Public Defense Mitigation Specialist II
Public Defense Mitigation Specialist II
Posted on :
11-04-2025
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1 Vacancy
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Job Description
Summary
- The department reserves the right to close this position and/or make updates to the position description below as deemed necessary.
King County Department of Public Defense (DPD) is seeking interested applicants for Career Service vacancies as aPublic Defense Mitigation Specialist IIin any of our four divisions.
This recruitment may be used to establish an eligibility pool for Career Service opportunities that may occur over the next six 6 months.
Public Defense Mitigation Specialist IIsassist attorneys in developing defense strategies by providing advice and recommendations to attorneys; they assess clients and their families participate in case strategy and planning and present relevant diagnostic social service needs of clients particularly as it pertains to establishing the best possible legal defense and/or outcome and coordinate and refer clients to relevant social services.
WHY JOIN DPD
The King County Department of Public Defense (DPD) provides high quality legal representation to indigent clients in felonies misdemeanors juvenile defense family defense (dependency cases) involuntary commitment (mental illness) sex offender commitment and inquests.
As an organization we work with the community:- To dismantle the systems that oppress our client.
- To make sure the traditional systems that remain as restorative as possible.
- To advocate for pathways that will allow our clients to succeed.
We also advocate to reduce the harm and reach of the criminal legal system and civil legal systems that restrict our clients liberties and to address systemic racism. We strive to create a flexible workplace culture that is inclusive respectful and supportive premised on a shared antioppression framework. To learn more about DPD visit our website.
Job Duties
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES include but are not limited to the following
- Have the ability to work onsite as well as to report to various locations including court jail facilities hospitals/treatment centers etc. throughout the county.
- Have the ability to see clients within 72hours of assignment.
- Provide social services information/education to attorneys and clients by telephone and in person.
- Coordinate refer and monitor relevant social services for clients.
- Prepareandpresentaccuratecaseinformationandpersuasivemitigationreports.
- Perform assessments make diagnoses regarding mental illness or addictions conduct interviews to collect informationandgatherrecordsformitigation/competency.Preparecomprehensivepsychosocialhistoriesas needed.
- Providetestimonyregardingmentalhealthstatuscompetenceordevelopmentalissues.
- Advocate for clients in the criminal legal system by investigating developing and presenting information that supports an alternative sentencing or dispositional plan. Similarly advocate for clients in the legal system who are responding to a dependency petition Sexual Offender Commitment petition and other proceedings affecting the clients liberty or other constitutionally protected interest.
- UsesprofessionalcommunicationskillsanddemonstratesempathywithDPDsclientsmanyofwhomsufferfrom trauma and/or mental illness via the phone and inperson.
- Demonstrates and practices cultural sensitivity when engaging a diverse population.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Experience Qualifications Knowledge Skills
REQUIRED:
- Masters degree in social work or a related behavioral science field. Criminal defense experience or familiarity with the populations that DPD serves is required. This education and experience should demonstrate an ability to work with clients who may be under pressure and in stress helping them to navigate complex bureaucracies and access the assistance they need.
- Have a valid Washington State Drivers License or the ability to travel throughout the county in a timely manner.
- Be at least 21 years of age.
KNOWLEDGE OF:
- The role of the attorneymitigation specialist relationship and familiarity with the Washington State Bar Association Rules of Professional Responsibility and other ethical standards which govern Mitigation Specialists. This is necessary to support ethical and fair representation for each and every client we serve.
- Principles methods and techniques of social services including case management assessment coordination/referralsresearchmediationreportwritingandoralcommunications.Thisisvitaltoensureaccuracy effective service delivery and legal compliance.
- Theuseofmitigationincriminaljusticecasestosecurethebestoutcomesforthoseweserve.
- Criteria for reliable biopsychosocial assessment to assure that those we serve receive appropriate assessment and subsequent care and to improve a clients cognition regarding their circumstances.
ABILITY TO:
- Keep up to date with changing work and practices in the social work/mitigation specialist field and to ensure compliance with the latest laws regulations and techniques to support our clients.
