On this page, you’ll find various positions from across California and the Country. DIA does not endorse any specific candidates or organizations. If you’d like to add a posting please let a board member know or contact us at DIAcalif@gmail.com . Best of luck in your pursuit of a noble profession!
Ventura County is located on the coast of Southern California, between Los Angeles and Santa Barabara Counties. Ventura County's largest city is Oxnard. Ventura has beaches, agriculture, and mountains for great hiking. Investigative Assistant I - This is the entry-level classification in the Investigative Assistant series The incumbent may be assigned to support a variety of defense efforts. Investigative Assistant II - This is the journey-level classification in the Investigative Assistant series. The incumbent will work independently with a variety of moderately complex cases or with others on more difficult cases. Investigative Assistant III - This is the advanced journey level classification in the Investigative Assistant series. Incumbents at this level work independently with a greater scope of responsibility of complex casework and may be assigned to support a variety of defense efforts.
Closing 2/27/2026 Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc. (FDSDI) is seeking qualified candidates for one or more full-time Investigator positions to join our defense team.FDSDI is the Federal Community Defender Organization for the Southern District of California. We are based in San Diego, with a branch office in El Centro, and are appointed to represent indigent persons accused of criminal offenses in federal court. We are independent from the local federal judiciary and funded by a sustaining grant awarded by Congress under the Criminal Justice Act. Our close proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border has a strong influence on our caseload. The majority of our clients are charged with drug and immigration related offenses. Our attorneys also have the opportunity to represent clients facing a wide variety of federal charges, including bank robbery, fraud, counterfeiting, pornography, assault, and firearms offenses. Spanish language requirement: Applicants must have the ability to speak, read, and write Spanish fluently
Closing 12/5/25 Tulare County Public Defender is looking to fill the management position of Chief Investigator. Tulare County (tuu-LAIR-ee ) is located in Northern California and is named for Tulare Lake. Once the largest freshwater lake west of the Great Lakes before it was drained for agricultural development. Tulare County comprises the Visalia-Porterville area. The county is located south of Fresno, spanning from the San Juaquin Valley east to the Sierra Nevada. Sequoia National Parkis located in the county, as is part of Kings Canyon National Park. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 473,117. The Tulare County Public Defender looking to hire experienced investigators for this journey level position, Individuals in this class carry a full case load of complex felony and misdemeanor cases and work with greater independence of action. For more about the Tulare Public Defender visit: Public Defender
Public Defender Director - Closing 10/10/2025 The Public Defender is an executive leader position appointed by the Board of Supervisors and is responsible for leading and overseeing the Office of the Public Defender, including supervision of all employees, strategic planning, development, budgetary and administrative oversight of all functions within the Office of the Public Defender. This position will have the opportunity to drive strategic development for future-focused organizational success and service, enhancing efficiency and service delivery, adapting public defense services based on recent legislation and other changes in law, and promoting cost-effective reforms in the criminal justice system. The Contra Costa County Public Defender’s office is dedicated to providing vigorous, client-centered advocacy to indigent persons accused of crimes. Their overriding goal is to serve the best interests of their clients in everything they do. They dedicate all available resources to their clients’ cases, thereby ensuring that each client receives excellent, individualized representation.
To learn more about the Public Defender's Office, please visit: Office of the Public Defender
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
Public Defender Investigator I - Closing 04/02/2025 As one of the original 27 counties created by the California Legislature in 1850, Contra Costa County is nestled in the northern portion of the San Francisco Bay Area’s East Bay region. The county’s name, which means “opposite coast,” refers to its position on the other side of the bay and reflects its Spanish heritage dating back to the Mexican land grant days of the 1830s. That influence can still be found today in community names such as Acalanes, Los Medanos, Las Juntas, Pacheco, and Mt. Diablo, which dominates the county landscape at 3,849 feet above sea level. Today, Contra Costa County encompasses 716 square miles and is home to 19 cities and numerous unincorporated communities. The county’s approximate 400,000 residences house a diverse population of more than 1.16 million residents, making it California’s ninth most populous county. The Contra Costa County Public Defender’s office is dedicated to providing vigorous, client-centered advocacy to indigent persons accused of crimes. Their overriding goal is to serve the best interests of their clients in everything they do. They dedicate all available resources to their clients’ cases, thereby ensuring that each client receives excellent, individualized representation.
