Capital Mitigation Specialist

Posting Date
06/24/24

Application Deadline
07/08/24

Pay Range
$66,750 - $95,500 annually

Salary offers are based on the candidate's equivalent experience and internal equity with other employees within the same job classification. The position is not eligible for overtime compensation for all hours worked over 40 in the designated workweek.

Job Type
Unclassified

Department
Legal Advocate

About the Position

Come be a part of a dynamic legal team as a Capital Mitigation Specialist at the Office of the Legal Advocate. If you are motivated, inquisitive, analytical, and like to study the life experiences of others, you are just the candidate we are looking for!

NOTE: This recruitment will be used to fill a current vacancy in the Capital Post-Conviction Relief group.

Capital Mitigation Specialist play a vital role on the defense team; positively and enthusiastically working side by side with the attorney in developing and presenting mitigation factors and strategies for death penalty cases.

Rule 15.9, Section C, of the Arizona Rules of Criminal Procedure defines a mitigation specialist as a person qualified by knowledge, skill, experience, or other training as a mental health or sociology professional to investigate, evaluate, and present psycho-social and other mitigation evidence. The American Bar Association has emphasized the importance of a thorough investigation of penalty phase issues in capital cases.

About Maricopa County's Office of the Legal Advocate

We provide high quality legal representation to our clients while protecting the fundamental rights of every member of the community.

The Office of the Legal Advocate is made up of hard-working and dedicated people who believe in safeguarding the constitutional rights of the indigent clients we serve.

We strive to build a stronger team with every team member we add, because every one of our colleagues plays an integral part in delivering excellent representation.

If your goal is to be part of a dynamic, supportive, and pivotal office, please consider applying to the Office of the Legal Advocate!

Proud to Offer
Perform work with a greater purpose
Tuition Reimbursement
Growth and stability since 1871
Opportunities for growth and development within Maricopa County
Exceptional work-life balance
Low-cost, high-value healthcare for you and your qualifying dependents
Enrollment in Arizona State Retirement System
Paid vacation, sick, and parental (birth/adoption) leaves
Maricopa County participates in the Arizona State Retirement System. This defined retirement benefit requires a 12.29% monthly contribution rate and includes a 100% employer match on Day 1
Extensive wellness program with $60 monthly medical premium discounts
Employee discounts for goods and services
Learn more at Work With Us | Maricopa County, AZ

We Require
Four years of related experience that includes identification of mental health symptoms, exposure to trauma, physical/neurological defects, and/or drug/alcohol use
Master's degree in counseling, psychology, social work, or related field
A combination of post-secondary education and/or job-related experience may substitute for the minimum qualifications on a year-for-year basis
Valid Arizona driver's license upon hire

We Also Value
Dual undergraduate/graduate degrees in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, or related field
Advanced years of related experience that includes identification of mental health symptoms, extensive exposure to complex trauma, physical/neurological defects, and/or drug/alcohol use
Work experience in a criminal defense environment.
Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Job Contributions
Conduct multi-generational life-history investigation for the purpose of developing mitigation themes
Compile evidence and extensive documentation relating to client's life history and background, including family background, prior personal relationships, and educational, medical, employment, and criminal history, to obtain information to assist in mitigation.
Collaborates with local law enforcement agencies, medical professionals, and educational institutes for needed information
Assess clients' social and medical histories, psychological evaluations, educational transcripts, and legal documents
Interview interested parties, including detailed and comprehensive interviews of lay witnesses, to assist in the development of expert witness information and formulation of sentencing recommendations
Participate in jury selection and provide support to an attorney during individual juror voir dire including assessment of candidates
Prepare correspondence, social histories, report, and submit information to psychologists, attorneys, and/or the court
Assist in the development of case strategies and presentation of mitigation
Prepare and present written and oral recommendations to attorneys
Establish and maintain contact with collateral witnesses for purposes of mitigation

Working Conditions
Ability to work with traumatic subject matter (crime scenes, accidents, etc.)
Frequent interruptions, time pressures, high volumes of work, handling multiple or complicated tasks, unscheduled tasks, frequently changing tasks, accuracy, decision making, concentration/vigilance, teamwork
Working in close physical proximity with others, public contact, and overtime may be a common occurrence
Ability to lift 15-25 pounds from floor to waist; 15 pounds waist to shoulder or shoulder to overhead; carry 15-25 pounds 100 feet or push/pull 100 pounds 1000 feet
Ability to travel to and from job-related locations during a scheduled workday, subject to County policies regarding the use of County vehicles and/or private vehicles used on County business

Selection Procedure
Only the most qualified candidates will be considered
Consideration will only be given to candidates who submit online applications
Candidates will be contacted primarily through email and their Workday online application profile
Must pass a pre-employment background and/or fingerprint investigation as required by statute or policy, including drug and alcohol testing requirements for positions designated as safety-sensitive

Maricopa County is an equal opportunity employer.

Apply Now!
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