Senior Habeas Investigator

DEPARTMENTSTATEMENT

The Habeas Corpus Resource Center (HCRC), a San Francisco-based entity in the judicial branch of California’s state government, is accepting applications for Senior Investigators.

The HCRC provides direct legal representation to clients on death row in post-conviction proceedings, in state and federal courts, in which we investigate and review the constitutionality of our clients’ capital convictions and sentences and file and litigate petitions alleging the ways in which our clients’ constitutional rights were violated during their criminal trials. In addition, the HCRC acts as a resource center to outside counsel for the defense of people on death row. Additional information about the HCRC can be found on our website at www.hcrc.ca.gov .

Senior Investigators assist in planning, organizing, and conducting investigations related to the representation of HCRC clients on death row in legal proceedings (called habeas corpus proceedings) challenging their convictions and death sentences. Typical duties include collecting and analyzing factual materials, documents, and records about our clients’ lives; identifying, locating, and interviewing a broad range of people who knew our clients or were involved in their cases; conferring with attorneys about potential legal issues; and drafting, reviewing, and editing reports, summaries and witness statements. The HCRC seeks motivated applicants with intellectual curiosity and excellent computer, writing, organizational and interpersonal skills. Candidates must be trustworthy with confidential information, have a track record of exercising good judgment, be able to establish rapport with a wide range of people, be available to travel extensively, both in state and out of state, and show a commitment to the defense of or advocacy for indigent defendants. We are particularly interested in candidates who have knowledge of or experience working with mental health issues, developing mitigation, and in working with clients and family members.

Positions will be filled depending upon the needs of the HCRC and the qualifications of those in the applicant pool.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Applicants:

• must be available to work overtime and on weekends and holidays
• will be required to travel as necessary

Under direction, independently conducts complex habeas corpus investigations; performs lead and/or specialist duties; and performs other related duties as assigned. Senior Investigators provide lead direction, training, and work review to assigned staff, organize and assign work, set priorities, and follow up to ensure coordination and completion of assigned work; and/or perform complex and specialized work. Examples of duties include planning, organizing, and conducting the more difficult or complex investigations related to the representation of HCRC clients on death row in habeas corpus proceedings; providing lead direction; locating, retrieving, reviewing, and analyzing factual materials and records from a variety of sources; identifying, locating and interviewing family members, law enforcement officials, witnesses, and other people to gather information on events surrounding cases; conferring with attorneys on potential legal issues and factual support for statutory and constitutional claims; drafting, reviewing, and editing reports, summaries, and witness statements; operating and maintaining a variety of photographic, tape, graphic and projection equipment; maintaining filing and information reference systems; and providing training to attorneys, investigators, and others regarding investigation techniques and subjects related to habeas corpus claims.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A valid California driver’s license;
• A State of California private investigator’s license; AND
• Equivalent to possession of a bachelor's degree, preferably with a major in criminal justice, law, psychology, sociology, journalism, or comparable field with an interest in people and society, and three years of experience in capital investigations (additional directly related experience may be substituted for education; additional directly related college education may be substituted for a portion of the required experience);

OR

• Two years as an Investigator II with the HCRC.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge of:

• Techniques, principles, and methods used in criminal defense investigations;
• Methods and techniques of screening, evaluating, and preparing evidence and exhibits for trials and evidentiary hearings;
• Basic knowledge of statutory and constitutional claims for relief;
• Ethical and legal rules regarding investigative activities;
• Resources available for locating individuals and relevant information;
• Mental defenses to a crime such as diminished capacity and legal insanity, including general knowledge of the subjects of psychology and psychiatry;
• Administrative office practices and procedures, the standard format for typed materials including proper memoranda, briefs, drafts, opinions, recordkeeping systems and file maintenance, and standard office procedures and practices;
• The criminal justice system, State Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and related agencies; and
• Principles and techniques of preparing effective oral presentations and a variety of effective written materials.

Ability to:

• Read and understand legal cases and technical material in such disciplines as medicine and the physical and social sciences;
• Obtain information through interviews;
• Assess the credibility of witnesses;
• Gather and analyze facts and evidence and draw valid conclusions;
• Plan, organize, supervise, review, and evaluate the work of others;
• Adjust to workload changes to meet critical deadlines;
• Prepare and present clear, concise, and comprehensive reports;
• Operate personal computers and use specified computer applications, such as word processing and databases;
• Communicate effectively, orally and in writing;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work;
• Use tact and discretion in dealing with those contacted in the course of the work; and
• Operate photographic, recording, and graphic equipment as desirable.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Fluency in oral and written Spanish;
• Familiarity with mental health issues and development of social history issues;
• Cultural competency with respect to multiple cultures, and experience interviewing clients and witnesses from many different cultural backgrounds;
• Proficiency in legal software and/or document management databases; and
• Experience in defense-related investigation work, particularly in areas related to mentalhealth.

LEARN MORE

The HCRC will be hosting an online informational session about these positions We encourage anyone interested in applying to attend. We will provide information and answer questions about our office, the positions, and the application process.

Informational Session: April 1, 2026: 5:00-6:00 p.m. PST

Microsoft Teams meeting

Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/24315202894328?p=AfjL5YMkymSm40pIsE

Meeting ID: 243 152 028 943 28

MONTHLY SALARY INFORMATION:

Senior Habeas Corpus Investigator:

$8,020 - $9,747

Some highlights of our benefits package include:

• Health/Dental/Vision benefits program
• 13 paid holidays per calendar year
• Choice of Annual Leave or Sick/Vacation Leave
• 1 personal holiday per year
• $130 transit pass subsidy per month
• CalPERS Retirement Plan
• 401(K) and 457 deferred compensation plans
• Employee Assistance Program
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
• FlexElect Program
• Long Term Disability Program (employee paid/optional)
• Group Legal Plan (employee paid/optional)

HCRC employees who live in the San Francisco Bay Area are permitted to work remotely two days a week. Southern California Applicants, please note: given that the HCRC conducts substantial work in Southern California, we have implemented a pilot program under which HCRC staff residing within 100 miles of the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center, 210 W Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, may apply to work remotely full-time.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for any of the posted positions, applicants must complete and submit a specific application form and provide responses to a supplemental questionnaire, both located at: http://www.hcrc.ca.gov/hiring.html Please email those documents, along with a cover letter and resume, to jobapplications@hcrc.ca.gov. Please combine all application materials into a single PDF. Please include your last name, first name, and “0426 INV” in the title of your document(s) and in the subject line of the email forwarding your document(s).

*Resumes submitted without the required materials will not be considered.

SELECTION PROCESS

We will begin reviewing applications on April 6, 2026. Applications will be accepted after the earliest consideration date until April 10, 2026. Applications received after this date will be accepted but may not be considered, or will only be considered if positions remain unfilled by applicants in the priority consideration group. This position is opened until filled. If you have applied with the HCRC previously, you must reapply for consideration.

The HCRC uses a lengthy recruitment process. Candidates whose qualifications best meet the needs of the HCRC will be contacted to participate in the interview process. The individuals selected to fill the position will be appointed at a level commensurate with their qualifications.