Public Defender Investigator - Closing 11/17/24 Siskiyou County (SISK-yoo) is located in the northwestern part of California. The county has a population of 44,000 and is found in the Shasta Cascade region along the Oregon border. Because of its outdoor recreation, Mt. Shasta, McCloud River, and Gold Rush-era history, it is an important tourist destination within the state. The Public Defender’s Office provides legal counsel to indigent persons who have been charged with committing a felony or a misdemeanor. By appointment of the Superior Court judge, the Public Defender provides legal counsel to juveniles charged with committing a crime. The Public Defender may also represent those who are involuntarily committed to mental institutions or those placed in an involuntary conservatorship. Our office does not handle infractions, civil or family law matters.
All Closing 11/1/24 Santa Cruz County was one of the original counties of California, created in 1850dvfsfdsdfs at the time of statehood. Their Public Defender works towards their mission by promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in their agency, courtrooms, and community. They understand that unjust systems harm our clients and community. Challenging these systems requires us to examine our own implicit biases and adopt model practices for mitigating harm, elevating voices that have been muted by prejudice, classism, or racism, and moving forward together in strength. They stand for racial equality, social change, and equal justice for all. The County of Santa Cruz is hiring for several investigation positions. check out the links below: Public Defender Investigator I – EXTRA HELP - Public Defender Investigator II – FULL TIME PERMANENT POSITION - Public Defender Investigator III - EXTRA HELP -
Investigator: San Francisco, CA Open until filled, preference for response by 9/6/24 The Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Northern District of California is accepting applications for the full-time position of Investigator in the San Francisco office. More info at: www.ndcalfpd.org Benefits include health and life insurance, retirement, and a Thrift Savings Plan. For more information on benefits, visit: http://www.uscourts.gov/careers/benefits.
Public Defender Investigator I Closing 5/15/2024 The investigator position is an entry level class in this paraprofessional series. Incumbents receive on-the-job training in various technical and analytical duties in support of investigative activities and functions. Learn about Marin jobs and apply at: Job Opportunities - Marin County
The Office of the Federal Defender for the Eastern District of California is accepting applications for the position of Investigator in their Capital Habeas Unit (CHU) for its Sacramento Office. The CHU can represents individuals on state or federal death rows in their federal habeas corpus (§ 2254 or § 2255) and ancillary proceedings. Their current clients are on Death Rows in California, Arizona, and Texas. Sacramento is a city emanating a diverse and hopeful vibe reflective of California at-large. Throughout the year, the city is home to an abundance of cultural festivals, art shows, and displays of activism. There is a dynamic LGBTQ+ community whose pride celebrations are embraced city-wide. We boast the largest Mardi Gras parade in the US outside of New Orleans. Most of Sacramento’s ever-expanding dining and entertainment scene is within walking and biking distance of our Office. It is a lovely place to work and to live. For more information on benefits: http://www.uscourts.gov/careers/benefits.
Public Defender Investigator I - Closing 10/31/23 The County of Santa Clara provides essential services that people need on a daily basis to work and live in Silicon Valley. The County of Santa Clara delivers the services and information they need. Customer service is a top priority for the County, which oversees services and programs for a multilingual, culturally diverse community. The Public Defender is looking to hire investigators who, under supervision, perform field investigations, interview witnesses, gather evidence on behalf of indigents represented by the Office of the Public Defender.
Public Defender Investigator II - Continuous opening as needed Los Angeles County's Law Office of the Public Defender is headed up by Public Defender Ricardo Garcia who has presented for this organizations multiple times and supported DIA and DITA. This office is hiring experienced investigators. Exam contact is exams@pubdef.lacounty.gov . Check out details in the link below.
