Job Details
Administrative Investigator- Public Defender's Office
2025-09-15 Travis County TX Austin,TX
Description:
Minimum Requirements
Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice, Forensics, Sociology, Political Science, Psychology, Journalism, History or related field. Verifiable training or work/internship experience (cumulative minimum of 300 hours) performing investigative duties or intensive research in the field of law, media/journalism, public health/welfare, human/civil rights, education, social sciences, public policy/government/community development or related field.
OR,
Four years of verifiable experience as a licensed investigator or licensed administrative investigator. Experience must include performing investigative work in connection with administrative, juvenile petitions, criminal and/or civil crimes, complaints and/or violations.
OR,
Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.
Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
Valid Texas driver's license.
Special Requirements: Must be at least 21 years of age. Willingness to work irregular hours and/or occasionally travel out of town/state and stay overnight as individual investigations demand.
Please attach resume to online application.
Preferred:
• Spanish fluency, written and oral strongly preferred.
• Applications with a cover letter detailing interest in the position, including why you want to work for the Travis County Public Defender's Office.
• Mission-aligned experience (work or lived) engaging people/communities directly impacted by the criminal/immigration/indigent civil legal systems.
Knowledge of:
• The purpose and mission of the Public Defender's Office;
• Interviewing and investigative techniques and procedures;
• Elements of criminal/civil offenses and legal defenses;
• General rules of evidence;
• Laws and practices relating to the service of subpoenas and the treatment of witnesses;
• Standards of defense investigator ethics.
Skill in:
• Critical analysis and evaluation.
• Clear written and oral communication.
• Basic data analysis.
• General computing, word processing, and data entry.
• Use of measuring devices and/or film/digital photographic equipment.
• Organization and time management.
• Socially and culturally competent interaction with people from a wide variety of backgrounds, professions, and cultures, including people from marginalized communities.
Ability to:
• Recognize, collect, gather, and preserve evidence, including taking witness statements.
• Be objective in fact finding.
• Evaluate and analyze evidence, including forensic or scientific evidence, against elements of criminal offenses and legal defenses.
• Determine priorities and importance of various types of evidence.
• Quickly and consistently exercise sound judgment.
• Adapt to many different environments.
• Communicate effectively across lines of difference with others.
• Keep accurate records.
• Prepare written reports and documents of varying lengths.
• Navigate databases and access Internet resources.
The position is anticipated to start Fall 2025.
Work Environment & Other Information
The PDO is committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. The PDO strongly encourages candidates of all identities, experiences, abilities and communities to apply. All applicants should be dedicated to working in and sustaining an environment that enables staff and clients to feel empowered, valued, respected, and safe. In considering applicants, the PDO values an applicant's experience and/or thoughtfulness in working with people from communities that experience marginalization.
Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 50 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, walking, sitting, repetitive motion, reaching, climbing stairs, driving, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling, balancing, client/customer contact, squatting to perform the essential functions.
This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.
Department: Public Defender Office
Location: 1010 Lavaca Street, 2nd floor, Austin, TX 78701
Post-offer Criminal Background Check and Motor Vehicle Record Check required.
Benefits
Employment at Travis County comes with a full array of benefits. We offer comprehensive health insurance, a no-cost, on-site Health and Wellness clinic, longevity pay, paid vacations, sick time and personal holidays, not to mention an industry competitive salary structure and a friendly, stable work environment.
FY2025 Travis County Benefit Guide
In this valuable you will find benefit summaries, eligibility requirements, costs, contact numbers and addresses as well as other general information on the benefits available to Travis County Employees and Retirees.
Credit Union
Employees may join the Travis County Credit Union which offers low-interest loans, savings plans through payroll deduction, safe deposit boxes and other benefits.
Deferred Compensation
Employees may enroll in a tax- free sheltered investment plan through payroll deduction.
Direct Deposit
Employees may sign up for direct bank deposit.
Employee Assistance Program
Travis County provides a confidential counseling and referral service free of charge to county employees and their family.
Employee Organizations
Membership in the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Union is available through payroll deduction.
Employee Health & Wellness Clinic
Employees may access the clinic for a variety of wellness program and health care services with no co-pay, no deductible and no co-insurance costs.
Holidays
An average of eleven paid holidays are designated by the Travis County Commissioners Court at the beginning of each fiscal year.
