Mitigation Specialist Supervisor

Maricopa County; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 79,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition reimbursement

Excellent work-life balance

Growth opportunities

Low-cost healthcare for dependents

Child care benefits (on-site)

Job summary

Maricopa County is seeking a Mitigation Supervisor within the Office of the Public Defender to lead the Trial Division Mitigation Specialist staff and maintain a reduced caseload. You will build relationships with community partners and department leaders to provide guidance and supervision.

The ideal candidate has four years of social service casework or counseling experience and a BA/BS in Social Work, Counseling, Criminal Justice, or a related field, with supervisory experience and knowledge

Qualifications

• Four years of social service casework, and/or counseling experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Criminal Justice, or other related field.
• Post-secondary education beyond the minimum may substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.
• Must possess or obtain a valid Arizona driver's license upon hire.
• Experience in mitigation services in indigent defense environment.
• Prior supervisory and/or leadership experience.
• Experience in trauma-informed care and working with diverse populations.
• Knowledge of laws, regulations, and best practices related to mitigation and sentencing.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of the Mitigation Specialist team while maintaining a reduced caseload.
• Collaborate with Manager and other staff supervisors to prioritize employee development and team dynamics.
• Develop and present internal trainings and updates for direct reports and stakeholders.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and liaise with supervisors to ensure effective teamwork.
• Oversee employee performance, audit work, and provide coaching and guidance.
• Ensure staff maintain professional boundaries while supporting development.
• Analyze department data and produce reports to support decision-making.
• Build relationships with community agencies to secure social and other resources for clients.
• Monitor mitigation development and provide guidance to Mitigation Specialists.
• Perform case-related functions and prepare reports and recommendations.

Skills

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Counseling, Criminal Justice, or related field

Job description

Posting Date 08/19/26 Application Deadline 08/23/26 Pay Range Anticipated Hiring Range: $79,000 - $89,500 annually Full Pay Range: $79,000 - $100,000 annually Salary offers are based on the candidate's equivalent experience and internal equity with other employees within the same job classification. This position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Job Type Unclassified Department Public Defender

About the Position

Are you a passionate individual with strong leadership skills? Are you someone who thrives in a team environment? Are you someone who builds strong relationships with community partners? If this describes you, then come join our mitigation team at the Office of the Public Defender. As the Mitigation Supervisor, you will work with community organizations, department leaders, and other employees to offer guidance and supervise the Trial Division Mitigation Specialist staff. This position also maintains a reduced caseload.

About Us

With over 400 employees, the Office of the Public Defender is the largest of the five indigent defense offices in Maricopa County. We are also one of the largest public defender offices in the country. Our office provides innovative, client-centered legal representation in the full range of criminal matters to clients unable to afford legal counsel. Our attorneys and staff are dedicated to treating our clients with respect and dignity as we defend their constitutional rights in a court of law. This is a fast-paced department with an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the people we serve.

We offer:

• Proud to Offer Work with a greater purpose
• Tuition reimbursement
• Exceptional work-life balance
• Opportunities for growth and development within Maricopa County
• Low-cost, high-value healthcare for you and your qualifying dependents
• Child care benefits, including access to our on-site center Maricopa County Kids Club, dedicated to serving Maricopa County families
• Paid vacation, sick time, and parental leave
• Extensive wellness program, including an incentive
• Enrollment in the Arizona State Retirement System, a defined retirement benefit requiring a 11.98% per paycheck contribution rate that includes a 100% employer match on Day 1

We Require

• Four years of social service casework, and/or counseling experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Criminal Justice, or other related field.
• Post-secondary education beyond the minimum may substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.
• Must possess or obtain a valid Arizona driver's license upon hire.
• We also value additional years of behavioral health, trauma, substance abuse, or related casework experience.
• Experience providing mitigation services in an indigent defense environment.
• Prior supervisory and/or leadership experience.
• Experience in trauma-informed care and working with diverse populations.
• Comprehensive understanding of available community resources and demonstrated ability to establish collaborative partnerships with the community in a culturally responsive manner.
• Knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, and best practices related to mitigation and sentencing.

Job Contributions

• Lead development of the Mitigation Specialist (MS) team while maintaining a reduced caseload, including monitoring and facilitating overall team functioning.
• Collaborate on an ongoing basis with the Manager, Department Administration, and other staff supervisors to prioritize the development of individual employees, strengthen team dynamics, and support continuous improvements.
• Develop and present internal trainings and updates for direct reports, employees, and stakeholders, and periodically represent the department as a leader during meetings.
• Serve as a subject matter expert (SME) in updating department leadership and stakeholders as requested, while liaising with other supervisors to ensure effective and efficient teamwork in support of client representation.
• Oversee and evaluate employee performance, audit staff work product for accuracy and completeness, and provide ongoing training, mentoring, and guidance.
• Ensure staff are aware of professional behaviors and client boundaries while supporting their development through coaching and supervision.
• Analyze department data and compile reports and statistics to support decision-making and track performance.
• Collaborate with community agencies and build relationships to secure social, educational, mental health, and employment resources for clients.
• Monitor mitigation development and provide guidance to Mitigation Specialists.
• Perform case-related functions, including conducting interviews; assessing client histories; preparing various reports and correspondence to present written and oral recommendations to attorneys and the court; providing testimony if needed; serving as liaison with mental health experts; assisting with jury selection, along with other administrative functions.

Work Conditions

Emergencies, dangerous environments, unscheduled tasks, frequently changing tasks, and working in close physical proximity with others may be frequent occurrences. Traumatic subject matter (crime scenes, accidents, etc.), interruptions, time pressures, high volume of work, handling multiple or complicated tasks, accuracy, decision making, concentration/vigilance, teamwork, and public contact may be constant occurrences. Travel to and from court locations, government facilities, and other job-related locations as necessary, which may include periodic travel outside of Maricopa County, subject to County policies regarding vehicle use.

Selection Procedure

Consideration will only be given to candidates who submit online applications. Candidates will be contacted primarily through email and their Workday online application profile. Must pass a pre-employment background and/or fingerprint investigation as required by statute or policy, including drug and alcohol testing requirements for positions designated as safety-sensitive. Maricopa County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process or to perform the essential functions of the position under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact [e-mail] to initiate the interactive process.

We are Maricopa County.