Founded in 2007, Quality Claims provides customized end-to-end hazard insurance recovery solutions to mortgage servicers and investors. Quality has continued to evolve to meet the needs of its clients by expanding its service offerings to provide a variety of unique servicing solutions. We offer expertise, integrity and transparency with a passion for ingenuity. Quality is a full-service Investigative Agency that works with law firms, Trustees, and loan servicers to locate individuals entitled to surplus funds, subjects of litigation, and collateral. Our licensed Private Investigators complete thorough investigations in order to meet the needs of our client. CA Private Investigator License #: PI 1888950 www.qualityclaims.com
Closing 10/16/23 Tulare County Public Defender is looking to fill the management position of Chief Investigator. Tulare County (tuu-LAIR-ee ) is located in Northern California and is named for Tulare Lake., once the largest freshwater lake west of the Great Lakes before it was drained for agricultural development. Tulare County comprises the Visalia-Porterville area. The county is located south of Fresno, spanning from the San Juaquin Valley east to the Sierra Nevada. Sequoia National Parkis located in the county, as is part of Kings Canyon National Park. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 473,117. The Tulare County Public Defender is mandated by state law and the Constitution to provide competent, effective and ethical legal representation to people unable to afford private counsel in certain kinds of cases where life or liberty issues are at stake. Attorneys from the Public Defender office are court appointed to represent: - defendants accused of crimes in misdemeanor and felony cases.- juveniles in delinquency cases.- mentally disabled individuals facing involuntary commitments to locked facilities (e.g., conservatorship proceedings).- Defendants facing incarceration in contempt of court cases arising out of a failure to obey civil court orders. These legal services are provided in a cost effective manner and at the same time ensures that the county criminal justice system operates efficiently and as much as possible achieves just results for Public Defender clients.
Closing 10/6/23 Special Investigator - Citizens' Law Enforcement Review Board-23037507U The Special Investigator provides technical and investigative staff support to the Citizens’ Law Enforcement Review Board (CLERB). The Special Investigator reports to the Executive Officer, CLERB and is responsible for investigating complaints of misconduct involving peace officers in the Sheriff or Probation departments, and deaths and other specified incidents arising out of or in connection with actions of peace officers.
Ventura County is located on the coast of Southern California, between Los Angeles and Santa Barabara Counties. Ventura County's largest city is Oxnard. Ventura has beaches, agriculture, and mountains for great hiking. The Supervising Sentencing Specialist oversees and performs the more complex mitigation assignments of the Sentencing Specialist Unit within the Public Defender's Office; is responsible for the daily oversight and supervision of staff who assist attorneys in developing defense strategies and recommendations related to alternative sentencing for clients; serves as a liaison with county and community mental health treatment providers, rehabilitative programs, social services agencies, and other county criminal justice partners; and works as an integral member of a multi-disciplinary legal defense team.
Contract Private Investigator Merced County Public Defender is hiring for the position of Contract Private Investigator. Salary: $5,583.00/month The contract is for approximately 1/3 of the Merced County Public Defender contract investigator caseload. State-licensed private investigators are invited to apply. Please provide a cover letter, resume, and redacted sample investigative report. Please send applications to Public Defender Vincent Andrade
Federal Public Defender Offices were established under the Criminal Justice Act of 1964. Under the Act, Federal Public Defenders are appointed to represent individuals accused of a federal crime, but unable to afford counsel. The Act was established to guarantee that those who cannot afford to pay a lawyer are represented with the same zeal and the same resources as defendants who have the money to pay a lawyer. We do this every day. Our offices are located in Denver, Colorado, Cheyenne and Casper Wyoming. Office of the Federal Public Defender (cofpd.org)
Public Defender Investigator I - Closing 6/27/22 The Contra Costa County Public Defender’s Office (CCPD) is excited to announce a recruitment for the position of Public Defender Investigator I. Under the supervision of the Public Defender Chief Investigator, persons in this class are responsible for investigating felony and misdemeanor criminal cases for the defense of indigent persons represented by the Public Defender's Office. This work is performed with considerable independence. Depending on the investigation, the duties of an investigator may entail long hours at odd times of the day or night. The Contra Costa County Office of the Public Defender has approximately 90 attorneys and 13 investigators serving the Courts of Contra Costa County. Contra Costa is located in the Bay Area, extending from the San Francisco Bay to the western edge of California’s Central Valley. One of the most populous counties in California, Contra Costa encompasses a range of urban, suburban and rural communities. CCPD has an office in Richmond serving West County, an office in Martinez serving Central and East County and a Juvenile Defense Office in Walnut Creek. In addition, they oversee an Alternate Defenders office in Martinez.
