The Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights (LCCR) seeks a skilled and committed Investigator to assist in defending our clients against delinquency charges. LCCR is a nonprofit law office that defends young people in Louisiana’s juvenile justice system and serves as the juvenile public defender in New Orleans. Investigators work closely with trial lawyers in LCCR’s multidisciplinary model of team-based advocacy. The work of investigators requires creativity, perseverance, empathy, responsibility, and excellent communication skills.

The Community You Will Join

Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights is the juvenile public defender in New Orleans, providing holistic, dedicated, skilled, and client-directed advocacy for more than 1,000 indigent young people in the city’s juvenile justice system every year. Our clients are represented by multidisciplinary teams; case managers, social workers, attorneys, and investigators; that develop and implement comprehensive advocacy plans to help children achieve their goals in court and in life.

LCCR is a leader in protecting and enhancing the right of every Louisiana child to high-quality legal representation and advocating for systemic juvenile justice reform. We pursue our statewide objectives through direct representation of youth and policy advocacy.

Your Contribution

The Investigator position will play a crucial role in conducting investigations to support the defense of children involved in the juvenile justice system. Day-to-day tasks will include, but not limited to, gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and providing critical information for defense strategies. Knowing the core principles of antiracism and grounding those principles in everyday work addressing issues through civil rights, poverty law and community engagement are required job skills and core values. As an equal opportunity employer, we highly encourage people of color to apply.

Investigators must perform all duties in accordance with applicable law, ethical rules, and performance standards promulgated by LCCR.

Your Expertise

A combination of education, certification and/or lived experience in criminal justice or equivalent with a focus on youth and families preferred. Capability of building relationships, community organizing, canvassing, conducting interviews and investigating are highly preferred. Great oral and written communication skills, with the ability to work within a diverse range of LCCR constituents, including staff, clients and their families, and courts are required. Detail oriented, strong multi-tasking skills and ability to work as part of a team and independently is valued. Regular travel throughout the New Orleans metro area is part of normal course of work, and reliable transportation is necessary. Depending upon case and client needs, investigators can be expected to work some nights and weekends.

Salary and Compensation

The salary ranges from $40,000 to $65,000 depending on experience. LCCR offers employee benefits that include unlimited paid time off, twelve weeks paid parental leave, 100% covered health, dental, and vision insurance for employee and spouse or children, a mental health stipend, and employer-matched retirement plan.

The position is a hybrid of in-person and remote work, and is full-time.  No other compensated work is permitted.

To Apply

Please provide resume, three professional references, and a cover letter explaining your connection to Black youth to jobs@lakidsrights.org. In the subject line of the email, please write “Staff Investigator.” Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

LCCR values diversity and is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. People directly impacted by the legal system, Black people, people of color, women, LGBT persons, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply for all positions.