / 90 to 134 quarter units)
• College (90 to 119 semester units / 135 to 179 quarter units)
• College (120 or more semester units / 180 or more quarter units)
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctoral Degree

03

Do you possess a Bachelor's or higher-level degree in any of the following fields?

• Administration of Justice
• Journalism
• Criminology
• Penology
• Sociology
• Psychology
• Other related field
• N/A

04

If you indicated "Other Related Field" above, please specify major field of study. If not, please type N/A.
05

Indicate the number of college level units you have completed in Administration of Justice.

• None
• 3 Semester/ 4.5 Quarter Units
• 6 Semester/ 9 Quarter Units
• 9 Semester/ 13.5 Quarter Units
• 12 Semester/ 18 Quarter Units
• 15 Semester/ 22.5 Quarter Units or more
• 18 Semester/ 27 Quarter Units
• 21 Semester/ 31.5 Quarter units or more

06

Indicate the number of years of experience you have performing law enforcement, criminal defense investigation or criminal investigation work.

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven to less than eight years
• Eight to less than nine years
• Nine to less than ten years
• Ten years or more

07

Describe your experience performing law enforcement, criminal defense investigation or criminal investigation work. REQUIRED: Include a DETAILED description of job duties along with employer names, job titles, dates of employment, and hours worked per week. If none, type N/A.
08

How many years of experience do you possess performing a variety of paraprofessional support tasks involving interviewing to elicit factual information and other investigative activities?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven to less than eight years
• Eight to less than nine years
• Nine to less than ten years
• Ten years or more

09

Describe your experience performing a variety of paraprofessional support tasks involving interviewing to elicit factual information and other investigative activities. REQUIRED: Include a DETAILED description of job duties along with employer names, job titles, dates of employment, and hours worked per week. If none, type N/A.
10

How did you find out/hear about this job?

• In Person Job Fair
• Contacted by County Recruiter
• Email Newsletter
• Virtual Event
• Community Event
• Social Media: Facebook or Instagram
• County of Santa Clara Job Interests Email Notification
• Student Career Center
• Handshake
• Professional Association
• Contacted by an External Staffing Firm
• Hospital Website
• Search Engine (Google, Bing, online search, etc.)
• Governmentjobs.com
• LinkedIn
• Indeed
• Employee Referral: Friends, Families and Coworkers
• County of Santa Clara Career Website
• Other (Specify in the next question)

11

How did you find out about this job? If "Other" is selected: Please describe how you heard about this job.
Required Question