Mitigation Specialist, Criminal Trials Staten Island

About the role

The Criminal Defense Practice has an opening for a Mitigation Specialist in its Staten Island office. This hybrid position will work jointly with the Social Work Unit and The Pre-Arraignment Project to provide client services. The Mitigation Specialist will interview clients pre and post arraignment and collaterals to gather life histories highlighting mitigating circumstances such as mental illness, drug addiction, trauma, and chronic poverty, and will screen, assess, and address the needs of attorney‑referred clients while securing the least restrictive legal status, making community referrals, advocating for alternatives to detention or incarceration, preparing bail applications, providing crisis counseling, and collaborating with legal and court staff.

Responsibilities

• Interview pre and post arraignment clients and complete psychosocial and intake assessments
• Provide crisis intervention, brief treatment, or short‑term counseling services
• Identify and interview collateral sources (family, friends, teachers, social workers, community members, etc.)
• Request, review, and analyze life history records (school, medical, psychiatric) to document arguments for written reports
• Assist in case preparation and casework plans with the legal team to develop alternative sentencing plans, treatment plans, and bail applications/packages
• Assess client readiness for treatment and make appropriate referrals (substance abuse, domestic violence victims, mental health counseling, shelters, etc.)
• Provide oral advocacy and/or testimony in court
• Conduct in‑person visits to clients in the community, jails, detention centers, or hospitals
• Conduct training for LAS staff, social work interns, treatment providers, and criminal justice personnel
• Maintain a caseload
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• MSW degree and New York State (NYS) certification in social work (LMSW or LCSW); proof of NYS Social Work License required before final employment decision
• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience
• Strong assessment skills and experience working with clients with mental health, substance use, intellectual and other developmental disabilities, neurological disorders, etc.
• Ability to interface with Judges, District Attorneys, and Correctional Personnel
• Ability to negotiate with community‑based organizations to increase client access to supportive services
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Excellent organizational and time management skills; able to manage a diverse caseload and prioritize tasks
• Proficient in using Microsoft 365
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team

Pay

Salary range: $83,631 – $125,627 (good‑faith estimate; actual offer may vary based on knowledge, skills, experience, and collectively bargained steps for unionized roles).

Benefits

• Generous benefits package including health insurance, paid vacation, disability, and life insurance
• Qualified employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF); eligibility for State and Federal loan forgiveness programs
• New York residents may be eligible for state assistance with loan repayments depending on years of practice

Work Authorization

All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship; the organization cannot sponsor employment visas or permits (TN visa support letter available for Canadian and Mexican citizens).