Mitigation Specialist - Defense Social Worker

The Missouri Public Defender System (MSPD) is dedicated to providing legal representation to individuals accused of or convicted of crimes in Missouri who cannot afford an attorney. MSPD operates statewide through district offices strategically located throughout the state, offering opportunities to work in diverse settings, from urban areas like Kansas City and St. Louis to more rural environments.

About the role

We are seeking mitigation specialists to help our clients with the underlying issues that have led to their contact with the criminal legal system. By connecting clients to community resources and working with attorneys to advocate for holistic outcomes, mitigation specialists play a critical role in reducing pretrial detention and unnecessary prison sentences, ultimately creating lasting change in the criminal legal system.

Responsibilities

Client Advocacy And Case Management

• Work with clients to identify and achieve service goals.
• Provide a variety of case management services to clients, such as connections to mental health or substance use disorder treatment, housing, and employment, and assist with finding transportation for case-related needs.
• Conduct psychosocial history interviews with clients.
• Develop mitigation memoranda for use in clients’ cases.
• Occasionally, testify or provide in-court advocacy.

Research And Investigation

• Request and review records.
• Conduct literature reviews and social science research as part of mitigation work.
• Identify and interview mitigation witnesses.

Collaboration And Communication

• Develop mitigation themes and evidence in collaboration with attorneys and other members of the defense team.
• Draft formal and informal mitigation memoranda.
• Engage with community organizations to increase access to services for clients.
• Provide support and guidance to MSPD staff in your assigned region.

Supervision And Training

• Supervise HDS interns.
• Help collect and analyze data tracking holistic defense work and its impact.
• Help onboard new HDS team members.

Requirements

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in psychology, social work, sociology, or a closely related field; Masters in Social Work preferred. Relevant experience may substitute.

Skills

• Knowledge of or ability to learn about available community-based social services.
• Understanding of the intersection of criminal defense and social work, and mitigation practice.
• Knowledge of the collateral consequences of criminal charges and convictions.
• Effective supervisory and management techniques preferred.
• Strong organizational and time management skills for handling a diverse workload and competing priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal, teamwork, and communication skills for effective performance in office, organizational, and criminal legal system settings.
• Ability to treat clients, coworkers, and colleagues with respect at all times.
• General knowledge of social systems casework and human behavior.
• Ability to apply knowledge to client advocacy.
• Ability to conduct trauma-informed psychosocial interviews and prepare clear and concise written advocacy.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative.
• Ability to travel regularly within the assigned region. This position may support large geographic areas.

Benefits

The successful candidate will receive competitive compensation and State of Missouri benefits that include a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Learn more about benefits.

Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator.

MSPD can assist with relocation expenses that are consistent with our Relocation Policy. This policy allows MSPD to reimburse up to $2,500 in qualifying relocation-related expenses if the new hire's work location is at least 60 miles away from their prior residence.