Mitigation Specialist: Client Advocacy & Alternatives

The Legal Aid Society, Inc.; New York, Northern (NY, KY); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Legal Aid Society seeks a Mitigation Specialist in Staten Island to work with the Social Work Unit and Pre-Arraignment Project. Responsibilities include interviewing clients, gathering life histories, and developing mitigation strategies to seek alternatives to detention or sentencing.

Collaboration with legal and court staff is required. Role involves crisis counseling, assessments, and advocacy across the criminal justice system, with a focus on connecting clients to services and

Qualifications

• MSW degree and NYS certification (LMSW or LCSW) with NYS license proof.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience.
• Strong assessment skills with mental health, substance use, disabilities.
• Ability to interface with Judges, District Attorneys, and Correctional Personnel.
• Ability to negotiate with community-based organizations to improve access to services.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills; diverse caseload management.
• Proficient in Microsoft 365.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Interview pre- and post-arraignment clients and complete psychosocial assessments.
• Provide crisis intervention, brief treatment, or short-term counseling.
• Identify and interview collateral sources of information.
• Review and analyze life history records for arguments in reports.
• Assist in case prep and develop treatment/bail plans.
• Make referrals to treatment and social services as needed.
• Provide oral advocacy and/or testimony in court.
• Conduct in-person visits to clients in the community, jails, or hospitals.
• Train LAS staff and interns on relevant practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Interviewing

Crisis intervention

Advocacy

Communication skills

Time management

Team collaboration

Education

MSW degree with NYS certification (LMSW or LCSW)

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

The Legal Aid Society seeks a Mitigation Specialist in Staten Island to work with the Social Work Unit and Pre-Arraignment Project. Responsibilities include interviewing clients, gathering life histories, and developing mitigation strategies to seek alternatives to detention or sentencing.

Collaboration with legal and court staff is required. Role involves crisis counseling, assessments, and advocacy across the criminal justice system, with a focus on connecting clients to services and