Defender Association of Philadelphia · 17 hours ago
Mitigation Specialist-JSDU
Main Office, Philadelphia, PA, US
Full-time
Onsite
Mid Level
$64K/yr - $106K/yr
3+ years expDefender Association of Philadelphia is seeking a Mitigation Specialist for their Juvenile Special Defense Unit (JSDU). The role involves conducting assessments for juvenile cases, preparing social histories, and providing advocacy and support through the legal process. The successful candidate will work closely with clients, their families, and a team of legal professionals to develop effective mitigation strategies.
ConsultingLaw EnforcementLegal
Responsibilities
Conducting client assessments in the office, at the various state and county prisons, as well as the JJSC, and field investigations, to determine competency, alcohol/drug dependence, legal sanity, and preparation of reliable social histories and themes for mitigation based on client's psycho-social development
Referring to and negotiating with community resources to service client needs
Contacting family and other support persons to gather information to assist with assessment, treatment planning, and penalty phase mitigation
Preparing written reports/memoranda on all clients to trial Attorneys
Providing court testimony on behalf of clients when needed
Maintaining well documented and dated files on all clients
Preparing social summaries and sentencing reports
Referring clients to appropriate forensic psychologists and/or psychiatrists to evaluate and prepare for Decertification Hearings
Assisting attorneys in preparation of theories of mitigation
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree, required
Three years social work/mitigation related experience
Familiarity with both the Adult and Juvenile Justice Court Systems and dispositional alternatives
Ability to work independently while maintaining regular and effective communication with attorneys
Ability to analyze and evaluate facts, evidence and related information and engage in creative thinking and problem solving
Ability to conduct thorough, multi-generational psychosocial investigations
Ability to locate and interview mitigation witnesses and produce persuasive psychosocial summaries/sentencing reports
Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills and the ability to engage with and establish rapport with people from a variety of background
Experience in preparing full psycho-social summaries
Working knowledge of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and the ability to interact with professionals using DSM terminology
Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer
Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds
Must be able to travel to courtrooms, community placements, state hospitals and local and statewide prisons if needed
Preferred
Master's Degree, in Social Service or a related human services field
Company
Defender Association of Philadelphia
Defender Association of Philadelphia is a law firm that provides legal services for indigent criminal defendants.
501-1000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Carolyn Jester
Chief Financial Officer
Recent News
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