Investigator, Homicide Defense Task Force (HDTF)

The Homicide Defense Task Force (HDTF) is a highly specialized unit within the Criminal Defense Practice of the Legal Aid Society. As the primary defender in New York City, HDTF was established to meet the needs of clients charged with homicide. The HDTF Unit can respond quickly to homicide arrests by immediately dispatching an experienced team of attorneys, investigators, mitigation specialists and litigation assistants on every case. Through an integrated system of representation, including our nationally recognized DNA and Digital Forensics Units, our immigration and community justice units, and with our media relations team, the clients we represent receive unparalleled attention on their homicide cases.

The HDTF has two immediate openings for investigators to work on intense homicide cases that they may carry for years. You will be working closely with your interdisciplinary task force members to provide investigative services and support, establishing and participating in collaborative alliances with various institutional, judicial and governmental entities throughout the entirety of the court case.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Create an investigation plan for each homicide independently and in consultation with your legal team and supervising investigator
• Manage an ongoing, active caseload of homicides within the 5 boroughs of NYC, and throughout the life of the case
• Available to the HDTF team during evenings and weekends
• Regular visits to Rikers Island and other detention facilities in NYC, and potential visits to correctional facilities outside of NYC
• Interview and communicate with clients at correctional facilities and maintain the defense relationship throughout the life of the case
• Accompany attorneys or other members of the litigation team to locations that include businesses, residencies, or other relevant locations
• Independently review and detail all discovery documents received from the prosecution including but not limited to Rikers Island calls, DD5s, video surveillance footage, Body Cam footage, etc.
• Visits to Medical Examiner or medical/forensic facilities to review autopsy reports and other medical reports or documents
• Participate in weekly case conferences with team members, clients, and client’s family
• Participate in regular in-unit trainings, and training for all investigative staff
• Regular travel around the 5 boroughs of NYC and surrounding area including but not limited to NJ, Westchester County, and Long Island
• Maintain an organized case file (hard copy and digital) for each homicide in our case management system
• Keep up-to-date on all news/media coverage and create a media log
• Locate and interview witnesses and other relevant parties
• Investigate crime scenes and other relevant locations
• Document scenes (photographs, video, diagrams, measurements, etc.)
• Create crime scene sketches/diagrams/maps/videos
• Prepare written summaries of investigation results via our case management system
• Conduct background checks, social media investigations, and internet research
• Use databases to retrieve relevant case information (e.g., CLEAR, DMV, ACRIS, etc.)
• Testify in court and assist during voir dire/jury selection
• Transport or accompany all defense players to crime scenes and relevant locations
• Witness lineups and other police procedures (e.g., ballistics test, examination of evidence at DA’s offices, vehicular inspection at NYPD Auto Yards, etc.)
• Discover and manage physical and digital evidence (e.g., cellphones, surveillance video, social media, etc.)
• Locate, extract, and preserve surveillance footage from varying locations and buildings
• Communicate with other city agencies as necessary
• Provide accurate, detailed reports on investigations; as well as maintaining other necessary documents (e.g., chain of custody, witness statements, investigation memorandum, etc.)
• As licensed process servers, serve subpoenas, motions, and other legal documents associated with your cases
• Participate in client and client’s family outreach efforts
• Good listening and questioning skills and skilled in interpersonal interactions
• Ability to effectively manage time on a daily and weekly basis while conducting multiple investigations
• Participate in, and provide support for, data collection, periodic pilot projects and new initiatives
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or in a related field or demonstrated relevant work experience
• A minimum of 3-4 years of experience conducting criminal investigations into serious violent offenses (e.g., manslaughters, attempted murders, felony assaults, rapes, robberies, and gang-related offenses) are required
• Commitment to zealous defense representation and obtaining justice for clients
• Excellent listening and questioning skills in the field and where required
• Skilled in the use of Microsoft Office, Video Teleconference, Excel and PowerPoint
• Proficiency in current social media platforms including but not limited to: Slacker, Meta (Facebook), X (Twitter), Instagram, and Tik Tok
• Extensive travel required and 95% of work done in the field
• Skillful at interpersonal interactions while under pressure
• Ability to perform extensive fieldwork including some off hour travel
• Ability to exhibit and execute high ethical standards, integrity, and discretion
• Excellent writing skills
• Ability to become a Licensed Process Server is required (must maintain license, keep records, logs, etc. as established by law. Including when required utilizing relevant technology to coordinate GPS positions.)

Preferred qualifications:

• Additional training and certifications relating to criminal investigations
• Basic knowledge of forensic sciences
• Ability to analyze and evaluate facts
• Familiarity with NYC neighborhoods
• Spanish (or other pertinent language) fluency preferred
• Candidates must be prepared to become a licensed process server if not currently licensed
• Notary License preferred
• A valid New York State driver’s license as well as everyday access to an automobile with appropriate motor vehicle insurance for use in investigations is preferred
• Availability of reliable personal vehicle for use in investigations may be required
• Background check required

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The salary range represents a good faith estimate of the range we expect to pay for this role. The actual salary offered may vary depending on many factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, as well as collectively bargained salary steps for unionized roles.

Salary Range: $62,337 - $89,602

The Legal Aid Society offers a generous benefits package including health insurance, paid vacation, disability, and life insurance, and more. Click here to read more about benefits.

Higher Education and Loan Forgiveness

The Legal Aid Society is a qualified employer for the purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness. This position allows an employee to take advantage of PSLF and other State and Federal loan forgiveness programs. Additionally, employees who are New York residents may be eligible for assistance from New York state to assist with loan repayments, depending on years of practice. To learn more, click the links below.

studentaid.gov

hesc.ny.gov/loan-forgiveness-programs

WORK AUTHORIZATION

All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship for a work visa or permit. We are currently unable to sponsor employment visas or permits. (However, for citizens of Canada and Mexico, LAS will provide a letter documenting employment status that is needed to obtain a TN visa.)

HOW TO APPLY

All applications must be completed online via the career portal. We do not accept emailed applications. Submit the following documents as a combined PDF:

• Cover Letter
• Resume

For technical difficulties or questions regarding this posting, please email jobpostquestions@legal-aid.org.