Criminal Investigator

Open until filled 

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:
The 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office (serving Arapahoe County, Douglas County, Lincoln County and Elbert County) has an exciting opportunity for a Criminal Investigator!

We offer a generous benefits package, including but not limited to medical, dental, vision, 401K matching, paid holidays and PTO.  

Additionally, the 18th Judicial District also provides:

• Career advancement opportunities
• Trainings / Continuing Education 
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness opportunities for those who qualify.

GENERAL DUTIES:
(The following examples of essential duties are intended to be illustrative only and are not intended to be all inclusive.)

• Conducts pre and post case filing investigations of semi-complicated conventional crime activities, as well as complicated and often sensitive investigations; analyzes initial data to determine probable criminal law violations, case validity, and course of investigation. 
• Prepares preliminary witness/suspect lists, gathers evidence and documents through reports and supporting evidentiary lists those findings of fact to be included in the case file. 
• Performs surveillance activities as necessary, researches a wide variety of records and related documents; compiles, indexes, records and analyzes relevant data to develop case file as necessary for court filing. 
• Employs various evidence gathering techniques, including but not limited to witness interviews, suspect interrogation, wiretaps, crime scene searches, polygraph analysis and crime lab analysis. 
• Meets periodically with attorney(s) to discuss case preparation and advise in areas (such as plea bargaining) on cases that are highly visible and sensitive. 
• Coordinates investigations with other jurisdictional police agencies as necessary.
• May act as case coordinator to cooperating agencies' investigatory personnel; provides advice, expertise, or other assistance to these agencies within the 18th Judicial District. 
• Composes and prepares a variety of moderately complex to complex reports and warrant affidavits as required by law and established precedent. 
• Appears in court as required to testify as prosecution witness; serves as a special investigator for Grand Jury proceedings. 
• Ability to readily and independently prepare search warrant – and court order - affidavits, and to plan and execute search warrants, arrest warrants, orders for non-testimonial evidence seizure, and court-ordered production of records. 
• Performs all of the associated duties, including but not limited to: office and witness security, meetings with attorneys, public relations, handling citizens' complaints/inquiries, process serving, and transportation of case principals to court, may perform specialized functions in support of fellow workers' professional standards requirements, e.g., weapons training and arrest procedures. 
• Attends various professional meetings and seminars to exchange information and/or to discuss current or innovative techniques related to the field of criminal investigation.
• Provides technical assistance/training to agencies within the 18th Judicial District; may provide assistance with the preparation of annual unit budget requests.
   
   NOTE: Every incumbent in this position is expected to be fully competent in all of these duties, and independently capable of immediately performing all of these complex investigative functions under adverse conditions and without significant supervision.

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES: 

• Extensive knowledge of the civil and criminal law enforcement principles, procedures and techniques, statutes and ordinances applicable to the 18th Judicial District of Colorado.
• Extensive knowledge of the policies and procedures of the Office of the District Attorney. 
• Extensive knowledge of police procedures; ability to gain working knowledge of accounting, polygraph, or other specialized investigative fields. 
• Skill in interviewing; ability to gather, record and synthesize data; demonstrable interpersonal skills. 
• Ability to prepare complete and accurate reports, warrants, affidavits, evidence lists, audio-visual aids, etc. as required for case preparation, filing and prosecution. 
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, e.g., personal computer, iPad (tablet), fax, and copier. Proficiency in word processing and database programs, at minimum.
• Familiarity with police investigative databases and software, including criminal information databases and forensic downloading software. 
• Ability to perform all peace officer related duties; ability to act/react in stressful and threatening situations. 
• Ability to control (physically, if necessary) uncooperative individuals. 
• Ability to operate and demonstrate skill in the use of vehicles, firearms, and other related equipment utilized in investigative work. 
• Ability to independently conduct complicated, sensitive, and long-term criminal investigations under minimal direction. 
• Ability to adjust and meet the changing demands and needs of the position. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, attorneys, fellow investigators, suspects, witnesses, other police agency personnel and the general public; ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with same.

• Bachelor degree in Criminal Justice or a closely related field and Colorado POST certification as a Peace Officer.
• Four (4) years of previous police experience, two (2) of which must be at the level of Criminal Investigator (e.g. Police Detective) or any equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Possession of or the ability to obtain a Colorado Driver’s License.
• Certification as a Colorado Peace Officer (P.O.S.T.) and qualified as a marksman to established unit standards.

• Work in the class follows established guidelines and generally accepted investigative techniques and principles but may require incumbents to choose between several alternative methods at critical points in the investigation to determine a course of action. 
• The complexity and high sensitivity of assigned cases often requires extensive innovation on the part of the incumbent(s). 
• Positions assigned to this class are responsible for the safe operation of an office vehicle and other work-related equipment, e.g., radio, bugging devices, etc.; incumbents may have occasional custodial responsibilities for valuable evidentiary items. 
• Errors in judgment may result in false arrests, lost or destroyed evidence, or other occurrences that would adversely affect a case, public relations, or employee relation, and may have far reaching affects in operations.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: 

• May be designated primary (or “lead”) Investigator over subordinate investigator on a case-by case basis. 
• Contingent upon experience, may be required to supervise other investigator(s) in certain facets of their job. 
• May act as case coordinator to cooperating agencies' investigatory personnel.
• The assignment of semi-complex conventional crimes, as well as complex, and often highly sensitive criminal investigations requiring functioning autonomously under minimal supervision.
• Knowing and always abiding by the professional standards and ethical requirements set forth in the Rules of Professional Conduct, relevant legal precedent, POST requirements and internal professional and ethical expectations of the Office. 
• Requires an exemplary and proactive work ethic and attitude toward criminal investigation and prosecution.

• Reports directly to the Supervising Criminal Investigator or Chief Criminal Investigator. 

• Positions in this class are required to have extensive contact with superiors, fellow workers, attorneys, suspects, witnesses, court officials, other police agency personnel and the general public in situations that are often highly critical and sensitive in nature and scope and require well-developed interpersonal skills and the ability to analyze, interpret and explain both factual and conceptual data.

• Work is generally confined to an office environment or the field, although certain aspects of investigations may subject incumbents to extended working hours and potentially hazardous situations.
• Investigators are routinely “on call” and are subject responding to dynamic and potentially dangerous situations at any hour. 
• As such, each Investigator is required to train, participate in, and engage in “active shooter” protocols (scenarios) and remain prepared to respond to emergency situations on site.