Overview
The Bronx Defenders – an innovative, progressive, holistic indigent defense office in the South Bronx – seeks a passionate individual with a commitment to public defense to join our Criminal Defense Practice as a Spanish-Speaking Investigator.
Founded in 1997, The Bronx Defenders is a public defender nonprofit that has developed a nationally recognized model of representation called holistic defense, which provides people with teams of lawyers, social workers, and advocates to defend them zealously in court as well as to address the underlying drivers and enmeshed penalties of legal system involvement.
Since opening our doors, we have grown into an organization of more than 400 staff members defending nearly 20,000 New Yorkers each year in criminal, family, civil, and immigration proceedings who face incarceration, family separation, eviction, and deportation, among other devastating consequences.
Today we are reimagining the role of public defense even further, using community organizing and engagement, legislative advocacy, and impact litigation to partner with the communities we represent to bring about long-lasting systemic change.
We also share our model and lessons learned with current and future public defenders. We run two legal clinics at NYC law schools and train public defenders from one end of the country to the next on how to move to a holistic model of representation.
The Criminal Defense Practice
The Bronx is one of the most aggressively policed boroughs in New York City. As a result, we represent thousands of people each year, nearly 40% of whom are charged with low-level offenses such as shoplifting, traffic offenses, and drug possession. As part of our holistic approach, we spend time getting to know the people we represent and gaining a deeper understanding of their lives and needs. With that understanding, we advocate for people by thoroughly investigating their cases, raising novel legal arguments, using creative tools of persuasion and storytelling, and addressing needs that go beyond the scope of their cases.
Responsibilities
Investigators work alongside attorneys and advocates to defend Bronx residents accused of crimes. Broadly speaking, investigators find evidence that will assist in the defense of the people we represent. Most of the work conducted by investigators does not take place in the office but is carried out in the field: at private homes, on the street, and in the Bronx community. Investigators may also be asked to interview individuals who are incarcerated at both New York City and New York State correctional facilities.
- Collaborate with attorneys and advocates to create a comprehensive investigative strategy
- Locate, interview and take detailed statements from prosecution witnesses who are accusing our clients of committing a crime
- Locate and interview favorable defense witnesses
- Gather and review time-sensitive video surveillance
- Photograph and diagram crime scenes and prepare courtroom exhibits
- Perform Department of Motor Vehicles, public record, social media and criminal background investigations
- Assist attorneys with case development
- Write memoranda regarding investigative efforts and results
- Juggle high volume, urgent requests in a fast-paced, high-stakes setting, and
- Occasionally testify in court proceedings
Qualifications
- Fluency in written and spoken Spanish (validated objectively) required
- Experience working in and with racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically marginalized communities
- Ability to effectively and respectfully communicate, collaborate and connect with people with various backgrounds, identities and experiences
- Strong communication and active listening skills
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to connect with reluctant parties,
- Ability to think critically and creatively in unpredictable environments
- Comfort navigating the Bronx community, conducting in-home interviews and visiting crime scenes
- Ability to multitask, maintain order and prioritize effectively in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment
- Meticulous attention to detail
- Resourceful and persistent in gathering necessary evidence
- Ability to work well independently as well as collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team of lawyers and non-lawyers
- Ability to exercise excellent judgment, discretion, and confidentiality with sensitive matters
- Ability to receive constructive feedback, reflect and shift behavior accordingly
- Valid driver's license is preferred but not required
- The schedule of investigators varies according to the availability of witnesses. Thus, investigators must be flexible and available to occasionally work evenings or weekends.
Requirement upon hire
- Obtain process server licensing within 90 days of hire
Salary is commensurate with experience. For candidates with 1-10 years of directly relevant experience, the salary range for this position would be $70,555 to $84,66
Full-time employees are also eligible for a comprehensive benefits package including but not limited to medical, dental and vision coverage; a 403(b) plan with employer contribution; a generous vacation, sick leave, and parental leave policy.
Approximately 70% of The Bronx Defenders' staff, including attorneys and non-attorneys, are represented by UAW Local 2325 - Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (AFL-CIO).This position is within the bargaining unit.
This position is non-exempt. By law, non-exempt employees are compensated hourly based on their annual rate and therefore are entitled to overtime, whereas exempt employees are not.
To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter in one document. Your resume will be used to determine your salary based on the number of years of directly relevant professional experience and should include all relevant professional experience. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
Applications will be accepted through November 1, 2026. Please contact hiring@bronxdefenders.org with any questions regarding the position.
The Bronx Defenders is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining a workplace that embraces staff with a diversity of backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We acknowledge the ways in which systemic oppression and injustice can undermine access to professional opportunities and are committed to conducting hiring and promotion processes that are equitable and accessible to those commonly excluded from the workforce. We do not discriminate against and in fact specifically encourage applicants from marginalized communities to apply, including those who identify as Black, Indigenous, people of color, queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, disabled, neurodivergent, and those directly impacted by criminal, civil, family, and immigration legal systems. We value lived as well as professional experience and particularly welcome applications from the Bronx community that we serve.
