Jurisdiction; Cortland County

Jurisdictional Class: Exempt (pending jurisdictional classicfication)

Adopted:  12/11/08

 

 

 

INVESTIGATOR (DISTRICT ATTORNEY)

 

 

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

 

            The work involves responsibility for conducting investigative work in the Office of the District Attorney.  The position involves investigation of crimes, interrogation of suspects and witnesses, collecting and preserving evidence, and other related crime detection duties.  The incumbent is also responsible for acting as a liaison between the District Attorney’s Office and various other law enforcement agencies.  The work is performed under the supervision of the District Attorney with wide leeway allowed for the exercise of independent judgment in planning and carrying out the details of the work.  Does related work as required.

 

 

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:     (Illustrative only)

Meets with and interviews suspects, witnesses, complainants and others in order

             to obtain specific information relating to the investigation;

Testifies in court regarding the investigations conducted and the evidence collected;

Gathers and evaluates information and makes conclusions;

Assists in the preparation and prosecution of all criminal cases brought to trial after indictment in County and Supreme Courts;

Acts as a liaison between the District Attorney’s office and the various Federal, State and municipal law enforcement agencies;

Compiles statistical data on various facets of criminal activity;

Maintains appropriate files on cases under investigation.

 

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

 

Good knowledge of the techniques and procedures used in conducting criminal

         investigations;

Good knowledge of the laws governing arrests, rules of evidence and court     procedures;

Good knowledge of how evidence, statements, and affidavits are used in

          investigative work;

Good knowledge of legal terminology;

Good knowledge of laws, rules and regulations as they apply to law enforcement situations, particularly to the New York State Penal and Criminal Procedures Law;

Ability to conduct criminal investigations, interviews and interrogations;

Ability to prepare clear, accurate, complex investigative reports;

Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with a wide variety of people, including law enforcement officers, members of other governmental agencies, attorneys, experts and informants;

Ability to care for and use firearms;

INVESTIGATOR (DISTRICT ATTORNEY) – contd.                                                      2

 

 

 

Ability to remember and analyze facts and information;

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing;

Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

 

(A)              Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with an Associate’s degree, which shall include at least 15 credit hours in criminal justice, paralegal or legal studies; or

(B)              Graduation from a high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and two (2) years of experience in an investigative position related to court proceedings*; or

(C)             An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of (A) and (B).

 

*two (2) years of experience as a Police Officer, Deputy Sheriff or other law enforcement officer whose duties have included criminal investigation may be substituted for experience in an investigative position related to court proceedings.