Public Defender Investigator II - Closing 6/2/2023 Public Defender Investigator TRAINEE - Closing 6/8/2023 The Department of the Public Defender in San Diego County is looking for experienced investigators to fill this journey level position and also . Investigators perform a wide variety of investigations of alleged violations of criminal laws to support the defense of persons represented by the Public Defender and to perform related work as required. San Diego County heavily invests in technology, appreciates diversity, and has an ongoing commitment to excellence. Consider joining this dedicated team! Visit the San Diego Public Defender website for details on our office and County: Office of the Public Defender (sandiegocounty.gov)
Public Defender Investigator- Closing 3/7/23 Santa Barbara County is located on the Coast of California north of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. The mainstays of the county's economy include engineering, resource extraction (particularly petroleum extraction and diatomaceous earth mining), winemaking, agriculture, and education. The software development and tourism industries are important employers in the southern part of the county. The Santa Barbara County Public Defender’s Office represents people living in poverty and who have been traditionally marginalized from a holistic and client-centered perspective. They stand with clients every day in many courtrooms and now Zoom rooms across Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, and Lompoc cities. They walk with adults and children into arraignments, misdemeanor, felony, trial, and advocate in mental health, veterans, and drug specialty courts to avoid the potentially lifelong and crushing aftermath of criminal cases, involuntary commitment, or unresponsive probate or conservatorship situations. By doing so, they enhance public safety by holding the legal system to uphold the constitutional and statutory rights of the community and honor their spaces, stories, and struggles. An organization that grapples with issues of racial justice and equity to heal the past injustices that influence our community daily. To learn more about this office visit https://www.countyofsb.org/187/Public-Defender
Public Defender Investigator I Public Defender Investigator II Public Defender Investigator Senior Closing 2/20/23 Ventura County is located on the coast of Southern California, between Los Angeles and Santa Barabara Counties. Ventura County's largest city is Oxnard. Ventura has beaches, agriculture, and mountains for great hiking. The Ventura County Public Defender is seeking to fill different levels of Investigator positions. (including Temporary and Fixed-Term), Intermittent, and Extra Help vacancies.There is currently one Regular vacancy for the position of Public Defender Investigator I. Candidates successfully completing the examination process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one year.
Public Defender Investigator I CLOSING 10/3/2022 Alameda County is recruiting for the entry level Investigator position. The Alameda County Public Defender's Office provides the highest quality of indigent criminal defense by vigorously advocating for the rights of individuals facing criminal charges in adult and juvenile court. Our mission is to zealously protect and defend the rights of clients through compassionate and inspired legal representation of the highest quality, in pursuit of a fair and unbiased system of justice for all. The Alameda County Office is one of the oldest Public Defender offices in the nation, chartered in 1927 by Earl Warren who later became Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. Today, our team of more than 100 attorneys, 18 investigators and 40 support staff handle approximately 30,000 cases per year providing innovative, holistic defense services for Alameda County residents. In 2012, the office was named the "Best Law Firm" in the East Bay by the Alameda County Bar Association.For additional info, please visit: http://www.acgov.org/defender/ .
The Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Central District of California is accepting applications for serveral full-time career positions . Click below to explore the careers they offer: Benefits include health and life insurance, retirement, and a Thrift Savings Plan. For more information on benefits, see http://www.uscourts.gov/careers/benefits.
Supervisory Investigator of the Commission on Police Practices - Closing 9/19/2022 The Supervising Investigator will supervise the day-to-day operations of the investigators in the Office of the Commission on Police Practices and oversee the investigators’ work product, review evidence collection and procedures, administer investigative techniques, and manage the most complex, sensitive, and difficult investigations. The Supervising Investigator will coordinate the work of the investigators, prepare work performance evaluations, train new investigators, provide on-going training of staff, and participate in the hiring and discipline of investigators with the Executive Director. The Supervising Investigator will also prioritize and assign investigations and related tasks Candidates are required to have a bachelor’s degree with a major in criminal justice, law enforcement, administration of justice, political science, criminology, or a comparable field of study from an accredited college/university. Additionally, they should have five(5) years conducting civil, criminal, or factual investigations that involve gathering, analyzing and evaluating evidence, conducting interviews with friendly and adverse witnesses and documenting information in written form, including at least three (3) years of progressively responsible managerial and/or supervisory experience. For information about this position, please contact: David Niemeyer, CPS HR Consulting - (916) 471-3366
Public Defender Investigator Trainee - Closing 9/9/2022Public Defender Investigator II - Closing 8/12/2022 The Department of the Public Defender in San Diego County is looking for experienced investigators to fill this journey level position. Investigators perform a wide variety of investigations of alleged violations of criminal laws to support the defense of persons represented by the Public Defender; and to perform related work as required. San Diego County heavily invests in technology, appreciates diversity, and has an ongoing commitment to excellence. Consider joining this dedicated team! Visit the San Diego Public Defender website for details on our office and County: Office of the Public Defender (sandiegocounty.gov)
Public Defender Investigator- Closing 8/17/22 The Yolo County Public Defender’s Office provides legal services to adult, indigent persons accused of felony and misdemeanor criminal violations; juveniles prosecuted for alleged conduct that would be criminal if they were adults; proposed conservatees in mental health (conservatorship) cases; and other persons whose liberty may be affected by the government. Yolo is also looking to hire attorneys: Deputy Public Defender
Public Defender Investigator I – Bilingual Support Service Worker II – Bilingual Both Closing 8/19/2022 The investigator position is an entry level class in this paraprofessional series. Incumbents receive on-the-job training in various technical and analytical duties in support of investigative activities and functions. The Support Service Worker II – Bilingual (Public Defender DMV Liaison) is responsible for assisting Public Defender clients charged with criminal driving offenses, or generally in need of assistance, clear all impediments to obtaining a valid California Driver’s License. Learn about Marin jobs at: Job Opportunities - Marin County Human Resources
Investigator Position - Apply by 7/31/22Paralegal position - Apply by 8/14/22 The Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Western District of Washington (FPD) is accepting applications for a full-time criminal defense investigator for our Seattle office. The FPD operates under the authority of the Criminal Justice Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3006A, to provide legal representation to people charged with committing federal crimes who cannot afford to hire an attorney. The Court appoints their attorneys to represent accused persons before they are charged, upon arrest, for the appeals process, and through federal habeas corpus review. They are also seeking paralegals. For Investigator position, the starting salary range is $73,098 to $123,114 and the full performance salary range is $95,022 to $160,047. Interested persons can learn more by visiting our website at: www.fd.org/careers/employment.
Closed 6/30/22 USMC is looking for someone to serve as a DEFENSE LITIGATION INVESTIGATION SPECIALIST in the OFFICE OF THE REGIONAL DEFENSE COUNSEL of HQ US MARINE CORPS . Salary range: $81,216 - $105,579 per year, Pay scale & grade: GS 13 This is for a vacancy in Camp Foster, Japan. See their website for details on the office: www.hqmc.marines.mil/DSO
Public Defender Investigator II - Closing 7/12/22 Los Angeles County's Law Office of the Public Defender is headed up by Public Defender Ricardo Garcia who has presented for this organizations multiple times and supported DIA and DITA. This office is hiring experienced investigators. Exam contact is exams@pubdef.lacounty.gov . Check out details in the link below.
Public Defender Investigator I - Closing 4/14/22 The County of Santa Clara provides essential services that people need on a daily basis to work and live in Silicon Valley. The County of Santa Clara delivers the services and information they need. Customer service is a top priority for the County, which oversees services and programs for a multilingual, culturally diverse community. The Public Defender is looking to hire investigators who, under supervision, perform field investigations, interview witnesses, gather evidence on behalf of indigents represented by the Office of the Public Defender.
Assistant Computer Systems Administrator (ACSA) Closing 4/30/22 The Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Central District of California is accepting applications for the full-time position of a Assistant Computer Systems Administrator (ACSA)the Los Angeles office. More info at:https://www.fpdcdca.org/careers/current-openings/. Benefits include health and life insurance, retirement, and a Thrift Savings Plan. For more information on benefits, see http://www.uscourts.gov/careers/benefits.
The County of Yolo is recruiting to fill one, regular, full-time position in the class of Public Defender Investigator I/II at the Public Defender Office. The candidtate selected will be placed at the Public Defender Investigator I or II level depending on their background and experience, and at the discretion of the appointing authority. Public Defender Investigator I Public Defender Investigator. This is the entry level to the Public Defender Investigator Series. Incumbents work under close supervision in conducting routine defense investigations relating to misdemeanors, and felonies Public Defender Investigator II This is the journey level of the Public Defender Investigator Series. Incumbents work under general supervision in conducting defense investigations relating to misdemeanors and felonies
