Full-Time Mitigation Specialist (Social Worker)
Job Description
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
Mitigation Specialist (Social Worker)
October 2022
THE POSITION:
The Federal Public Defender Office for the Districts of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island is hiring a full-time Mitigation Specialist in the Boston, Massachusetts office. The successful applicant will be selected through a nation-wide search. All eligible applicants interested in this position are encouraged to apply.
As a Mitigation Specialist you will help our clients share their life experiences. This work is crucial to pretrial release plans, negotiations, trial strategy, sentencing outcomes and re-entry plans. The Mitigation Specialist will build trust with clients, families, and other life-history witnesses. The Mitigation Specialist will gather and digest historical records, formally interview and informally consult with both laypeople and specialized professionals; connect clients with needed services; and collaborate with attorneys and investigators. Our Mitigation Specialist will find, organize, maintain, and update a database of community service providers relevant to the needs of the communities we serve. Travel within all three of our Districts and occasionally elsewhere will be required. You may sometimes be asked to testify in court.
WHAT WE DO:
The Federal Public Defender Office is a law office that provides legal representation to persons charged with committing federal crimes who cannot afford to hire an attorney. We represent the accused from arrest through trial and appeal, including the U.S. Supreme Court and federal habeas corpus review.
We work together to uphold every person’s right to be presumed innocent and to a fair sentence if convicted. Our defense is vigorous, both at trial and on appeal. We advocate for our clients by showing judges and prosecutors that we represent people, not criminals.
WHO WE ARE:
We are attorneys, legal assistants, paralegals, investigators, office administrators, and information technology specialists committed to cultivating a culture of acceptance and connectedness that honors the diverse backgrounds of the people we represent.
We value diversity and a commitment to equality, and we believe better legal representation occurs when members of the defense team have diverse backgrounds and experiences. In recruiting members of our team, we welcome the full spectrum of humanity. We embrace the unique contributions that you can bring, including your culture, ethnicity, education, opinions, race, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, religion, disability, and economic status.
WHO YOU ARE:
You are a trusted, reliable, and efficient Mitigation Specialist who is eager to partner with members of the defense team so the office can provide exceptional legal services. You manage numerous projects and deadlines effectively, have exceptional organizational skills, and are eager to learn new systems. You are a capable user of technology and understand its utility. You are an effective communicator and build relationships with internal and external stakeholders. You see the problems, but also the solutions, and you harness creativity, dedication, and persistence to overcome the challenges. Your communication with others is based in empathy and compassion, and you thrive in a fast-paced environment. Be comfortable working closely with a diverse set of clients (often in jail and prison settings) and their families. You have high standards and want people to be treated fairly and respectfully, no matter the allegation or circumstance.
REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
Must have a master’s degree in social work or social services.
At least three years of experience investigating and developing mitigation evidence and/or five years of clinical experience.
Must be a U.S. citizen or have a work authorization.
Experience using Microsoft Word, Microsoft Teams, Adobe Acrobat, Excel and other technology to review, process, and organize large amounts of information.
Experience working with diverse groups of people, such as economically disadvantaged people, people with emotional or mental health challenges, and those from disenfranchised communities.
The ability to manage several different cases and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
The ability to write and speak clearly.
The ability to keep confidences and to protect relevant legal privileges.
The desire to work, as part of a team, for the benefit of those accused of committing federal crimes.
Engage in community outreach in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire and maintain quality community relationships to achieve our mission.
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
The ability to demonstrate cultural competency.
Experience or interest in working with marginalized communities.
Strong computer and technological skills.
Considerable resourcefulness, initiative, creativity, and compassion.
A desire to help build, recruit, and supervise a robust multidisciplinary internship program.
Spanish fluency.
SALARY AND BENEFITS:
Starting salary for the Mitigation Specialist will be set commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the applicant, JSP 11/01 to JSP- 14/10, currently yielding $74,129 to $162,305 per annum.
How to Apply
Applicants must send an e-mail titled “Mitigation Specialist” with a single Adobe .pdf document which includes: A Cover Letter; A Resume; and Form AO-78 (found at https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/ao078.pdf) Send all items listed above to HRBoston@fd.org. *No Calls Please. Applicants who apply without submitting all three documents will not be considered. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Priority consideration will be given to applications received by November 4, 2022. The selected candidate will be subject to a background check or investigations and subsequent favorable suitability determination for employment. We are an equal opportunity employer.204 total views, 0 today