Mitigation Investigation Specialist

State of Ohio • Columbus, OH

6d • $65,458 - $95,846 • Onsite

About The Position

The Office of the Ohio Public Defender is hiring three Mitigation Investigation Specialists for the Mitigation and Investigation Department, Appellate Services Division. The department provides thorough, ethical investigations to support quality representation of indigent clients. Specialists work independently and as part of defense teams, interacting with clients, witnesses, experts, attorneys, and support staff.

The position conducts or leads bio-psycho-social mitigation investigations in trial, post-conviction, federal habeas, and clemency phases of capital cases, as well as mitigation investigations in non-capital cases, including cases involving juveniles tried as adults who receive lifelong prison sentences. The specialist also conducts fact investigations and complex or specialized criminal investigations involving felony, capital, and juvenile cases at trial, post-conviction, federal, and clemency levels.

The role requires regular travel throughout Ohio and occasional out-of-state travel. Car travel averages two days per week but varies according to need. Specialists transport witnesses and team members when traveling together. Agency fleet vehicles may be reserved; use requires a valid driver’s license and personal auto insurance coverage. Personal transportation may be needed when a fleet vehicle is unavailable.

Requirements

• At least 30 months of experience conducting mitigation or criminal fact investigations; or completion of an undergraduate core program in behavioral sciences (such as social work, sociology, criminal justice, or psychology) and six months of experience in criminal investigations; or an equivalent combination meeting the stated minimum class qualifications.
• A valid driver’s license and personal auto insurance coverage are required to use an agency fleet vehicle.
• Successful candidates must undergo a background check and drug test.

Nice To Haves

• Experience conducting both bio-psychosocial history and fact investigations.
• Knowledge of forensics, fact investigation, mitigation, mental health disorders, intellectual disability, and youth.

Responsibilities

• Locate, contact, and interview witnesses, other suspects, family members, employers, medical or psychological service providers, and others to obtain case-related information.
• Conduct lengthy interviews with clients and people who know or have encountered them and their families, including relatives, partners, friends, and education, medical, mental health, legal, and agency personnel.
• Gather and analyze school, medical, mental health, employment, legal, military, social services, and other records to develop detailed insights into clients’ bio-psycho-social histories.
• Obtain and analyze anecdotal and documentary evidence relevant to clients’ histories and environmental and cultural backgrounds.
• Investigate the facts and circumstances of alleged offenses; gather documentation supporting expert and lay witness testimony; obtain and notarize affidavits; and gather and organize physical and documentary evidence.
• Travel as necessary to locate, interview, and investigate witnesses, evidence, materials, and records, including identifying and contacting suspects, claimants, former employers and coworkers, attorneys, witnesses, and government agencies.
• Assist with transporting witnesses.
• Prepare complex interview and investigative reports and detailed timelines for trial and appellate case preparation and presentations.
• Identify the need for experts and assist in locating and working with defense experts.
• Assist with trial and hearing preparation and presentations, and interview clients for death-row clemency hearings.
• Consult with internal and external attorneys and experts to develop trial and appellate sentencing-phase themes and case theories.
• Assist in preparing witnesses and clients for testimony.
• Lead brainstorming and strategy discussions to develop the defense mitigation presentation.

Benefits

• Medical coverage.
• Free dental, vision, and basic life insurance premiums after completion of the eligibility period.
• Paid vacation, personal, and sick leave, plus 11 paid holidays per year.
• Childbirth, adoption, and foster care leave.
• Education and development opportunities, including employee development funds and Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• Public retirement systems, including OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS, and optional deferred compensation through Ohio Deferred Compensation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed