Mitigation Specialist

**Title**: Mitigation Specialist - Chesapeake

**State Role Title**: Mitigation Specialist - Chesapeake

**Hiring Range**: $56,753.00 + State Benefits

**Agency**: Indigent Defense Commission

**Location**:CHESAPEAKE 324

**Recruitment Type**: General Public - G

**Job Duties**

**Duties**:

- Interviews clients, their families, and relevant witnesses to take in-depth life history and review client’s mental health, educational and medical histories to aid with the defense trial or in mitigation.
- Be a supportive resource for clients in crisis, including quick assessments and identification of appropriate intervention or linkages to services where necessary.
- Assist with the development of defense themes of mitigation, alternative sentencing plans, and identifying appropriate witnesses to testify in court.
- Maintain confidentiality of client records and case files.
- Develop and maintain effective time-management and organizational skills in a manner that allows adequate time to track and abide by deadlines, prepare cases, complete administrative paperwork, and respect co-workers’ time constraints.
- Coordinate services with other criminal justice agencies to increase dispositional resources for public defender clients.
- Represent the office on various committees and task forces that provide services to public defender clients.

This position also requires that the Mitigation Specialist behaves professionally to uphold the integrity and enhance the professional reputation of the Mitigation Specialist and the office, while also enhancing office efficiency and effectiveness through teamwork. The Mitigation Specialist must be aware of, and adhere to, the code of professional conduct governing all members of the defense team representing criminal defendants.

**The IDC is committed to inclusive hiring and is dedicated to diversity in our workforce. We encourage and welcome qualified applicants of all identities, cultures, backgrounds, and experiences.**

**Minimum Qualifications**

A Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, or a related degree in mental health or counseling and some experience in a mental health discipline dealing with families and support groups is a requirement. The applicant must demonstrate the ability to work independently and collaboratively, along with the ability to establish rapport and maintain professional relationships with client’s family members and other critical individuals and agencies that provide services to clients. The ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally is required. A valid driver’s license and the ability to travel is needed.

**Additional Considerations**

A Master’s degree in Social Work or Forensic Psychology degree will be strongly considered. Prior experience researching and gathering data to reach a supportable conclusion in support of mitigation arguments, along with interviewing experience and applicable techniques, experience conducting interviews to prepare family and social history reports, experience examining medical records and identifying mental health factors that will assist in mitigation, knowledge of the criminal trial and sentencing process, proficiency in Spanish, and previous experience working with indigent clients.

**Special Instructions**

**Applications for this position require a cover letter and resume. Failure to submit both may disqualify you from further consideration.**

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a fingerprint-based criminal background check. Being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment. IDC uses the E-Verify system and does not provide sponsorship.

**This position qualifies for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) depending on your type of loan.**

**Contact Information**

Name: Ashley Washington

Phone: 804-662-7249

Note**: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.

Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force. **Equal Opportunity Employer