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Employment Opportunities

The Orleans Public Defenders does not receive resumes outside of the application processes for particular jobs. In order for a resume to be considered, it must be provided in response to a particular job ad, according to the procedures described in the job ad.  Resumes provided in relation to a particular job ad are not retained once that job is filled. Those interested in positions with the OPD should check the OPD website regularly for job postings, and must apply separately for each position of interest.

Current Openings:

 

 

Investigator Supervisor Position

 

The Orleans Public Defenders (OPD) is seeking to hire an Investigator Supervisor.  An Investigator Supervisor must be committed to OPD’s mission.  That is, to provide each eligible client with client-centered legal representation of the highest quality – zealous, conscientious, caring, professional, ethical and skilled – whether in criminal, juvenile or municipal/traffic court.  An Investigator Supervisor must be familiar with all the different OPD resources to assist clients with their cases, including effective and efficient use of law clerks, volunteers, and the Defender Services Program (DSP).  An Investigator Supervisor must be a team player willing to assist in administrative and managerial responsibilities while carrying a reduced caseload and supervising the investigative division.

 

An Investigator Supervisor must have at least 2 years of experience as a defense investigator.  The responsibilities of an investigator supervisor include:

 

·      Directing the Investigation Division of OPD; exercising functional guidance and administrative control for the division and all investigators; implements and maintains OPD policies and standards.

·      Conducting regular meetings with each of the investigators in the division regarding cases, case loads, scheduling, and other concerns.

·      Providing prompt feedback to  and completing written evaluations of investigators in the following areas:

o   Reviewing and analyzing discovery and other case documentation;

o   Assisting in determining scope, timing, and direction of the investigation, as well as the initiation of new areas of investigation;

o   Identifying, locating, and interviewing all witnesses, including prosecution, defense, and expert witnesses;

o   Locating, obtaining, reviewing, analyzing, summarizing, and preserving records and materials relevant to both the guilt and sentencing phases of the case;

o   Developing issues and evidence that may mitigate any potential sentence, particularly by gathering social history records and conducting interviews that focus on early childhood development, education, employment, and the medical and mental health background of the client and his family;

·      Assisting in the coordination of investigative assignments;

·      Coordinating volunteer resources for the team;

·      Participating in hiring and retention of investigators and other staff;

·      Participating in strategic planning meetings;

·      Be on call to address any matters that may arise during court hours.

 

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STAFF INVESTIGATOR

 

Opening Date: January 4, 2010                                      Closing Date: January 31, 2010

 


Office Overview: The Orleans Public Defenders (OPD) is an independent legal office providing representation to indigent defendants in Orleans Parish. The OPD is committed to excellence in the provision of legal services for indigent defendants and client-centered representation that respects the humanity and dignity of those accused of crimes.  Further details are available at the OPD website, www.opdla.org

 

Principal Duties: Staff investigators work with legal defense counsel to investigate alleged crimes and possible defenses to those allegations.  Staff investigators are assigned to investigate criminal cases from the time an OPD lawyer enrolls on the case to the time at which trial or sentencing is complete.  Staff investigators also occasionally work on post-conviction issues.  Among other duties, investigating a case may require locating and interviewing witnesses, taking statements from witnesses, performing background checks, surveying and photographing crime scenes, preparing demonstratives for trial, and testifying.  Investigators are responsible for verifying and corroborating information obtained, analyzing that information, and memorializing the information obtained and the results of that analysis in regular reports to OPD lawyers. The position is full-time; no outside compensated work is permitted.

 

Qualifications Required: Candidates for this position must have obtained a Bachelor’s degree. A Bachelor's degree in a related field is preferred but not necessary. Previous experience with indigent defense or investigation may improve an applicant's chance of an offer of employment and so should be disclosed but such experience is not necessary for employment. Candidates must exhibit exceptional problem-solving ability, i.e., the ability to analyze problems and identify creative and unorthodox solutions to those problems; the ability to gather, organize, and evaluate data; big social skills, i.e., the ability to easily and comfortably communicate with strangers; big oral and written communication skills; and a demonstrated interest in serving disadvantaged populations. 


Other Requirements: A criminal record does not automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration but any arrests or convictions must be disclosed in a separate attachment to the application. Additionally, a candidate must have an insured, reliable, and available car and a valid driver’s license.


Compensation:

Staff investigators will be paid $30,000 per year plus health benefits.

 

Training:

All new staff investigator hires, regardless of experience level, will participate in a comprehensive four day investigations training program. After completing training, new staff investigator hires will be paired with a senior-level staff investigator with whom they will apprentice for a period of time to be determined by the Chief Investigator.

 

Application Procedure:

This is a rolling application process: available positions will be filled as qualified applicants are identified and applications will be accepted until all positions are filled. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

 

To apply, submit:

 

(1) a cover letter explaining your interest in the position;

(2) a résumé;

(3) if it has been less than five years since your graduation: an official transcript mailed to our office directly from your university's registrar;

(4) a written response to the Statement of Qualifications below; and

(5) a list of three references

 

to Director of Operations at

 

Statement of Qualifications:

All applicants are required to submit a separate, detailed, and concise narrative statement detailing the following, to the extent applicable:


1. Skill in conducting interviews and recognizing, exploring, and exploiting leads (skill need not come  from experience as an investigator);

2. Skill in effective and articulate oral and written communication (skill need not come from experience as an investigator); and

 

3. Any experience in criminal defense investigations, including knowledge and training in the basic principles and techniques of investigation.

 

 

            Correspondence or questions may also be directed to:

 

                        Michael Bradley

Orleans Public Defenders
2601 Tulane Ave., Ste 700

New Orleans, LA 70119

 

T: (504) 821-8101

F: (504) 821-5285

 

OPD is an equal opportunity employer.

 

 

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