Mitigation Worker , CSJ

The Center for Social Justice is a center based at Loyola University College of Law in New Orleans, Louisiana that provides capital appellate and post-conviction representation to indigent people on Louisiana’s death row, as well as juveniles facing sentences of life without parole. CSJ provides high-quality representation to a full caseload of clients in state and federal courts throughout Louisiana, with the assistance of students at Loyola. We are a small office that promotes collaboration, fairness, and social justice.
This is a full-time exempt staff position and compensation range is set by the Louisiana Public Defender Oversight Board and is dependent upon experience. This position is located Louisiana though traveling extensively is required. Substantial overnight travel and work outside of business hours, including evenings and weekends. While our office is in New Orleans, our cases most in need of investigation are mostly geographically situated in central and northern Louisiana, and include witnesses and records all over the country.

• The Mitigation Specialist will play an essential role in investigating, including fact investigating, and developing our clients’ mitigation.
• Primarily focus on capital post-conviction cases but may include non-capital cases such as Montgomery resentencing hearings.
• Commitment to upholding mitigation best practices as outlined in the ABA Guidelines for Mitigation Function of Defense Teams.
• Commitment to cultural competency and centering the humanity of all of our clients and their family members, as well as a commitment to anti-racism.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s or equivalent relevant experience. Mitigation is an interdisciplinary field and we encourage people with backgrounds in journalism, anthropology, sociology, psychology, law, critical race studies, gender studies, other academic disciplines, or relevant lived experience to apply.
• A minimum of two years’ experience of field interviewing, records collection and digesting, organizing case files, conducting social history research, assisting with court proceedings (trials, hearings), handling multi-generational investigations (including genograms and chronologies) and/or drafting detailed memoranda and reports.
• Ability to coordinate multiple ongoing events and prioritize tasks in a high-stakes environment.
• Communicate effectively with clients, family members, experts of all kinds, witnesses, colleagues, office staff and court personnel.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Familiarity with the DSM-5 and the AAIDD Manual and identifying signs and symptoms of mental health disorders.
• Must possess and maintain a current valid driver’s license as a condition of employment, and must also be able to successfully pass any driver background information investigation and any driver education courses required by Risk Management.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.
• Extensive driving and traveling.

How to Apply
Submit an application package via Loyola's application system, NeoEd, containing the following:
1. Cover letter. The cover letter should be no more than 3 pages, and should detail your qualifications under the selection criteria section above.
2. Resume
3. Writing sample. The writing sample must be fully written by the applicant, and should be no more than 10 pages.
4. Email contacts for 3 References.