Mitigation Specialist
Location: Fairfax, VA
Job Number: 5019122
Salary: $64,301.00
Closing Date: July 16, 2024
The Virginia Indigent Defense Commission (VIDC) is now accepting applications for the position of Mitigation Specialist in the Fairfax Public Defender 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 Public Defender of the Fairfax Office and is employed at-will. The successful candidate will be subject to a fingerprint-based criminal background check.
Duties:
- 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.
