Investigator

Description

The 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office is located in beautiful Colorado Springs, Colorado. The 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office is committed to our community and our mission to administer justice, advocate for victims, and partner with law enforcement and citizens in this community for the deterrence and prevention of crime. The office has a staff of 225 employees comprised of attorneys, investigators, and support personnel. 

 

Investigates alleged or suspected criminal violations of federal, state, or local laws for both El Paso and Teller Counties to determine if evidence is sufficient to recommend prosecution. Assists prosecutors in trial preparation of cases already filed with the District Attorney’s Office.

Requirements

Qualifications:  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily and in compliance with job standards.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

Individual must have a minimum of three years of experience in law enforcement.

 

Weapons: Investigators employed by the District Attorney’s Office are Peace Officers as defined by C.R.S. 16-2.5-133 and therefore have the authority to carry a firearm, concealed or otherwise, while engaged in the performance of their duties. While employed as an Investigator for the District Attorney’s Office, investigators are required to carry a firearm on his/her person while on duty. Investigators must successfully qualify with their duty firearm a minimum of two times a year or as directed by the Chief Investigator. Investigators are authorized to carry their firearm during non-duty hours at their own discretion.

Individual must qualify on the range.

 

Education:  H.S. Diploma or and/or technical school.

 

Certificates, licenses, Registrations: Valid Driver’s License and Colorado P.O.S.T. Certification.

 

Language Skills:   Ability to read and interpret documents in English; secondary language beneficial.  Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups.

 

Reasoning Ability:  Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables.  Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

 

Computer Skills:  To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of, and be able to use, Database software, Internet software and Word Processing software; must be able to use a computer to type reports.

 

Other Skills and Abilities:  Must possess and carry a firearm that meets the firearm protocol described in Section 4-131 of the Office of the District Attorney Policies and Procedures Manual at all times while on duty or on scene.  Knowledge of modern investigative techniques and methods as related to federal, state and local laws ordinances.

 

Physical Demands:  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.  The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, run or crawl.  Employee is occasionally required to physically restrain combative suspects, which requires proficiency in handcuffing techniques.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and depth perception. 

Individual must complete a physical. 

 

Work Environment:  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Summary

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Analyzes charges, complaints, or allegations of law violations to identify issues involved and types of evidence needed.
  • Standard: Investigators are required to thoroughly investigate each case assigned and perform all of the tasks requested, including identifying and interviewing additional witnesses and documenting additional evidence discovered during their investigation. Ensures that the elements of the crime are present and the charges are appropriate.
• Assists in determining scope, timing, and direction of investigations.
  • Standard: Investigators will work with the Chief Investigator, Senior Investigator or other District Attorney staff to determine which tasks need to be completed. Tasks will be prioritized and completed within deadlines.
• Works in partnership with various investigative units and agencies to prioritize criminal apprehension efforts and decrease criminal activity related to wanted individuals, including being on call at homicide scenes. Prepares arrest warrants for fugitive apprehension efforts.  Develops and uses informants to get leads and information.
  • Standard: Investigators will partner with El Paso and Teller County law enforcement agencies to prioritize investigative and apprehension efforts to ensure successful prosecution of criminal activities. Arrest warrants will be prepared and executed by Investigators for fugitives with respect to cases being prosecuted by the District Attorney’s Office. All leads should be investigated with complete follow-up and findings documented in a format presentable for court or discovery purposes.
• Identifies, seizes, and preserves evidence as appropriate.
  • Standard:  Evidence should be collected with attention to evidence protocol and the written standards defined in Investigations Standard Operating Procedures section INV 4-2.
• Establishes facts by interviewing, observing, and interrogating suspects and witnesses and analyzing records.
  • Standard: Will be available for witness interviews as requested by attorney staff.  When practicable interviews will be scheduled in advance so that appropriate personnel are able to be present.  Investigators should be on time for all scheduled interviews.
• Locates witnesses.
  • Standard:  Witness location will be conducted via available resources, in a thorough and complete manner and within deadline.
• Performs state-wide and nation-wide criminal history checks.
  • Standard:  Criminal history and background checks will be conducted via available resources, in a thorough and complete manner and within deadline.
• Examines records to detect links in chain of evidence or information.
  • Standard:  Chain of evidence will be maintained according to written protocol in Investigations Standard Operating Procedures section INV 4-2.
• Uses cameras or video recorders to record evidence and documents.
  • Standard:  Will become familiar with equipment operation and maintenance in order to perform this task in a competent and efficient manner.
• Verifies information obtained to establish accuracy and authenticity of facts and evidence.
  • Standard: Investigators will use a variety of sources of information, including interviews of suspects, victims and witnesses in each case as necessary in order to learn the truth regarding conflicting statements, to verify or refute alibis, and to obtain necessary details for a complete and accurate investigation.
• Presents findings in clear, logical, impartial, and properly documented reports.
  • Standard: Reports will be written with thorough attention to detail, using correct grammar and punctuation.  Reports will be concluded and presented for attorney review within deadline.
• Transports witnesses and criminal evidence to court.
  • Standard:  Witnesses will be transported upon request by attorney staff.  Investigators will make themselves available for this purpose when supporting an attorney in trial.
• Testifies at court hearings.
  • Standard: Investigators will appear in court on time and dressed for court per Section 4-108 of the Office of the District Attorney Policies and Procedures.   Testimony will be given in a professional and courteous manner, with attention to details reviewed with attorney staff.
• Conducts surveillances and performs undercover assignments.
  • Standard:  Investigators will be available for these assignments upon request.  Advance notice will be given when possible.
• Reports critical information to and coordinates activities with other offices or agencies when applicable.
  • Standard:  Other agency support will be given with attention to competent investigative techniques and in a professional and respectful manner.
• Is prepared to make community presentations regarding general investigative techniques to interested groups.
  • Standard:  Investigators will respond to requests for presentations when they do not interfere with other duties.
• Serves subpoenas or other official papers.
  • Standard: Subpoenas will be served at the request of attorney staff and within deadlines.
• Obtains and executes search and arrest warrants.
  • Standard:  Investigators are required to have the knowledge and skill required to quickly write search and arrest warrants that effectively establish probable cause under strict time constraints and under stressful conditions.
• Performs other duties as necessary, to include making arrests, providing court security, and inspecting crime scenes.
  • Standard: Additional assignments should be accepted without complaint and with a clear understanding of the task and deadlines.

Supervisory Responsibilities:  None.

 

BENEFITS

Health/Dental/Vision/125 Flexible Benefits Plan: Employees of the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s office receive health, dental, vision and 125 Flexible benefits plans under the El Paso County benefit plans.

Retirement Plan: Employees of the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office are covered under the El Paso County Retirement Plan and may also choose to participate in a Section 125 Deferred Compensation Plan.

Vacation/holiday/sick/bereavement leave: Employees of the District Attorney’s Office begin accruing vacation and sick leave upon hire and are immediately entitled to holiday and bereavement leave.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): Colorado's 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office is a qualifying employer for the PSLF Program. The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance of your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working for a qualifying employer. (studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service)

Administering justice and advocating for victims in Colorado.