Mitigation Specialist

National Legal Aid & Defender Association; Peoria (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Federal Employees Retirement System

Thrift Savings Plan with matching

Health insurance

Life insurance

Dental and Vision insurance

Annual leave

Sick leave

11 paid holidays

Paid Parental Leave

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

The Federal Public Defender for the Central District of Illinois seeks a Mitigation Specialist to support Assistant Federal Public Defenders. The role involves developing and presenting mitigation evidence for court proceedings in federal cases under the Criminal Justice Act.

You will interview clients, coordinate with families and service providers, and help identify experts. The position includes federal benefits and opportunities to contribute to pretrial and sentencing processes.

Responsibilities

• Assist attorneys in investigating, analyzing, developing, and presenting mitigation evidence.
• Develop and maintain relationships with clients, their family members, local social service providers, pretrial service and probation officers, and other entities to support both the client and attorney.
• Interview clients and relevant persons in a culturally competent manner.
• Locate and conduct witness interviews to discover information to assist the attorney in advocating for pretrial release and develop all mitigating circumstances in the client’s life to assist at trial or sentencing.
• Obtain necessary client signatures and ensure all release forms are current and timely.
• Gather, investigate, validate, and report to attorney all aspects of client’s life history obtained from multiple sources including vital records, social services records, educational records, employment and personnel records, military records, medical/health records, arrest reports, institutional records, community records, and interviews with persons relevant to the client.
• Determine what experts might be consulted and potentially retained to evaluate the client for substance abuse or mental illness.
• Facilitate client’s entry into the necessary and available treatment, housing, educational, or vocational programs.
• Develop and maintain lists of inpatient and outpatient treatment facilities, short-term/low-income/homeless housing, and vocational training and educational programs.
• Maintain sufficient knowledge of current research and trends in areas such as substance abuse, mental health, and effects of incarceration.
• Assist the attorney in court where requested, including preparing sentencing presentations and testifying.

Job description

Position Description

The Federal Public Defender for the Central District of Illinois is accepting applications for a Mitigation Specialist to support the Assistant Federal Public Defenders. The Federal Public Defender’s Office operates under the authority of the Criminal Justice Act 18 U.S.C.

• 3006A to provide defense services in federal criminal cases and related matters by appointment from the court to individuals unable to afford counsel. Our office is committed to providing the highest level of representation for our clients.

Duties

Duties. The Mitigation Specialist is bound by the rules of professional responsibility that govern the conduct of counsel respecting work product, privilege, diligence, and loyalty to the client. The Mitigation Specialist is responsible for developing and analyzing mitigation evidence for court proceedings to aid the court in making decisions regarding pretrial release, trial, and sentencing. In furtherance of these duties the Mitigation Specialist will:

• Assist attorneys in investigating, analyzing, developing, and presenting mitigation evidence.
• Develop and maintain relationships with clients, their family members, local social service providers, pretrial service and probation officers, and other entities to support both the client and attorney.
• Interview clients and relevant persons in a culturally competent manner.
• Locate and conduct witness interviews to discover information to assist the attorney in advocating for pretrial release and develop all mitigating circumstances in the client’s life to assist at trial or sentencing.
• Obtain necessary client signatures and ensure all release forms are current and timely.
• Gather, investigate, validate, and report to attorney all aspects of client’s life history obtained from multiple sources including vital records, social services records, educational records, employment and personnel records, military records, medical/health records, arrest reports, institutional records, community records, and interviews with persons relevant to the client.
• Determine what experts might be consulted and potentially retained to evaluate the client for substance abuse or mental illness.
• Facilitate client’s entry into the necessary and available treatment, housing, educational, or vocational programs.
• Develop and maintain lists of inpatient and outpatient treatment facilities, short-term/low-income/homeless housing, and vocational training and educational programs.
• Maintain sufficient knowledge of current research and trends in areas such as substance abuse, mental health, and effects of incarceration.
• Assist the attorney in court where requested, including preparing sentencing presentations and testifying.

Salary and Benefits

Starting salary will be commensurate with experience. This position also offers full federal benefits, including:

• Federal Employees Retirement System
• Thrift Savings Plan with matching
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Dental and Vision insurance
• Annual leave
• Sick leave
• 11 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Assistance Program