Mitigation Specialist

RESIDENCY– Candidates must have been legal residents of the following jurisdiction(s) for at least four months immediately preceding the date of the application:

• Livingston County, or
• One of the following Counties: Allegany, Genesee, Monroe, Ontario, Steuben or Wyoming

The work involves responsibility for para-professional investigative and social work within the applicable Livingston County Department (Conflict Defender’s Office or Public Defender’s Office) for both criminal and family court clients.  The duties will vary based on the work of the specific department where work is performed.  Supervision of others is not a responsibility of this class.  The work is performed under the general supervision of designated staff attorneys.  A Mitigation Specialist does related work as assigned.

• Facilitates and coordinates client referrals to social service needs including but not limited to, substance abuse and mental health treatment, housing, employment, SPOA, care management, transportation, and other community based organizations;
• Compiles information and documentation relating to client’s social history and background through investigation, interviews and record search, collaborating with county and community agencies, medical professionals, and/or educational institutions; 
• Assists staff attorneys by collecting, reviewing, and presenting information and records on client’s life history including family background, prior personal relationships, education, and medical, employment, and criminal history to assist in mitigating legal outcomes; 
• Counsels clients and/or family members regarding legal procedures, possible outcomes, and local resources; 
• Communicates with external service providers, probation/parole, and/or court personnel and reports the same to staff attorney and/or clients; 
• Collects and maintains a variety of resource materials, files, and records related to both community resources and individual clients; 
• Prepares written reports for staff attorneys and courts, as requested; 
• May serve as a member of clients’ justice teams or community groups, as a representative of their specific department; 
• May appear in court at the request of a supervising attorney and/or subpoena; and 
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL
CHARACTERISTICS:  Good knowledge of the principles and practices of New York State law; good knowledge of court procedure and of the rules of evidence; good knowledge of Federal, State, and local laws, statutes, codes, regulations, and standards; good knowledge of interviewing methods and techniques; ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions; ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; ability to interview individuals who suffer from the effects of poverty, addiction, or mental health issues and have difficulty trusting; ability to get along well with others and to secure their cooperation; ability to obtain evidence and information by observation and investigation; ability to organize data and prepare clear and accurate reports;ability to understand and empathize with the needs and concerns of others; ability to maintain confidentiality; good judgement; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position. Applicants must meet all requirements for one of the following qualification options in order to be approved for examination and/or appointment: 
  

Qualification Option #	1	2
Training/Education	Possession of a Bachelor’s[1] degree in social work or criminal justice.	Possession of a Bachelor’s[1] degree in sociology, psychology, or a closely related area of study.
General experience	None required.	Two years of full-time, paid experience in interviewing, counseling, or interacting with the public; OR Two years of full-time, paid experience in such fields as probation, pretrial services, parole, corrections, criminal investigations, law enforcement, substance use/addiction treatment.
Supervisory experience	N.A.
License/ Certification	None required.
Other requirements	N.A.

Part-time service will be given prorated credit toward experience requirements.  
 
Mitigation Specialist – C in all divisions

[1] Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education.  If your degree was awarded by an educational institution outside the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency.   A list of acceptable companies who provide this service can be found on the Internet at http://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/degrees.cfm.  You must pay the required evaluation fee.PROVISIONAL APPOINTMENT NOTICE:
An individual who receives a provisional appointment must take the examination for the position title on the next occasion it is offered. In order to be eligible for a permanent appointment to the position, the provisional appointee must pass the exam and be ranked 1, 2, 3, or be tied in score with the individual ranked number 3 of those who are willing to accept appointment to the position. It should be understood that even if the provisional appointee is eligible for appointment, the employer may choose another candidate to fill the position on a permanent basis. Questions regarding provisional appointments should be directed to the Livingston County Human Resources Department.

NOTE: Livingston County residency is not a requirement for this position. However, Livingston County residents will be given preference in the hiring process.

Salary : $27 - $32