Investigator Apprentice Public Defender at New Jersey Office of the Public Defender (NJ) – New Jersey

Under the close supervision of an Investigator 3, Public Defender, or other supervisory official, in a two-year training program, receives formal and on-the-job training to learn to prepare cases for the representation of clients and/or the processing of citizen complaints; does related work. NOTE: Positions in the Office of the Public Defender, Division of Mental Health Advocacy are assigned caseloads involving individuals with mental illness or developmental disabilities. Due to the nature of this work, the duties of positions in this division may vary slightly from those listed below to include heavy caseloads, limited preparation time, and investigations of and communication with individuals with mental illness or developmental disabilities. These positions are subject to Selective Certification.
NOTE: Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience.
Four (4) years of professional experience in conducting field investigations, analyzing information, and preparing reports in a law enforcement, criminal defense, or social service agency.
OR
Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

NOTE: For appointments to positions in the Division of Mental Health Advocacy, selective certification appointments are permitted by the Appointing Authority.
Appointments of this nature will be based on the following additional requirements:
1. Education: Thirty credits (undergraduate or graduate) in the following areas: a. Psychology courses (at least half of which are beyond survey level) in clinic practice or therapy, intelligence or projective testing, or abnormal psychology; and, b. Sociology/social work courses (at least half of which are beyond survey level) in social work theory skills and methods, or clinical practicum.
OR
2. Experience: At least one year of experience in a setting which requires substantial interviewing experience of individuals with major psychiatric disorders such as, but not limited to, schizophrenia and bi-polar, as well as relevant Axis II diagnoses, for developmentally disabled individuals and sex offenders; and/or therapeutic interaction with special populations such as institutionalized children or adults, to include those individuals with the diagnoses stated above.

NOTE: Specialized education and experience may be combined to satisfy the prerequisite. Fifteen credits of coursework (beyond the survey level) in psychology, sociology, or social work may be substituted for six months of specialized practice.

NOTE: "Professional experience" refers to work that is analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range of basic knowledge of the profession's concepts and practices; and is performed with the authority to act and make accurate and informed decisions.
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

Appointee's work performance will be reviewed and rated semi-annually during each twelve (12) months of the two (2) year apprenticeship program. Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship program, appointees will be eligible for advancement to the title of Investigator 1, Public Defender, in accordance with Civil Service Commission procedures.

The inability of an employee in the Apprentice title to attain the required level of performance stipulated in each of the twelve (12) month training periods shall be considered cause for separation from employment.

If you are applying under the NJ "SAME" program, your supporting documents (Schedule A or B letter) must be submitted along with your resume by the closing date indicated above. For more information on the SAME Program, visit their Website at: https://nj.gov/csc/same/overview/index.shtml, email: SAME@csc.nj.gov, or call CSC at (833) 691-0404, option 3.