- Testifyeffectivelyattrialsentencingorotherhearingstopromotepositiverepresentationandgarnerbestoutcomes for those we serve.
- Communicateeffectivelyandprofessionallyinpersonandinwritingtorepresentourclientsinthebestpossible light.
- Workcalmlyandrespondcourteouslywheninstressfulsituationsandtodemonstrateconfidentandprofessional conduct.
- Learnnewand/orincreasingcomplexduties.
- Work in a fastpaced and multifaceted environment with high attention to detail.
- Regular reliable and predictable attendance to support timeliness and followthrough on legal items and scheduling affecting our clients.
SKILL IN:
- Handling confidential information to safeguard client privacy and identity.
- Identifying potential ethical issues and seeking advice/counsel when ethical issues arise or require clarification toguaranteeethicalandfairrepresentationforeachandeveryclientweserve.
- Preparingdetailednarrativereportscorrespondenceandotherwrittenmaterialstoactivelyandprogressively support a positive narrative and outcome for those we serve.
- Usingofficesoftwareprogramsincludingwordprocessingspreadsheetdatabaseandemail.
- Working with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds to effectively serve vulnerable clients from all walks of life.
The following qualifications are a plus:
- Have lived experience involving the criminal legal system.
- Fluency in a foreign language.
Supplemental Information
WHY KING COUNTY
At King County our work is guided by our True North and values. Our True North is what we aspire to: Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive.
King County offers great benefits to include a pension plan holidays transit pass plus training and education opportunities to promote growth and development.Our focus is to provide our employees with work life balance.
ARE YOU READY TO APPLY
This opportunity it is open to all qualified applicants. Please applyatwww.kingcounty/careers.
This recruitment may be used to establish an eligibility pool for Career Service opportunities that may occur over the next six 6 months.To be considered for this role submit the following items:
- Completed King County application.
- A current resume.
- Cover letter detailing your background and what you can bring to the Department of Public Defense.
- A short selfauthored writing sample (in .doc .docx or .pdf format). Examples of appropriate items include an advocacy document psychosocial assessment or a letter on behalf of a client.
If you have questions please contact our Talent Advisors at.
WORK SCHEDULE AND LOCATION:
The work week is normally 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay. Placements may occur in Seattle and/or Kent.
In this role you should expect to work both in the field and in the office while being required to report to other locations such as court jail facilities hospitals/treatment centers. Onsite reporting requirements are determined by the departments operational needs and may be adjusted accordingly.DPD maintains physical offices in the following locations:
- Dexter Horton Building 710 Second Avenue Seattle;
- Jefferson Street Building 1401 East Jefferson Seattle;
- Meeker Street Building 420 West Harrison Street Kent.
Rotations of work location andpracticearea and/or workflow are an essential function and can occur based on business need.
DPD Policies
DPD Ethical Walls Policies and Procedureswill apply to employees such that if you work or have worked for one of DPDs divisions you may be ineligible to work in another division.
OutsideWorkPolicyfor Administrative Staffwill apply to employees such that you must receive approval from your supervisor and Managing Attorney before being permitted to engage in outside employment for compensation or volunteer.
Union Membership
Positions in this classification are recognized by Service Employees International Union Local 925.
Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington States best employers.
Together with leadership and our employees were changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a differenceComejointheteam dedicated to serving one of the nations best places to live work and play.
Guided by ourTrueNorthwe are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting support and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principleswe are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply including Native American and people of color immigrants refugees women LGBTQ people living with disabilities and veterans.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race color religion national origin sex (including gender identity sexual orientation and pregnancy) age genetic information disability veteran status or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions including but not limited to recruitment hiring selection for training promotion transfer demotion layoff termination rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
SALARY AND BENEFITS:
In accordance with RCW 49.58.110 this salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidates current experience education skills and abilities related to the position. King County offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical dental vision flexible spending accounts life and disability insurance for employees and dependents; retirement and deferred compensation. For additional information please review the detailedsummary of benefits offered by King County.
Required Experience:
Unclear Seniority
Employment Type
Full-Time
Key Skills
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