Salary: $43.21 - $54.77 Hourly
Location : Dexter Horton Building - 710 Second Avenue #200, Seattle, WA
Job Type: Career Service (Exec)
Job Number: 2026CS27121
Department: DPD - Dept of Public Defense
Opening Date: 04/28/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: A8 : SEIU L925-DPD-Staff
Full- or Part-Time: Full Time
Hours/Week: 40 hours/week

Summary
This posting will remain open until filled and may close at any time without prior notice. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.

This recruitment will be used to establish an eligibility pool for Career Service (CS) and Term-Limited Temporary (TLT)/Special Duty Assignment (SDA) Public Defense Investigator positions that may become available within the next six months. TLT/SDA assignments typically last between 6 and 24 months and may be extended or concluded earlier depending on business needs. Positions may be assigned to any division and located in either Seattle or Kent.
King County's Department of Public Defense is looking to create an eligibility pool for Public Defense Investigator positions. The ideal candidates will be able to exercise good independent judgment, and apply office guidelines, legal procedures, work methods, court rules, and applicable laws. This role does not necessarily require a legal or criminal justice background, though experience with the criminal legal system is helpful. We seek compassionate, motivated individuals ready to help clients in their cases.

Public Defense Investigators assist attorneys in developing defense strategies by providing excellent trial-related investigative work. They review surveillance footage and video from police officers' body-worn cameras, examine discovery materials, conduct crime scene analyses, identify and interview potential witnesses, and more-all with an eye towards supporting the best possible legal outcome for clients. They're a key member of the defense team and play an integral role in achieving the client's stated goal. The successful candidate is dedicated to our collective mission to defend the most vulnerable and marginalized members of our community.
We value diversity and aim for our team to reflect the communities that our clients call home.

Job Duties

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES include but are not limited to the following:

• Have the ability to work onsite as well as report to various locations, including court, jail facilities, etc., throughout the county.
• Have the ability to work 40 hours a week with occasional overtime as needed.
• Uses professional communication skills and demonstrates empathy with DPD's clients and the community to include adults, teens, and children many of whom suffer from trauma and/or mental illness, via the phone and in-person.
• Assist attorneys in analyzing cases from a defense perspective. This may include examination of discovery materials or other information to determine areas in which more factual information is needed.
• Conduct crime scene analysis and examination of other physical locations or objects to identify evidence that will assist in preparing the defense. This may include taking photographs and preparing diagrams, maps, charts, and scale drawings to be exhibited in court. Communicate findings to attorneys.
• Identify and locate known or potential witnesses; assist attorneys in identifying appropriate expert witnesses.
• Conduct in-depth, often in-person, interviews with victims, witnesses, police personnel, medical personnel, clients, and others; develop and prioritize questions in order to obtain necessary information related to the case.
• Prepare comprehensive written summaries of interviews and other investigative findings, document contacts.
• Obtain and review reports, records, and other information.
• Identify and obtain potentially useful information through Public Records Act requests. This may include, but is not limited to, address verification, education and employment records, military records, medical records, and private records.
• Identify and capture digital and social media information, including but not limited to web search histories, messaging and email history, profile information, industry records, government agency records, and criminal records of state and defense witnesses.
• Prepare, process, and serve subpoenas on individuals and organizations.
• Organize investigative case files; maintain and update time logs and calendar of due dates and court dates; confer with attorneys regarding investigation status.
• Provide trial assistance by communicating trial schedule to witnesses, responding to last-minute investigation requests and testifying as necessary.
• Maintain current knowledge of related issues/standards in the legal environment.
• Attend and participate in unit and agency training and meetings as appropriate.
• Provide in-court testimony as deemed necessary by the assigned attorney to advance the defense case theory or discredit a witness.
• Other duties as assigned.

Other Functions:
The department reserves the right to close this posting and/or make updates to the position description as deemed necessary in support of DPD's mission.

