Mitigation Specialist - Defense Social Worker

About the role

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. Mitigation specialists help clients address underlying issues that have led to their contact with the criminal legal system by connecting them to community resources and working with attorneys to advocate for holistic outcomes. This role plays a critical role in reducing pretrial detention and unnecessary prison sentences, ultimately creating lasting change in the criminal legal system.

MSPD operates statewide through district offices in diverse settings, from urban areas like Kansas City and St. Louis to more rural environments.

Responsibilities

• Serve clients in an assigned region, building relationships with community providers and overcoming barriers clients face in accessing services and the stigma of criminal legal involvement.
• Work with clients to identify and achieve service goals.
• Provide case management services, such as connections to mental health or substance use disorder treatment, housing, employment, and 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.
• Request and review records for research and investigation.
• Conduct literature reviews and social science research as part of mitigation work.
• Identify and interview mitigation witnesses.
• 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.
• Supervise HDS interns.
• Help collect and analyze data tracking holistic defense work and its impact.
• Help onboard new HDS team members.
• Travel regularly within the assigned region (may support large geographic areas).

Requirements

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

Effective supervisory and management techniques preferred.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation and State of Missouri benefits, including a defined pension plan.
• Generous amounts of leave and holiday time.
• Eligibility for health insurance coverage.
• Relocation assistance: up to $2,500 in qualifying expenses if the new hire's work location is at least 60 miles away from their prior residence.

Learn more about benefits at MSPD Benefits. For a comprehensive view of total compensation, including benefits, visit the Total Compensation Calculator.

Verified prior state service, subject to applicable eligibility requirements, may increase total compensation.