Criminal Investigator

Job Title: Criminal Investigator

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Department: District Attorney’s Office

Full-Time: Yes

Supervisor:    
Chief Criminal Investigator
Criminal District Attorney

Salary: $70,268.64 *Base*

Open: 10/01/2025

Close: Until Filled

*** APPLICANTS MUST BE TCOLE CERTIFIED ***

SUMMARY: 

Provides investigative support to the criminal and civil staff attorneys of the Criminal District Attorney’s Office. Assignments may include the investigation of any crime or incident prosecutable under criminal or civil law. The preferred candidate will have extensive experience in child abuse investigations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Conducts in-depth criminal investigations of crimes under the laws of the State of Texas.
  • Assists attorneys in case preparation from inception through appeal while maintaining attorney/client confidentiality and operating within the laws and rules applicable to criminal and civil practice.
  • Works collaboratively with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in the preparation and prosecution of criminal and civil cases.
  • Secures, reviews, and analyzes various types of financial and business-related records to establish criminal schemes and trace stolen funds.
  • Successfully manages an investigative caseload. Offense type will vary depending on specific assignment.
  • Assists attorneys with reviewing examinations of computers and other digital media.
  • Acts as a liaison with law enforcement agencies, businesses, and financial institutions.
  • Performs research in public records including title research in condemnation cases and research of other government documents.
  • Locates and interviews witnesses, secures witness statements and serves subpoenas.
  • Secures intelligence data and conducts extensive background investigations.
  • Performs surveillance and provides detailed documentation.
  • Prepares and executes search and arrest warrants associated with the investigation of criminal and civil actions.
  • Works directly with attorneys in preparing cases for trial including the evaluation of cases for completeness, identifying needed follow-up, securing evidence, and establishing proper chain of custody.
  • Transport trial witnesses as necessary, conduct onsite examinations of crime scenes, and assist with the preparation of trial exhibits.
  • Secures, examines, and evaluates evidentiary records for suspected violations of state and federal laws.
  • Conducts examinations of computers and other digital media using various software programs and tools along with training and experience to secure, recover, analyze, and interpret digital evidence, especially if designated a forensic investigator.
  • Performs other job-related duties within the Investigative Division as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The qualifications listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

Education and Experience: 

  • Associate degree from an accredited institution,
  • Five (5) years or more of direct law enforcement investigative experience preferred – not including patrol.
  • Degree requirement may be waived based upon years of experience.
  • Basic Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) peace officer certification required.
  • Current Advanced or Master level certification from TCOLE preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Good verbal and written communication.
  • Able to work efficiently and effectively in high-pressure situations.
  • Possess analytical ability, diplomatic and tactful, and uses good judgment and common sense.
  • Possess proficient verbal and written skills to effectively communicate information to attorneys, law enforcement agencies, witnesses, and citizens.
  • Carry firearm with legal authority and have knowledge/understanding of circumstances that would apply to its proper use.
  • Responsible for working in a cooperative manner with attorneys and support staff.
  • Must be computer literate.
  • Must pass drug screening.

If required, must be able to pass a psychological screen.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

  • Must have a valid Driver’s License
  • TCOLE certified

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent is regularly required to bend, carry, climb, climb ladders, climb stairs, grasp/squeeze, hear, tolerate hot and cold inside temperatures, keyboard, kneel, lift below the waist, lift between waist and shoulder, lift overhead, lift to the side/twist, tolerate noise, tolerate hot and cold outside temperatures, pull, push, reach, reach overhead, perform repetitive tasks, negotiate rough or uneven surfaces, run, see color, see far and near, sit, negotiate slippery surfaces, squat, stand, stoop, talk, twist, use his/her hands, drive a vehicle, walk, walk on an incline, work alone and with others, and work overtime.  Must be able to exert physical force, lift, twist and throw persons, when necessary, during defensive tactics or in the course of performing essential functions of this position. May have to sit at the computer for prolonged periods of time typing, using the computer, writing, or using the telephone.

Work is performed both indoors in an environmentally controlled, smoke free office and outdoors.  Often required to serve subpoenas in unknown environments.

SPECIAL ADA PHYSICAL STATEMENT:

Applicant must demonstrate distant and near vision of 20/30 corrected or uncorrected in each eye and must be able to read typewritten material with or without glasses and must be able to see without glasses in order to be able to see to defend themselves and others. Must be able to distinguish basic colors (without the use of x-chrome lenses). Applicants must be able to hear the conversational voice, with or without the use of hearing aid.

This position requires a high level of physical ability. This position requires a high level of physical ability.  Law enforcement professionals must be capable of performing all essential and emergency duties on the job assignment with or without reasonable accommodation.  Any requested accommodation must not impair a business necessity, impose an undue business hardship, or present a direct threat to the safety of the employee or others.   Inability to use emergency equipment or physically restrain offenders can pose a serious danger to the public and co-workers and adversely impact operational objectives. Applicants must be able to physically restrain hostile and combative subjects.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Regular attendance is essential. Incumbent must arrive at work on time, prepared to perform assigned duties and work assigned schedule. Incumbent must have the ability to work well with others. Incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of the position without posing a direct threat to the health or safety of themselves or others. Requested accommodations to work hours and schedules are considered on an individual basis. The Kaufman County District Attorney’s Office will conduct background checks that will include a criminal background check and may include credit reports, motor vehicle records, employment records, educational attainment, or additional State or Federal legal requirements.

DECISION MAKING

The Investigator must adhere to state, local and federal laws and to professional ethical codes that apply to the attorneys.  As the attorneys are responsible for the actions of the investigator, it is imperative that the investigator keep current on such laws and codes.

CONTACTS

This position interacts with departmental supervisors and peers, attorneys within the office, elected and appointed officials, local business owners, financial institutions, other County employees, state agencies, witnesses, document custodians, clients, and the general public.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

Work is primarily indoors in an air-conditioned, smoke-free office.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:

To be considered for this exceptional career opportunity, you MUST submit a Kaufman County Employment Application, Resume, and Cover Letter through the Human Resources Department webpage at https://www.kaufmancounty.net/jobs . 

Completed applications will be accepted and continually reviewed until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received or the position is filled.  So, please apply promptly! Applications will be screened, and those applications deemed best qualified will be invited to participate in an oral interview. The final candidate must be able to successfully pass a pre-employment screening process and successfully complete background and drug screening.  

If any accommodation is needed during the interviewing or testing process, please notify the Human Resources Department at least five days before your scheduled appointment so that we can provide reasonable accommodation. 

Kaufman County, Texas, commits to a policy of equal employment opportunity for applicants and employees, complying with local, state, and federal laws. The County’s policy is to employ qualified persons without discrimination regarding race, creed, color, religion, age, sex, country of national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, political affiliation, ethnicity, or status in any other group protected by federal/state/local law.

This bulletin is not a contract, neither express nor implied.

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