Mitigation Specialist

Employment Benefits

: Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage Sick & Vacation leave Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave Paid State Holidays Employee discounts with the Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information

Position Summary & Responsibilities:

Position Summary:

The Kansas State Board of Indigents’ Defense Services is accepting applications for the position of Mitigation Specialist in the Third Judicial District Public Defender Office in Topeka, Kansas. We are looking for dynamic, client-centered Mitigation Specialists who are passionate about the importance of public defense and are interested in aiding our efforts to fundamentally rebuild our system and transform the public defender office in the Third Judicial District into a model of collaborative public defense practice.

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:

Mitigation Specialists operate under the supervision of the Chief Public Defender or the Deputy Public Defender. Mitigation Specialists play an important role on the defense team, providing holistic defense case management and mitigation expertise to defense counsel through relevant sociological and mental health research and the application of that research to individual cases by building close working relationships with clients, assessing the clients’ needs, assisting clients in accessing services to address those needs, and assisting attorneys with defense strategies and sentence mitigation. Candidates for this position should have strong communication, organization, and analytical skills. Mitigation Specialists must abide by the ethical and professional standards required of criminal defense teams.

It is expected that the duties of a Mitigation Specialist will include the following (in addition to other tasks, as assigned)

Acquiring and maintaining the necessary skills to investigate and support cases involving clients who may have physical or psychological issues. Meeting with clients and witnesses in custody (jail, prison, courthouse) and out of custody, including at their place of residence or employment, and obtaining signed releases. Evaluating clients to determine potential issues and needs. Researching and maintaining information about available resources. Making appropriate referrals to address clients’ needs and assisting them with accessing resources. Searching for and obtaining relevant social history records from schools, medical facilities, psychiatric facilities, drug treatment providers, and the VA, among others. Identifying, contacting, and interviewing witnesses, taking witness statements, preparing affidavits, and offering testimony when needed on witness statements. Coordinating with and providing records to experts. Maintaining sufficient knowledge of current research and trends in relevant topics. Using expertise and gathered factual mitigation to assist attorneys in developing humanizing narratives and defense strategies to improve outcomes for clients. Assisting attorneys in preparing for court; presenting information and testimony in court at the direction of attorneys. Other projects as assigned by the Chief Public Defender or Deputy Public Defender.

Qualifications:

Education

Minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent College degree or higher with a focus in social work, human services, psychology, or a related field, preferred.

Licensing & Certification

Must have a valid driver’s license

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must be able to develop the skills necessary to complete the tasks required, and become proficient in managing a range of tasks for a team of attorneys and staff members. Must be able to work independently and manage their time to complete tasks in a timely and efficient manner. Must be able to respectfully interact with clients, colleagues, and the courts. Must have strong observation skills and attention to detail, with the ability to remember and accurately record information from interviews and investigation. Must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both orally and in writing. Must follow the highest standards of professional conduct, with the ability to keep client confidences and protect confidential information. Must have a keenly developed and uncompromising set of personal and professional ethics. Must be committed and able to understand the diverse needs of our clients, to raising one’s cultural competence, to challenging oppressive practices, and to strive at all times towards compassion. Frequent local travel and occasional statewide travel.

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