Mitigation Specialist - Virginia Beach

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Virginia Beach (VA); On-site; USD 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

State benefits

Job summary

The Virginia Indigent Defense Commission (VIDC) invites applications for a Mitigation Specialist in the Virginia Beach Public Defender's Office. The role supports attorneys by researching life histories, mental health factors, and witness readiness to strengthen mitigation presentations and defense strategies.

Responsibilities include crisis support, coordination with agencies, and maintaining strict confidentiality.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience in mental health or counseling.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally.

Responsibilities

• Interview clients and families to gather life history for defense or mitigation.
• Provide crisis support and linkages to services when needed.
• Assist with developing defense themes and witness selection for mitigation.
• Maintain confidentiality of client records and case files.
• Track deadlines and manage administrative work efficiently.
• Coordinate services with other criminal justice agencies to increase resources.
• Represent the office on committees and task forces.
• Uphold professional conduct to maintain integrity and office reputation.

Job description

Title: Mitigation Specialist - Virginia Beach

State Role Title: Investig and Legal Support II

Hiring Range: $60,210.00 + State Benefits

Agency: Indigent Defense Commission

Location: VIRGINIA BEACH 302

Agency Website: www.vadefenders.org

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Indigent Defense Commission (VIDC) is now accepting applications for the position of Mitigation Specialist in the Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach Office and is employed at-will. The successful candidate will be subject to a fingerprint-based criminal background check.

• 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.
• This position also requires that the Mitigation Specialist 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.
• The Mitigation Specialist must be aware of, and adhere to, the code of professional conduct governing all members of the defense team representing criminal defendants.

The IDC is committed to inclusive hiring and is dedicated to diversity in our workforce. We encourage and welcome qualified applicants of all identities, cultures, backgrounds, and experiences.

Minimum Qualifications

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. The applicant must demonstrate the ability to work independently and collaboratively, along with the ability to establish rapport and maintain professional relationships with client’s family members and other critical individuals and agencies that provide services to clients. The ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally is required. A valid driver’s license and the ability to travel is needed.

Additional Considerations

Prior experience researching and gathering data to reach a supportable conclusion in support of mitigation arguments, along with 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 and previous experience working with indigent clients.

Special Instructions

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a fingerprint-based criminal background check.

Being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment.

IDC uses the E-Verify system and does not provide sponsorship.

This position qualifies for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) depending on your type of loan.

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.

Contact Information

Name: Ashley Washington

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]