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Law Offices of the Public Defender 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida

Job Opening: Mitigation Specialist

The Public Defender for the 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida seeks mitigation specialist for a fast-paced, client-centered office. 

PD-11 Overview: The Public Defender is an elected official who has a constitutional duty to provide legal representation to persons in jeopardy of losing their life or liberty who cannot afford to hire a private attorney. Our office employs nearly 230 lawyers plus investigators, mitigation specialists, secretaries, and paralegals to assist with the more than 65,000 cases we handle each year. We recruit locally and nationally with just one goal in mind: To put together a diverse team of outstanding men and women from all racial and ethnic backgrounds who are able to provide high-quality representation to our clients.

Position Type: Full-time

Job Description

The mitigation specialist assists our attorneys in juvenile (delinquency) and criminal cases. The work may include conducting biopsychosocial interviews with juveniles and adults, identifying issues related to intellect, mental health, substance abuse, and trauma, referring clients to experts, obtaining records, drafting persuasive alternative sentencing and treatment plans, and identifying appropriate educational, substance abuse, and mental health placements. Applicants must be willing to work with clients in jails and in juvenile detention facilities.

Requirements/Qualifications

  • Master’s degree in mental health, social service or counseling discipline preferred
  • Bachelor’s degree in mental health or counseling discipline plus experience in social work, mental health or social service fieldwork preferred
  • Experience with Capital case mitigation a plus
  • Excellent verbal, computer and communication skills required
  • Familiarity with school system, special needs population, and with accessing community programs and social service-related providers preferred
  • Bilingual skills: English/Spanish and/or English/Creole preferred
  • Demonstrated ability to write clearly and concisely
  • Must be able to prepare clear, accurate and comprehensive reports containing findings, conclusions or recommendations
  • Clean driving record, valid Florida Driver’s License and proof of automobile insurance
  • Reliable vehicle, as travel is required

Salary

  • Salary is $46,000 - $50,000, depending on qualifications, educational background and experience
  • Health insurance
  • Annual leave – 15 days per year
  • Sick leave - 12 days per year
  • Paid holidays – 13 days per year
  • $25,000 life insurance policy - paid by the State of Florida
  • Optional employee-paid supplement insurance plans available (additional life insurance, vision, dental, cancer, hospitalization, and disability)
  • State retirement benefits - vesting after 8 years in a pension plan or after 1 year for the investment plan
  • Deferred compensation – option of saving a portion of monthly salary in a tax-sheltered account
  • Free tuition for college courses on a space-available basis.

How to Apply

Complete an Application for Employment and submit your resume and writing sample, all in PDF format, to jobs@pdmiami.com.

Failure to provide required documentation information may result in rejection of your application.

How You Will be Evaluated

Your submitted application package will be reviewed to determine compliance with application requirements, level of position-relevant work experience, education and training.

After your application materials have been reviewed, you may be required to participate in a selection interview. Candidates who do not reside in Miami-Dade County may be interviewed initially via Zoom or other electronic means.


The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. Applicants will be considered irrespective of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or political affiliation.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or the People First Service Center (1-877-562-7287). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

Veterans are encouraged to apply.