Public Advocate Investigator Senior

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8/13/2026 (11:59 PM ET)

2603979

Public Advocate Investigator Senior

Salary

$43,210.08 - $64,816.08 Annually

Employment Type

EXECUTIVE BRANCH | FULL TIME | ELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME PAY | 18A | 37.5 HR/WK

 

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Hiring Agency

Justice & Public Safety Cabinet | Department of Public Advocacy

Location

5 Mill Creek Park
Frankfort, KY 40601 USA

Description

The Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy (DPA) is nationally recognized as a model state-wide public defender system with an exceptional training and education program. Our defense teams ensure the criminal justice process is fair, results are just, and individual liberties are protected.

DPA is one of the few state agencies that has an internally located innocence project whose program is integrated into the public defender program. The Kentucky Innocence Project (KIP) is part of the national innocence network. The KIP team locates those inmates that have been wrongfully convicted and seeks exoneration of those defendants through the development of new evidence and litigation. KIP has secured 24 exonerations since it was started, and our list of exonerees can be seen here: https://dpa.ky.gov/who_we_are/KIP/Pages/Exonerations.aspx

Please be advised that although medical cannabis has been legalized in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, due to other applicable state or federal laws, employees in this position are prohibited from using medical cannabis.

If you need additional information about this prohibition, you may contact the agency point of contact for additional information.

The ideal candidate exhibits exceptional planning and organizational skills, is self-directed and is also comfortable working with their defense team which includes attorneys, other investigators, paralegals and office administrative legal staff. This person must be able to complete high quality work under pressure, communicate well, and work with all kinds of people. We seek to hire persons who have demonstrated a desire to help the underprivileged and often the most vulnerable in their communities, and who understand it is a privilege to represent our clients and we do so on behalf of the people of Kentucky.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Investigators assist attorneys representing indigent children by meeting with children in state facilities, locating and interviewing witnesses, locating, viewing and performing analysis of evidence, and serving subpoenas.
• Investigators prepare reports associated with witness interviews and the efforts in locating said witnesses. This includes comparing witness statements, developing alternative theories and following up on investigative leads.
• Much of the work of the investigator occurs outside of the office, and extensive travel is required.
• The investigator may be called as a witness and must be comfortable providing testimony in court.

Minimum Requirements

Working Conditions

Interviews are often conducted in prisons, low-income housing and unfamiliar or confrontational settings. May work irregular hours due to nature of investigative work. Extensive travel is required.

Probationary Period

This job has an initial and promotional probationary period of 6 months, except as provided in KRS 18A.111.