Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services
Open Position – Call for Applicants
Special Investigator
29th Judicial District Public Defender Office
(Wyandotte County)
Kansas City, KS
Special Investigator:
The Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services is accepting applications for the position of Special Investigator in the 29th Judicial District Public Defender Office in Kansas City, Kansas.
The Mission:
The Board of Indigents’ Defense Services (BIDS), through its regional public defender offices like the 29th Judicial District Public Defender Office, represents adults charged with felonies who cannot hire an attorney. By supporting and elevating public defense in the State of Kansas, BIDS empowers its team to provide relentless representation and collaborative, holistic advocacy in service of client-centered outcomes.
The Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services is in the process of remaking its public defense model with a renewed emphasis on building public defense offices with an interdisciplinary team-based collaborative defense system that uses community connections and resources to better represent not just an individual’s case, but the client as a whole.
The office of the 29th Judicial District Public Defender is entirely new in Wyandotte County. We are looking for dynamic, client-centered Special Investigators who are passionate about the importance of public defense and are interested in aiding our efforts to fundamentally rebuild our system and transform the new public defender office in the 29th Judicial District into a model of collaborative public defense practice.
Responsibilities and Qualifications:
Special Investigators operate under the supervision of the Chief Public Defender or the Deputy Public Defender. Special Investigators play an important role on the defense team, and are primarily responsible for conducting investigation, evidence review, interviewing witnesses, writing investigative reports, preparing and serving subpoenas, and testifying in court when needed, among other tasks. Candidates for this position should have strong communication, organization, and analytical skills. Special Investigators must abide by the ethical and professional standards required of criminal defense teams.
It is expected that the duties of a Special Investigator will include the following (in addition to other tasks, as assigned):
- Identify, contact, and interview witnesses, take witness statements, prepare affidavits, and offer testimony when needed on witness statements.
- Organize, review, and summarize evidence.
- Meet with clients and witnesses in custody (jail, prison, courthouse) and out of custody, including at their place of residence or employment.
- Watch court proceedings and provide summaries of court proceedings.
- Coordinate with experts to provide assistance in cases when requested.
- Prepare and serve subpoenas.
- Conduct background checks and locate witnesses.
- Obtain signed releases from clients; communicate with records custodians at schools, medical facilities, psychiatric facilities, drug treatment providers, and the VA, among others, to obtain records for the defense team.
- Obtain and document prior criminal history.
- Complete redaction of paper files and video.
- Other projects as assigned by the Chief Public Defender or Deputy Public Defender.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Must be able to develop the skills necessary to complete the tasks required, and become proficient in managing a range of tasks for a team of attorneys and staff members.
- Must be able to work independently and manage their time to complete tasks in a timely and efficient manner.
- Must be able to respectfully interact with clients, colleagues, and the courts.
- Must have attention to detail.
- Must follow the highest standards of professional conduct. Must have a keenly developed and uncompromising set of personal and professional ethics.
Frequent local travel and occasional statewide travel.
Education:
- Minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent
- College degree with a focus on criminal justice or legal studies preferred
Licensing & Certification
- Must have a valid driver’s license
Salary and Benefits:
Compensation for this position (Special Investigator) is $17.79/hr – $28.27/hr. Salary may vary depending upon experience or qualifications. We are happy to discuss compensation expectations with interested applicants.
The State of Kansas Employment Benefits Package includes:
- First day of employment comprehensive coverage under the State Employee Health Plan (SEHP) for medical, prescription drug coverage, dental, and vision Tax advantage accounts are available and include options such as a Health Savings Account, Health Reimbursement Account, and Flexible Spending Accounts
- Additional voluntary benefits including Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Accident Insurance, and Critical Illness Insurance
- SEHP members and their covered family members have access to the HealthQuest Health Center at 9th and Kansas Avenue in Topeka for in person and virtual health care services
- Sick & Vacation leave
- Work-Life Balance programs: paid parental leave, military leave, jury leave, and funeral leave
- Paid State Holidays
- Fitness Centers in select locations
- Employee discounts with the STAR Program: https://oitsapps.ks.gov/da/ops/star/
- Retirement and deferred compensation programs
Application Materials Needed
- Cover letter
- Resume
- List of three professional references
- If you are claiming Veteran’s Preference, please also include your DD214
Send cover letter, resume, list of references, and DD214 (if applicable) by email to Bryan Crouch at bidsrecruiter@sbids.org:
Bryan Crouch
Human Resources Professional, Administration Office
State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services
When emailing application materials, please include “Special Investigator – Wyandotte” in your email subject line.
Please be aware that if an offer of employment is made, actual employment is subject to the Governor’s salary approval.
Each applicant (even non-residents) applying for a State of Kansas job vacancy must obtain and submit a valid Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate within 10 days from the date of the offer letter to the hiring agency by accessing the Kansas Department of Revenue’s website at https://www.kdor.ks.gov/apps/taxclearance/default.aspx. A Tax Clearance Certificate is a comprehensive tax account review to determine and ensure that an individual’s account is compliant with all primary Kansas Tax Laws. A Tax Clearance expires every 90 days. This is in accordance with Executive Order 2004-03. If you need assistance with the tax clearance, please contact 785-296-3199 or by email at kdor_specialprojects@ks.gov.
How to Claim Veterans Preference
Veterans’ Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a “veteran”; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans’ preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.
Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference: https://admin.ks.gov/offices/personnel-services/jobs/veterans-preference
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How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference
Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.
Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference: https://admin.ks.gov/offices/personnel-services/jobs/disability-hiring-preference
PLEASE NOTE: The documentation verifying a person’s eligibility for use of this preference should not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be sent either by fax to (785)296-7712, scanned and emailed to Gustavo.Victoriano@ks.gov, or can be mailed/delivered in person to:
ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator
Office of Personnel Services
Landon State Office Building
900 SW Jackson, Rm 401
Topeka, KS 66612
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Equal Employment Opportunity
The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.
If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.
Advertised by Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services.