Insurance
Employees may select from four plans: an Exclusive Physician Organization (EPO), Choice Plus Preferred Physician Organization (PPO), Consumer Choice or a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA). All four options include a Pharmacy Plan. Travis County's current policy is to pay 100% of the employee's health insurance premium for the Consumer Choice and HDHP. Employees will pay a premium for both the EPO and PPO. Other insurance benefits include $50,000 Basic Life and AD&D paid by the County.
The following benefits are employee paid:
New employees are covered on the first day of the month following 28 calendar days of employment.
Longevity
Longevity pay is paid for each year completed after three years of continuous service. Peace Officers in a law enforcement activity, whose job requires state peace officer certification, receive pay after one year of certification.
On the regular payday on or after the employee's fourth and subsequent adjusted service dates, he or she receives a single payment for the previous year.
Parking
A limited number of assigned parking spaces are available to employees in the Courthouse Complex.
Personal Holidays
Regular, full-time employees are eligible for up to three paid personal holidays each calendar year. Part-time employees shall be granted personal holidays on a prorated basis. New employees earn personal holidays for the calendar year in which he/she begins employment, based on the month in which employment begins:
January - March
3 personal holidays
April - June
2 personal holidays
July - September
1 personal holiday
October - December
None
New employees are eligible to take personal holidays after 90 days of employment.
Retirement
Travis County is a member of the Texas County & District Retirement System with mandatory participation by certain classes of employees. Seven percent (7%) of the gross salary is deducted each pay period. An employee is fully vested after eight years of service. Benefits are prorated for part-time employees.
Sick Leave
Regular employees earn sick leave at a rate of eight hours per month with unlimited accrual during employment. Part-time employees earn sick leave on a pro-rated basis.
Parental Leave
Each Full-time Paid Parental Leave Eligible (PPL) Employee is entitled to a total of 320 hours of Paid Parental Leave in a 12 month period. Paid Parental Leave for Part-time PPL Eligible Employees is prorated based on the number of hours that they are regularly scheduled to work.
Tuition Refund
Certain classes of full-time employees may receive reimbursement for fees associated with pre-approved, job related course work completed satisfactorily.
Vacation
Based on years of county service, regular, full-time employees earn vacation time at the following rates:
0 to 5 years
4.0 hours per pay period
6 to 10 years
4.5 hours per pay period
11 to 15 years
5.0 hours per pay period
16 to 20 years
5.5 hours per pay period
21 plus years
6.0 hours per pay period
Part-time employees earn vacation leave on a pro-rated basis.
Workers' Compensation
The county provides all employees workers' compensation coverage with benefits in accordance with state statute, if the employee sustains an injury out of, or in the course of work.
01
Do you have experience working in a Public Defender office?
02
Please describe any prior experience (lived or professional) working with people from communities that experience marginalization in Travis County, or elsewhere:
03
Are you fluent in Spanish, both written and spoken?
04
Do you speak or write any language other than English?
05
Do you speak or write any language other than English?
Required Question
Salary: $61,018.23 - $66,612.00 Annually
Location : Austin, TX
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 25-10198
Department: Public Defender
Opening Date: 09/05/2025
Closing Date: Continuous
Job Summary
The Travis County Public Defender's Office (PDO) is a comprehensive public defender office envisioned to be client-centered, independent, and innovative to the needs of Travis County residents. Consistent with nationally recognized best practices, the PDO provides high-quality holistic defense representation and other support to people, including juveniles and those living with serious mental illness/intellectual or developmental disability, accused of criminal offenses via its three divisions- General, Juvenile and Mental Health.
PDO Investigators are a critical part of the defense team as they work in concert with public defender attorneys to investigate allegations of suspected violations of criminal statutes and possible legal defenses to and mitigation against those allegations and use their findings to provide information to help guide the course and outcome of client representation.
