Investigation Supervisor

Job Summary
SADO is hiring a new Investigation Supervisor! Under the supervision of the Deputy Director, the Investigation Supervisor reviews and oversees all aspects of fact and mitigation investigations to assist attorneys preparing for an appeal. The Supervisor supervises and trains a team of investigators and mitigation specialists, and conducts investigations, including locating and interviewing witnesses, identifying, engaging and overseeing experts, gathering information and evidence to construct defense strategies, securing evidentiary and documentary support to sustain legal arguments, and creating and maintaining written records of this work. The Supervisor assists attorneys in brainstorming case theories and in bringing cases to hearings. The Supervisor also assists in planning, personnel, administrative, and budget matters. The Supervisor works to engage and advance SADO as a client-centered public defender office. The position pays from $93,062 to $121,145 depending on experience. This position is for either Detroit or Lansing.

Responsibilities
• Supervises and directs the work activities of fact investigators, mitigation specialists, and Investigation Division team leads. Helps to recruit, hire, and train new investigators and mitigation specialists, and consults with the Deputy Director to develop and implement training and onboarding.
• Oversees fair and thoughtful allocation and assignment of case work to fact investigators and mitigation specialists. Provides support to assigned staff as needed.
• Provides feedback and review of fact investigator and mitigation specialist performance, including workload efficiency and effectiveness, witness management (locating, interviewing and the obtaining of affidavits), document collection and review, OSINT research, public record research, maintenance of relationships with attorneys and clients, report/memo/judge’s letter writing and other memorializing of work efforts, and maintenance and renewal of specialized psychological, medical, digital, technical, and/or forensic knowledge.
• Provides analysis and advice to fact investigators and mitigation specialists on complex and problematic cases.
• Works with the CDRC and other agencies to create and/or discover excellent training opportunities for fact investigators and mitigation specialists.
• Provides training to new attorneys, interns, law students, investigators, mitigation specialists, paralegals, and the criminal defense community.
• Creates manuals and policy documents as needed for the ongoing proper functioning of the Investigation Division.
 
• Engages in fact and mitigation investigations and oversees the investigative work of ID staff, including:
Reviews case files and discusses strategies of defense with attorneys. Evaluates available evidence.
Interviews witnesses and clients and obtains signed affidavits, sometimes in a prison setting and potentially under
hostile circumstances. Prepares witnesses and clients for evidentiary hearings. Arranges for subpoenas as necessary.
Obtains and reviews reports. Researches and gathers scientific and other evidence such as toxicology, DNA, cell phone extractions, social media data, blood spatter evidence, gunshot residue, fingerprints, and other evidence.
Locates and contacts available experts. Liaises with experts regarding case material and arranges expert consultations and meetings with case attorneys. Prepares expert for hearings. Interprets and discusses data.
Assists attorneys at hearings by preparing questions for direct/cross examinations and rebuttal. Follows testimony to ensure all appropriate arguments and points have been established.
Maintains records and reports of fact and mitigation investigations.
• Ensures compliance with all internal policies and procedures.
• Manages and develops special projects and grants to improve representation of SADO clients.
• Leads relevant SADO Committees on areas of interest.
• Implements procedures that increase collaboration, team development, and best client- centered practices.
• Thinks creatively about ways to improve how SADO operates.
• Incorporates SADO’s values into all the above and into leadership style.

This list may not be inclusive of the total scope of the job functions to be performed. Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted, or modified at any time.