OPCD is an independent agency of the Tennessee state government. The agency represents people on Tennessee’s death row in appealing their convictions and sentences in state court, as well as in seeking clemency from the Governor. The office also provides non-case-specific assistance and educational resources to trial counsel appointed in capital cases. OPCD handles cases throughout Tennessee and travel is required. The office and the position are located in Nashville. Please see www.tnpcdo.net for further details about the agency.
The investigator will work on a team with attorneys and paralegals to develop guilt/innocence and sentencing claims on behalf of clients. The investigator will investigate the facts of the offense, the circumstances surrounding the conviction, as well as the social history of the clients, including instances of adverse childhood experiences, trauma, mental illness, and intellectual disability.
The investigator’s primary duties will include: 1) building and maintaining strong working relationships with clients and their families, 2) reviewing records related to the case, and creating work product that either summarizes or organizes the information contained therein for the use of the legal team, 3) identifying, locating, and interviewing witnesses relevant to both the offense and client’s social history, 4) drafting different types of memoranda and reports, and 5) delivering subpoenas to witnesses for evidentiary hearings and assisting with managing the witnesses at the hearing.
Benefits and Compensation:
Salary ranges from $58,140 to $105,180, based on years of relevant experience and level of education.
No state income tax
Health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, as well as pharmacy benefits
Ten (10) weeks of paid parental leave
Generous annual, sick, and compensatory time accrual, in addition to other types of leave
Retirement program recognized as one of the top 5 strongest pension funds in the country
Partial tuition fee waivers at state institutions of higher learning for state employees and discounts on undergraduate tuition for children of state employees
Flexible work hours, including some ability to work remotely
In-house and national training opportunities
For more detailed information regarding the benefits of Tennessee state employees, please visit: https://www.tn.gov/careers/employeebenefits.html. For more information about the state retirement program, please visit: https://treasury.tn.gov/Retirement/Retire-Ready-Tennessee/for-State-Empl....
Minimum Qualifications:
Commitment to providing high-quality representation to those convicted and sentenced to death
Basic understanding of mental illness, intellectual disability, trauma, and racial justice issues
Ability to collaborate closely with others in a team setting
Ability to work and communicate with people from a variety of cultural backgrounds
Clear oral and written communication skills
Organizational and time-management abilities
Ability to conduct overnight travel a minimum of 10-15 days a month in and outside of Tennessee
Flexibility to work evenings and weekends
A High School diploma or G.E.D.
A valid driver’s license and willingness to drive extensively in and out of state
Preferred Qualifications:
A college degree in a relevant field, such as social work, psychology, or journalism
Prior investigative experience
Interested candidates should send: 1) a cover letter discussing their interest in capital defense work and qualifications for the investigator position; 2) a resume; 3) three professional references; and 4) a short writing sample to [email protected]. Application deadline is September 15, 2023.
Applicants will receive a questionnaire to complete once they submit their application materials. Interviews with final candidates will be conducted in person. The selected candidate will have an anticipated start date in November 2023. Accommodation of remote work for a limited amount of time will be considered for qualified applicants needing to relocate to Nashville.