* The position may be filled before the closing date. Applications will be reviewed and selected candidates will be contacted on a rolling basis. *
Distinguishing Characteristics:
This job is in the Court Services job family. It is distinguished from the Investigator job in that it does not require TCOLE certification. Requires working irregular hours and/or occasionally traveling out of town/state and stay overnight as individual investigations demand.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the assigned attorney, and in coordination with other members of the defense team:
- Plan and conduct complete investigations of criminal allegations and circumstances of clients lived experiences, including:
- Identifying, evaluating and collecting information, data and evidence;
- Visiting scenes, developing leads, contacts and sources of information;
- Interviewing clients;
- Locating and/or interviewing witnesses, complainants, family members, law enforcement officials, representatives of agencies and others across a wide variety of settings to gather statements and information on events surrounding allegations and/or relevant mitigating circumstances;
- Serving subpoenas;
- Taking photographs and measurements; and
- Collecting and evaluating physical and testimonial evidence.
- Present orally and in writing findings of investigation, including:
- Discussion and consultation with attorney and other members of the defense team;
- Maintenance of complete and accurate records of investigative activities;
- Preparation of written reports and statements;
- Drawing diagrams to scale; and
- Preparation of demonstrative evidence for use in proceedings related to the allegations such as diagrams, charts, and photographs.
- Appear as a witness in proceedings related to the criminal allegations to present facts and information discovered during investigation, including facts and information relevant to legal defenses to and mitigation against the allegations.
- All other duties as required.
Minimum Requirements
Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice, Forensics, Sociology, Political Science, Psychology, Journalism, History or related field. Verifiable training or work/internship experience (cumulative minimum of 300 hours) performing investigative duties or intensive research in the field of law, media/journalism, public health/welfare, human/civil rights, education, social sciences, public policy/government/community development or related field.
OR,
Four years of verifiable experience as a licensed investigator or licensed administrative investigator. Experience must include performing investigative work in connection with administrative, juvenile petitions, criminal and/or civil crimes, complaints and/or violations.
OR,
Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.
Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
Valid Texas driver's license.
Special Requirements: Must be at least 21 years of age. Willingness to work irregular hours and/or occasionally travel out of town/state and stay overnight as individual investigations demand.
Please attach resume to online application.
Preferred:
• Spanish fluency, written and oral strongly preferred.
• Applications with a cover letter detailing interest in the position, including why you want to work for the Travis County Public Defender's Office.
• Mission-aligned experience (work or lived) engaging people/communities directly impacted by the criminal/immigration/indigent civil legal systems.
Knowledge of:
• The purpose and mission of the Public Defender's Office;
• Interviewing and investigative techniques and procedures;
• Elements of criminal/civil offenses and legal defenses;
• General rules of evidence;
• Laws and practices relating to the service of subpoenas and the treatment of witnesses;
• Standards of defense investigator ethics.
Skill in:
• Critical analysis and evaluation.
• Clear written and oral communication.
• Basic data analysis.
• General computing, word processing, and data entry.
• Use of measuring devices and/or film/digital photographic equipment.
• Organization and time management.
• Socially and culturally competent interaction with people from a wide variety of backgrounds, professions, and cultures, including people from marginalized communities.
Ability to:
• Recognize, collect, gather, and preserve evidence, including taking witness statements.
• Be objective in fact finding.
• Evaluate and analyze evidence, including forensic or scientific evidence, against elements of criminal offenses and legal defenses.
• Determine priorities and importance of various types of evidence.
• Quickly and consistently exercise sound judgment.
• Adapt to many different environments.
• Communicate effectively across lines of difference with others.
• Keep accurate records.
• Prepare written reports and documents of varying lengths.
• Navigate databases and access Internet resources.
The position is anticipated to start Fall 2025.
Work Environment & Other Information
The PDO is committed to inclusive hiring and dedicated to diversity in our work and staff. The PDO strongly encourages candidates of all identities, experiences, abilities and communities to apply. All applicants should be dedicated to working in and sustaining an environment that enables staff and clients to feel empowered, valued, respected, and safe. In considering applicants, the PDO values an applicant's experience and/or thoughtfulness in working with people from communities that experience marginalization.
Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 50 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, walking, sitting, repetitive motion, reaching, climbing stairs, driving, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling, balancing, client/customer contact, squatting to perform the essential functions.
This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.
Department: Public Defender Office
Location: 1010 Lavaca Street, 2nd floor, Austin, TX 78701
Post-offer Criminal Background Check and Motor Vehicle Record Check required.
Benefits
Employment at Travis County comes with a full array of benefits. We offer comprehensive health insurance, a no-cost, on-site Health and Wellness clinic, longevity pay, paid vacations, sick time and personal holidays, not to mention an industry competitive salary structure and a friendly, stable work environment.
FY2025 Travis County Benefit Guide
In this valuable you will find benefit summaries, eligibility requirements, costs, contact numbers and addresses as well as other general information on the benefits available to Travis County Employees and Retirees.
Credit Union
Employees may join the Travis County Credit Union which offers low-interest loans, savings plans through payroll deduction, safe deposit boxes and other benefits.
Deferred Compensation
Employees may enroll in a tax- free sheltered investment plan through payroll deduction.
Direct Deposit
Employees may sign up for direct bank deposit.
Employee Assistance Program
Travis County provides a confidential counseling and referral service free of charge to county employees and their family.
Employee Organizations
Membership in the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Union is available through payroll deduction.
Employee Health & Wellness Clinic
Employees may access the clinic for a variety of wellness program and health care services with no co-pay, no deductible and no co-insurance costs.
Holidays
An average of eleven paid holidays are designated by the Travis County Commissioners Court at the beginning of each fiscal year.
Insurance
Employees may select from four plans: an Exclusive Physician Organization (EPO), Choice Plus Preferred Physician Organization (PPO), Consumer Choice or a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA). All four options include a Pharmacy Plan. Travis County's current policy is to pay 100% of the employee's health insurance premium for the Consumer Choice and HDHP. Employees will pay a premium for both the EPO and PPO. Other insurance benefits include $50,000 Basic Life and AD&D paid by the County.
The following benefits are employee paid:
- Dental
- Vision
- Supplemental Life, AD&D
- Dependent Life
- Short Term Disability
- Long Term Disability
- Long Term Care
New employees are covered on the first day of the month following 28 calendar days of employment.
Longevity
Longevity pay is paid for each year completed after three years of continuous service. Peace Officers in a law enforcement activity, whose job requires state peace officer certification, receive pay after one year of certification.
On the regular payday on or after the employee's fourth and subsequent adjusted service dates, he or she receives a single payment for the previous year.
Parking
A limited number of assigned parking spaces are available to employees in the Courthouse Complex.
Personal Holidays
Regular, full-time employees are eligible for up to three paid personal holidays each calendar year. Part-time employees shall be granted personal holidays on a prorated basis. New employees earn personal holidays for the calendar year in which he/she begins employment, based on the month in which employment begins:
January - March
3 personal holidays
April - June
2 personal holidays
July - September
1 personal holiday
October - December
None
New employees are eligible to take personal holidays after 90 days of employment.
Retirement
Travis County is a member of the Texas County & District Retirement System with mandatory participation by certain classes of employees. Seven percent (7%) of the gross salary is deducted each pay period. An employee is fully vested after eight years of service. Benefits are prorated for part-time employees.
Sick Leave
Regular employees earn sick leave at a rate of eight hours per month with unlimited accrual during employment. Part-time employees earn sick leave on a pro-rated basis.
Parental Leave
Each Full-time Paid Parental Leave Eligible (PPL) Employee is entitled to a total of 320 hours of Paid Parental Leave in a 12 month period. Paid Parental Leave for Part-time PPL Eligible Employees is prorated based on the number of hours that they are regularly scheduled to work.
Tuition Refund
Certain classes of full-time employees may receive reimbursement for fees associated with pre-approved, job related course work completed satisfactorily.
Vacation
Based on years of county service, regular, full-time employees earn vacation time at the following rates:
0 to 5 years
4.0 hours per pay period
6 to 10 years
4.5 hours per pay period
11 to 15 years
5.0 hours per pay period
16 to 20 years
5.5 hours per pay period
21 plus years
6.0 hours per pay period
Part-time employees earn vacation leave on a pro-rated basis.
Workers' Compensation
The county provides all employees workers' compensation coverage with benefits in accordance with state statute, if the employee sustains an injury out of, or in the course of work.
01
Do you have experience working in a Public Defender office?
- Yes
- No
02
Please describe any prior experience (lived or professional) working with people from communities that experience marginalization in Travis County, or elsewhere:
03
Are you fluent in Spanish, both written and spoken?
- Yes
- No
04
Do you speak or write any language other than English?
- Yes
- No
05
Do you speak or write any language other than English?
Required Question