Job Details for Investigator or Assistant Investigator
| Court Name/Organization | Kansas Federal Public Defender |
| Overview of the Position | The Kansas Federal Public Defender (FPD) is accepting applications for a full-time investigator or assistant investigator in the Topeka office. The Kansas FPD provides legal representation to indigent clients in federal criminal cases and related matters. The FPD values hard work, diversity, teamwork, creativity, flexibility, and fairness. |
| Location | Topeka, KS |
| Opening and Closing Dates | 02/23/2026 - 03/13/2026 |
| Appointment Type | Permanent |
| Salary | $62,000 - $127,000 |
| Link to Court Careers Information | https://ks.fd.org/join/employment |
| Link to Job Announcement | |
Position Description
The Kansas Federal Public Defender (FPD) is looking for an Investigator or Assistant Investigator to join our Topeka office. Responsibilities include reviewing and analyzing discovery; locating and interviewing witnesses and clients; gathering information and records; reporting information to other team members; locating, vetting, and working with experts; mitigation investigation; documenting and photographing sites, events, and items; serving subpoenas; coordinating witnesses for hearings and trials; assisting attorneys at those hearings and trials; testifying in court; and investigating client release plans and local community resources. Candidates must be highly motivated, detail-oriented, and deadline-driven. Overnight travel in and out of the state is required. Fluency in Spanish is highly desirable. Commitment to indigent defense is required. Residency requirements can be found here.
Qualifications
The successful applicant must:
- Have a bachelor’s degree
- Be committed to our mission
- Work well in a team environment
- Be committed to client confidentiality
- Be comfortable working closely with a diverse set of clients (often in jail and prison settings) and their families
- Have a valid driver’s license
- Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and have experience or interest in working with marginalized communities
- Have strong writing skills
- Be tech savvy, with working knowledge of Adobe Acrobat, PowerPoint, Excel, and Word
- Be familiar with the criminal legal system
Employee Benefits
The salary ranges from $62,000 to $127,000, depending primarily on experience. The FPD also offers generous benefits, including:
- 11 paid holidays
- Possible Public Service Loan Forgiveness
- Federal Employees Retirement System
- Thrift Savings Plan
- Health insurance (100+ options)
- Dental insurance (16 options)
- Vision insurance (10 options)
- Life insurance
- Flex Spending Accounts
- Commuter Benefit Program
- Long term- & short-term disability
- Long-term care
- Transportation subsidy
- Employee Assistance Program
- WorkLife4You (living well)
- Sick leave
- Annual leave
- Nationwide leave transfer program
- Worker’s comp
- Disability retirement
- Family and medical leave
- 12-weeks paid parental leave
- Infant at Work program
- Education and training
- Awards (cash, time-off)
Miscellaneous
The Kansas Federal Public Defender (FPD) is looking for an Investigator or Assistant Investigator to join our Topeka office. Responsibilities include reviewing and analyzing discovery; locating and interviewing witnesses and clients; gathering information and records; reporting information to other team members; locating, vetting, and working with experts; mitigation investigation; documenting and photographing sites, events, and items; serving subpoenas; coordinating witnesses for hearings and trials; assisting attorneys at those hearings and trials; testifying in court; and investigating client release plans and local community resources. Candidates must be highly motivated, detail-oriented, and deadline-driven. Overnight travel in and out of the state is required. Fluency in Spanish is highly desirable. Commitment to indigent defense is required. Residency requirements can be found here.
Application Info
Please send a letter of interest, resume, and three professional references in a single pdf document to ksfpd@fd.org. Preference will be given to applications received by March 13, 2026. We may fill current and future positions from this position announcement. This position is subject to approval of funding. No phone inquiries.
The Kansas Federal Public Defender is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Diversity and dignity are central to our work. We hire without regard to race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, height, weight, veteran status, military obligations, or marital or parental status. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment in any personnel decisions or employee interactions.
The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.