Mitigation Specialist

Palm Beach County Public Defender / 15th Circuit • West Palm Beach, FL

2d • $55,000 - $65,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Palm Beach County Public Defender’s Office, 15th Judicial Circuit, seeks a highly organized and detail-oriented Mitigation Specialist to support criminal defense counsel in criminal cases. This role involves developing mitigation materials, including memoranda and reports, to assist attorneys in advocating for clients.

Reporting to the Chief of the Social Services and Mental Health Division, this role is internal and external facing. The Mitigation Specialist works closely with attorneys and clients to gather, analyze, and present information that supports case strategy, sentencing advocacy, and alternative outcomes. This role also includes early intervention at the onset of a client’s arrest, including meeting with individuals and connecting them to appropriate treatment and community-based services. Strong writing skills, flexibility, and the ability to manage multiple cases effectively are essential. It also involves conducting fieldwork, jail visits, and record collection.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, or a related field
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent organizational and time management abilities
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Comfortable working with justice-involved individuals, particularly attorneys
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with professionalism
• Willingness to travel to detention and treatment facilities and to conduct fieldwork
• Strong writing and editing skills
• Attention to detail
• Critical thinking and analytical ability
• Interpersonal and interviewing skills
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Ability to manage multiple priorities

Nice To Haves

• Experience in criminal defense, social services, case management, or investigations
• Experience conducting assessments and linking individuals to services or treatment
• Knowledge of the criminal justice system
• Experience writing reports, summaries, or legal-related documents

Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with attorneys to develop mitigation strategies for assigned cases
• Meet with individuals at or near the onset of arrest to assess needs and facilitate linkage to appropriate treatment and community-based services
• Conduct client interviews, including meeting with individuals in custody
• Gather and review relevant records (e.g., social, medical, educational, and criminal history)
• Conduct interviews with family members and other collateral contacts
• Assess client backgrounds, needs, and mitigating factors
• Draft clear, concise, and persuasive memos and mitigation reports
• Maintain organized case files and documentation
• Manage a caseload and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Assist in developing client-centered narratives for advocacy purposes

Benefits

• State of Florida benefits
• Approximately 13 annual holidays when the office is closed
• 8 hours per month of annual leave (with annual increases based on years of service)
• 2 annual observance days
• 8 hours per month of sick leave

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level