Mitigation Specialist - Portsmouth

DHRM•Portsmouth, VA

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Virginia Indigent Defense Commission (VIDC) is now accepting applications for the position of Mitigation Specialist in the Portsmouth Public Defender's Office. The Mitigation Specialist assists attorneys in providing zealous, high-quality representation to indigent persons accused of criminal offenses. The Mitigation Specialist reports to the Chief Public Defender of the Portsmouth Office and is employed at-will. The successful candidate will be subject to a fingerprint-based criminal background check.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required.
Education, training, and/or work experience in mental health or counseling, and some experience in a mental health discipline dealing with families and support groups, is a requirement.
Demonstrate the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
Ability to establish rapport and maintain professional relationships with client’s family members and other critical individuals and agencies that provide services to clients.
Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally is required.
A valid driver’s license and the ability to travel is needed.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience researching and gathering data to reach a supportable conclusion in support of mitigation arguments.
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.
Previous experience working with indigent clients.
Experience with the Portsmouth court system.
Experience working in a public defender's office.

Responsibilities

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.
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.
Be aware of, and adhere to, the code of professional conduct governing all members of the defense team representing criminal defendants.