Investigator - G120 Public Defender

Investigator - G120 Public Defender

Salary

$43,151.07 Annually

Location

Columbus Consolidated Government, 100 10th Street, Columbus, GA

Job Type

Full-Time Regular

Job Number

2026-00000357

Department

Public Defender

Division

Public Defender

Opening Date

07/06/2026

Closing Date

8/6/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Major Duties and Responsibilities

This position is responsible for assisting in the preparation and disposition of criminal cases for trial. An incumbent in this position may be designated "Investigator II - Public Defender."

• Interviews defendants to obtain their version of the facts of the case as well as personal background; reviews the facts of the case as they appear in court transcripts.
• Prepares written reports for attorneys to include information obtained during interviews, summaries of facts, impressions and observations, and recommendations of motions.
• Reviews files with attorney; confirms motions; has motions filed and signed.
• Compiles files on each case including court transcripts, police reports, written reports from investigators, discovery material, and copies of subpoenas.
• Delivers subpoenas; locates and interviews witnesses; conducts legal research.
• Identifies cases on trial dockets; conducts initial and follow-up interviews as needed.
• Discusses cases with parole or probation officers.
• Provides in-court assistance at court appearances.
• Serves as the Fast Track Coordinator.
• Runs GCIC criminal histories.
• Reviews the crime scene if appropriate.
• Prepares and files legal motions under attorney direction.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal criminal laws.
• Knowledge of courtroom procedure.
• Knowledge of probation and parole guidelines.
• Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, and meeting deadlines.
• Skill in conducting legal research.
• Skill in the use of computers and various software programs.
• Skill in managing records and preparing reports.
• Skill in oral and written communication.

Minimum Educational and Training Requirements

Knowledge and level of competency commonly associated with the completion of specialized training in the occupational field, in addition to basic skills typically associated with a high school education.?Sufficient experience to understand the basic principles relevant to the major duties of the position, usually associated with the completion of an apprenticeship/internship or having had a similar position for one to two years.?Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid drivers license issued by the State of Georgia for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.

Physical Requirements

The work is typically performed while intermittently sitting, standing, stooping, walking, bending, or crouching. The employee occasionally lifts light and heavy objects, uses tools or equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity, and distinguishes between shades of color. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required:

• Balancing - maintain equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing, or crouching.
• Feeling - perceiving attributes of objects by touch with skin, fingertips.
• Grasping - applying pressure to object with fingers, palm.
• Handling - picking, holding, or working with whole hand.
• Hearing 1 - perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, receive information.
• Hearing 2 - receive detailed information, make discrimination in sound.
• Kneeling - bending legs at knee to come to rest at knees.
• Lifting - raising objects from lower to higher position, moving objects side to side, using upper extremities, back.
• Manual Dexterity - picking, pinching, typing, working with fingers rather than hand.
• Pulling - use upper extremities to exert force, haul or tug.
• Pushing - use upper extremities to press against objects with force, or thrust forward, downward, outward.
• Reaching - extending hands or arms in any direction.
• Repetitive Motion - substantial movements of wrists, hands, fingers.
• Speaking - expressing ideas with spoken word, convey detailed, important instructions accurately, concisely.
• Stooping - bending body downward, forward at waist, with full motion of lower extremities and back.
• Talking 1- expressing ideas by spoken word.
• Talking 2 - shouting to be heard above ambient noise.
• Visual Acuity 1 - prepare, analyze data, transcribing, computer terminal, extensive reading.
• Visual Acuity 2 - color, depth perception, field of vision.
• Visual Acuity 3 - determine accuracy, neatness, observe facilities/structures.
• Visual Acuity 4 - operate motor vehicles/heavy equipment.
• Visual Acuity 5 -close acuity for inspection of small defects, machines, use measurement devices, or fabricate parts.
• Walking - on foot to accomplish tasks, long distances, or site to site.

The work is typically performed in an office, library, computer room, or outdoors where the employee may be exposed to noise, dust, dirt, grease, contagious or infectious diseases, irritating chemicals, and cold or inclement weather.

The Columbus Consolidated Government is proud to offer an exceptional compensation and benefits package. Benefits include the following:

• Low-cost Medical Insurance
• Prescription Drug Plan
• Dental Plan
• Vision Plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life Insurance
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• Credit Union
• Direct Deposit
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Vacation Leave
• Sick Leave
• PERK Time Off
• Retirement Plan
• Supplemental Retirement Plan
• Free and Discounted Services
• Employee Assistance Program

Take advantage of these free and discounted City Services offered to all City Employees.

• Discounted Movie Tickets
• Free Notary Services
• Ride a Metra Bus for Free
• Free Mulch
• Free Fire/Safety Home Inspection
• Drivers Training for Employee Dependents
• Oxbow/Bull Creek Golf Course discounts
• River Center Discounts
• Cell Phone Carrier Discounts

Retirement Plan

The Columbus Consolidated Government offers a defined benefit retirement plan to eligible employees who work in General Government and in Public Safety. Employees in the pension plan must meet both age and years of service requirements to qualify for retirement. The current vesting period is ten years, and the current pension contribution rate is 8% of your gross salary.

Supplemental Retirement Plan

The Columbus Consolidated Government offers a Deferred Compensation Plan or supplemental retirement plan that is tax deferred. This plan allows employees to contribute a portion of their salary, before federal and state taxes, to a retirement account. Your compensation is more than a paycheck, it allows you to plan for your financial future as well.

01

Do you possess a valid drivers license?

• Yes
• No

02

Which best describes your level of education? (You will be asked to provide documentation)

• No High School Diploma
• GED
• High School Diploma
• Technical College
• Some College
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree
• Doctorates Degree

03

If you answered "Other" to the above question, please type in the computer software program(s) you are proficient in using.

04

If you answered "yes" to the above question, please specify degree(s). If you answered "No", just type in N/A.

05

What computer software programs are you proficient in using?

• None
• Microsoft Access
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Publisher
• Microsoft Word
• Other

06

Please list and explain any work experience you have organizing work, setting priorities, and meeting deadlines.

07

Please list and explain any work experience you have conducting legal research, managing records and preparing reports.

08

Do you possess a Degree in Criminal Justice, Law or related field?

• Yes
• No

09

How many years of work experience do you have as an investigator or related field?

• None
• 0 - 1 year
• 1 - 3 years
• 3 - 5 years
• 5 years or more

10

Please list and explain any work experience you have with local, state, and federal criminal laws.

11

Please list and explain any work experience you have with courtroom procedure, probation and parole guidelines.

Required Question

Employer Columbus Consolidated Government

Address City Hall

1111 1st Avenue

Columbus, Georgia, 31901

Phone 706-225-4059

Website http://www.columbusga.gov/HR