Capital Mitigation Specialist
About The Position
Capital Mitigation Specialists play an integral part in the capital defense team’s work by providing expert guidance in the areas of mental health, cognitive impairments, developmental disability, trauma, and adverse childhood experiences. The Office of the Public Defender is the largest of the five indigent defense offices in Maricopa County. We are also one of the largest public defender offices in the country. Our office provides innovative, client-centered legal representation in the full range of criminal matters to clients unable to afford legal counsel. Our attorneys and staff are dedicated to treating our clients with respect and dignity as we defend their constitutional rights in a court of law. This is a fast-paced department with an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the people we serve.
Requirements
- Four years of relevant casework experience that includes identification of mental health symptoms, exposure to trauma, physical/neurological defects, and/or drug/alcohol use
- Master's degree in social work, counseling, psychology, or a related discipline
- Valid Arizona driver’s license upon hire
Nice To Haves
- Dual undergraduate/graduate degrees in counseling, psychology, social work, or related field
- Two or more years of experience conducting mitigation investigations
- Experience preparing comprehensive social history narratives, biopsychosocial assessments, or similar reports
- Experience conducting trauma-informed interviews
- Experience working in a criminal justice or forensic setting
- Bilingual (English/Spanish)
Responsibilities
- Conduct a life-history investigation for the purpose of developing mitigation themes
- Establish and maintain contact with the client, collateral witnesses, and interested parties throughout the duration of the case
- Compile evidence and extensive documentation relating to the client’s life history and background, including family background, prior personal relationships, and educational, medical, employment, and criminal history, to obtain information to assist in mitigation
- Synchronize information and develop a coherent “life story” for the client
- Collaborate with local law enforcement agencies, medical professionals, and educational institutes for needed information
- Assess clients' social and medical histories, psychological evaluations, educational transcripts, and legal documents
- Interview interested parties, including detailed and comprehensive interviews of lay witnesses, to assist in the development of mitigation
- Participate in jury selection and provide support to an attorney during individual juror voir dire, including assessment of candidates
- Prepare correspondence, social histories, reports, and submit information to psychologists, attorneys, and/or the court
- Assist in the development of case strategies and presentation of mitigation; identify issues requiring evaluation and research, and available expert assistance
- May be required to testify in court
Benefits
- Work with a greater purpose
- Tuition reimbursement
- Exceptional work-life balance, with hybrid and alternative work schedule options
- Opportunities for growth and development within Maricopa County
- Low-cost, high-value healthcare for you and your qualifying dependents
- Child care benefits, including access to our on-site center, Maricopa County Kids Club, dedicated to serving Maricopa County families
- Paid vacation, sick time, and parental leave
- Extensive wellness program, including an incentive
- Enrollment in the Arizona State Retirement System, a defined retirement benefit requiring an 11.98% per paycheck contribution rate that includes a 100% employer match on Day 1
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