*Detailed specifics of job duties are assigned by case type and division.*
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Possess a bachelor's degree and two years of demonstrated experience as a criminal defense investigator or equivalent defense-oriented investigative experience or education, OR applicants should have a combination of experience/education/training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the work.
• Have the ability to travel to required destinations around King County in a timely manner.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Interview methods, techniques, and procedures, including the ability to recognize factual discrepancies within discovery materials and take investigative follow-up.
• Criminal law, the legal system, and legal terminology.

SKILL IN:

• Working with individuals from diverse backgrounds to effectively serve vulnerable clients from all walks of life.
• Handling confidential information to safeguard client privacy and identity.
• Preparing detailed narrative reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
• Handling confidential information acquired during the course of an investigation.
• Identifying potential ethical issues and seeking advice when ethical issues arise or require clarification.
• Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Working independently, setting priorities and meeting deadlines.

ABILITY TO:

• Work and build trust with clients and people negatively affected by the criminal legal system.
• Use effective communication, listening, and interview skills while accurately documenting interviews and meetings.
• Respond to inquiries from clients, staff members, and court personnel and to testify effectively at trial, sentencing, or other hearings.
• Assess potentially dangerous situations and perform de-escalation techniques to clients/witnesses/others as applicable in distress via phone and in person.
• Work efficiently and calmly under pressure.
• Use office productivity tools such as Microsoft Office 365 (Excel, Word, and Outlook) document management, and Internet search engines, cameras, video equipment, tape recorders, and other relevant technology.
• Use mapping/diagramming software programs and be proficient at entering data efficiently and accurately.
• Search and analyze social networks and information databases.
• Demonstrate analytical, organization, and problem-solving skills.

The following qualifications are a plus:

• Have lived experience involving the criminal legal system.
• Fluency in a foreign language.

Supplemental Information

ARE YOU READY TO APPLY?This opportunity to join DPD is open to all qualified applicants. Please apply at .

This recruitment will be used to establish an eligibility pool for Career Service (CS) and Term-Limited Temporary (TLT)/Special Duty Assignment (SDA) Public Defense Investigator positions that may become available within the next six months. TLT/SDA assignments typically last between 6 and 24 months and may be extended or concluded earlier depending on business needs. Positions may be assigned to any division and located in either Seattle or Kent.

To be considered for this role submit the following items:

• Completed King County application.
• A current resume.
• Cover letter detailing your background and what you can bring to the Department of Public Defense.

Note: Special Duty opportunities are only open to current King County career service employees that have completed their initial probation. Special Duty applicants must have approval from their current supervisor to accept an assignment.

Pay Upon Special Duty Placement: Current employees selected for special duty will be compensated based upon the provisions of the King County Code/Personnel Guidelines or applicable CLA for their base position.

The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, references, a personnel file review going back the last three (3) years, and if applicable a background check. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience and attach the required documents to your application.

If you have questions, please contact our Talent Advisors, at .

WORK SCHEDULE AND LOCATION:The Investigator team works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change. The primary onsite location for this position may be Seattle or Kent.
Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

King County has a robust collection of to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

DPD maintains physical offices in the following locations:

• Dexter Horton Building, 710 Second Avenue, Seattle
• Jefferson Street Building, 1401 East Jefferson, Seattle
• Meeker Street Building, 420 West Harrison Street, Kent

Rotations of work location and and/or workflow are an essential function and can occur based on business need.

The typical workweek is 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This position is non-exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is eligible for overtime.

DPD PoliciesDPD Ethical Walls Policies and Procedures will apply to employees, such that if you work or have worked for one of DPD's divisions, you may be ineligible to work in another division.

Outside Work Policy for Administrative Staff will apply to employees, such that you must receive approval from your supervisor and Managing Attorney before being permitted to engage in outside employment for compensation or volunteer.

Union Membership
Positions in this classification are recognized by Service Employees International Union, Local 925.