Mitigation Specialist - Halifax

Virginia Information Technologies Agency•Halifax, VA

About The Position

The Virginia Indigent Defense Commission is hiring a Mitigation Specialist for the Halifax Public Defender's Office. The specialist assists attorneys in providing zealous, high-quality representation to indigent people accused of criminal offenses. The position reports to the Public Defender of the Halifax Office and is employed at-will. Employment is contingent on completing a fingerprint-based criminal background check.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Education, training, and/or work experience in a legal environment, social work, psychology, or another mental health discipline demonstrating the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
Ability to establish rapport and maintain professional relationships with clients’ family members and other people and agencies providing services to clients.
Effective written and oral communication skills.
Valid driver’s license and ability to travel.

Nice To Haves

Experience researching and gathering data to support mitigation arguments.
Interviewing experience and knowledge of applicable techniques.
Experience conducting interviews to prepare family and social history reports.
Experience examining medical records and identifying mental health factors relevant to mitigation.
Knowledge of criminal trial and sentencing processes.
Proficiency in Spanish.
Previous experience working with indigent clients.

Responsibilities

Interview clients, their families, and relevant witnesses; gather in-depth life histories and review mental health, educational, and medical histories to support trial defense or mitigation.
Support clients in crisis, including conducting quick assessments and identifying appropriate interventions or service connections when necessary.
Help develop mitigation themes and alternative sentencing plans, and identify appropriate witnesses to testify in court.
Maintain confidentiality of client records and case files.
Manage time and organization to track deadlines, prepare cases, complete administrative paperwork, and respect coworkers’ time constraints.
Coordinate services with other criminal justice agencies to increase dispositional resources for public defender clients.
Represent the office on committees and task forces that provide services to public defender clients.
Conduct oneself professionally, uphold the reputation and integrity of the specialist and office, and contribute to office efficiency through teamwork.
Know and adhere to the professional conduct code governing members of the defense team representing criminal defendants.