Job Description

Objectives Summary

Travel may be required throughout the State of New Mexico.
The objective summary of this job classification is to investigate the facts of a case to assist the attorney in developing a defense for clients charged with crimes in New Mexico.

For more information about living in Albuquerque, New Mexico, click here.

Our department offers flexible work opportunities, including teleworking (a.k.a. working from home) and work schedules outside the typical 8 am to 5 pm schedule. Applicants selected for a position are encouraged to discuss these options with the hiring manager early in the hiring process to ensure the specifics of any terms and conditions of an approved flexible work arrangement are clearly understood.

Essential Functions

Work independently to investigate the facts of a case and to assist the attorney in developing a defense for clients charged with crimes in New Mexico.
Conduct interviews, obtain statements regarding investigated issues; collects information involving agreements, documents, financial records, physical aspects and other evidence relating to corporations and individuals being investigated.
Investigate and reply to correspondence regarding hearings, accidents, and other legal matters.
Perform work that must be "undercover" in order to get information or to observe a subject or witness inconspicuously.
Using photographic and video cameras, binoculars, cell phones and GPS systems, investigators gather information on an individual.
Visit, photograph, document and recreate scenes of alleged incidents with or without the assigned attorney
Investigators perform physical surveillance, which may be high tech or low tech.
Assist attorneys with trial preparation and testify at trial or hearings as needed;
Review reports of investigations to ensure completeness and proper application of the governing laws or regulations.
Review discovery in the analysis of criminal cases
Conduct tactical analysis of complex criminal cases and organizes large amounts of diverse information into concise analytical form; create charts, graphs and spreadsheets to characterize criminal activities and determine appropriate methods of analysis; provide criminal strategic analysis and recommend actions based on findings.
Review chain of custody forms, review manner in which police or laboratories gathered evidence to find flaws or mishandling of evidence.
Possess and utilize knowledge of general aspects of crime-scene management in the digital age vs. physical evidence.
Train staff in investigating procedures, interrogation, and factual analysis;
Review evidence for possible cross-contamination.
Coordinate with administrative support staff to best serve the needs of the client and case.
Serve subpoenas
Maintains accurate files of correspondence and materials relating to investigation assignments.
Produce high quality of written records and reports
This classification may be required to report to a judicial partner’s building or office. Which may include Courthouses, District Attorney Offices, Detention Centers and/or Correctional Facilities. To perform the essential functions, an incumbent in this classification may be required to successfully complete a 3rd party background check conducted by a judicial partner.

Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Business and Administration, Criminology, Criminal Justice, Police Science or other related field and two (2) years of job related experience. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling six (6) years may substitute for the required education and experience.

Employment Requirements

Must possess and maintain a valid driver's License.

Collective Bargaining: This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to.

Default FLSA: Non-exempt

The Law Offices of the Public Defender is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis on race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, spousal affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, political affiliation or religion, mental or physical disability, or serious medical condition.

This job advertisement may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

Preference may be given to multilingual applicants fluent in English and other languages.

The State's General Services Department Risk Management Division, Employee Benefits Bureau (EBB), is responsible for the procurement and oversight of employee benefits - including Medical, Pharmacy, Dental, Vision, Short & Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance. The State's Group Benefits Plan also offers COBRA, Flexible Spending Account Programs, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Erisa Administrative Services, Inc. (Erisa) is the State's Third Party Administrator. They provide benefits administration to all plan participants, and offer knowledgeable staff to answer your questions. To learn more about the benefits available please click here.

Benefits
In addition to the benefits listed above, the Law Offices of The Public Defender offers a retirement plan and a medical program for retirees. For more information regarding the plan you can visit the following websites:

Public Employees Retirement Association of New Mexico Website

New Mexico Retiree Health Care Authority
Total Compensation Package
As an employee of the Law Offices of the Public Defender (LOPD), you receive regular pay for your services. The other part of your total compensation is the value of the benefits LOPD makes available to you and, if applicable, your family. The Total Compensation Estimator is for illustrative purposes only and provides benefits-eligible employees an estimate of their total compensation based on selected options from the drop-downs in the estimator.

Please click here to download the Total Compensation Estimator on our website, Join Our Team section.

This estimator is not a legal document. All benefits are governed by the actual benefit plans, which have precedence over the information reported in this calculator. Rates are not guaranteed and may change annually based on legislative decisions. If you have any questions about this estimator, don't hesitate to get in touch with Human Resources at LOPD-HR@lopdnm.us

State and Federal Laws - Rights of Employees* Employers are required by state and federal law to post certain information concerning the rights of employees. The required posters are listed below and may be printed individually using a standard printer and paper.
Human Rights Act Poster- PDF file
New Mexico Job Health and Safety Protection (State OSHA)
New Mexico Workers' Compensation Act and supply of Notice of Accident (NOA) Forms
Human Trafficking - (English) (Español) (Navajo)
Paid Sick Leave - (English) (Español) (Vietnamese)

New Mexico state minimum wage is $12.00 per hour effective January 1, 2023. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour effective July 24, 2009. More information can be read at Minimum Wages Information.

Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law - (English), (Español)
Job Safety and Health Protection - (English), (Español)
Employee Polygraph Protection Act - (English), (Español)
Family Medical Leave Act - (English), (Español)
Pregnant Workers Fairness Act - (English), (Espanol)
Employee Rights under USERRA - (English)

Please contact LOPD-HR@lopdnm.us for questions.

Please indicate the highest level of education you have completed. If you have responded that you have an education higher than a high school diploma or GED, you must attach a copy of your official/unofficial transcript(s) that clearly state the type of degree and date awarded/conferred, institution name, and applicant name and is in a format that cannot be modified.

Doctorate
Master's Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Associates Degree or Technical/Vocational Certificate
High School Diploma or GED
Less than a High School Diploma or GED

How many total years of experience do you have documented in the Work Experience section of your application related to this Job Classification? Please NOTE: If the years of experience that you indicate below cannot be found in the Work Experience section of this application, your application may not be eligible for further consideration. It is recommended that you attach documents that support your work experience at this time. If you are attempting to attach documents, but are unable to, you should email lopd-hr@lopdnm.us, with the documents and your contact information. Or if selected for an interview, you should bring the documents to your interview.

10 years of experience
9 years of experience
8 years of experience
7 years of experience
6 years of experience
5 years of experience
4 years of experience
3 years of experience
2years of experience
1 year of experience
6 Months
3 Months
None

Please choose the level that best describes your experience working with criminal cases proceedings from first appearances to sentencing?

Advanced
Intermediate
Beginner
Not Familiar