Public Defense Mitigation Specialist Supervisor

Full Job Description

King County Department of Public Defense (DPD) is seeking interested applicants to fill one (1) Career Service vacancy as a Public Defense Mitigation Specialist Supervisor in our Northwest Defenders Division .

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.

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 anti-oppression framework. To learn more about DPD, visit our website.

Requirements

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES include but are not limited to the following:

Demonstrates the ability to be onsite at the work locations at least three days a week in any of DPD’s office locations (Seattle and Kent).

Location assignments are changeable; work location may include more than one office location over the course of a week and may change over the course of employment.

Supervise Public Defense Mitigation Specialists.

Develop, evaluate, train, mentor, and coach assigned staff.

Ensure mitigation work conforms with prevailing professional standards and county policies.

In consultation and coordination with Managing Attorney and Human Resource Manager, conduct disciplinary investigations and impose discipline when appropriate.

Assign and balance workload assignments among Mitigation Specialists.

Perform assessments, make diagnoses regarding mental illness or addictions, conduct interviews to collect information, and gather records for mitigation/competency.

Prepare comprehensive psychosocial histories as needed.

Provide testimony regarding mental health status, competence or developmental issues.

Provide social services information/education to attorneys and clients. Coordinate, refer, and monitor relevant social services for clients.

Prepare and present accurate case information and persuasive mitigation reports.

Advocate for clients in the criminal justice system by investigating, developing, and presenting information that supports an alternative sentencing plan or dispositional plan.

Advocate for clients in the legal system who are responding to a dependency petition, and other proceedings affecting the client's liberty or other constitutionally protected interest.

Demonstrates and practices cultural sensitivity when engaging a diverse population.

Uses professional communication skills and demonstrates empathy with DPD’s clients many of whom suffer from trauma and/or mental illness, via the phone and in-person.

Reliably answers and returns calls, providing the DPD community authentic support and demonstrating a willingness to assist them.

Perform other duties as assigned

*Detailed specifics of job duties are assigned by case type and division.*

Qualifications

REQUIRED:

• Master's degree in social work or a related behavioral science field.
• Criminal defense experience or familiarity with the populations that DPD serves. 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.
• Minimum one year of experience in a lead or supervisor role.
• Must have a valid Washington State Driver's License or the ability to travel throughout the county in a timely manner.
• Must be 21 years of age.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• The role of the attorney-mitigation specialist relationship and familiarity with the Washington State Bar Association Rules of Professional Responsibility and other ethical standards which govern Mitigation Specialists.
• Principles, methods and techniques of social services, including case management, assessment, coordination/referrals, research, mediation, report writing, and oral communications.
• The use of mitigation in criminal justice cases.
• Protocols and methodology for assessment, evaluation and documenting physical, psychological, and mental development.
• Criteria for reliable diagnosis and assessment of mental disorders.

ABILITY TO:

• Provide excellent customer service, including communicating with people of diverse backgrounds, who may be experiencing stress, trauma, and/or suffering from mental illness.
• Testify effectively at trial, sentencing or other hearings.
• Communicate effectively and professionally, in person and in writing.
• Work calmly and respond courteously when in stressful situations.
• Have regular, reliable, and predictable attendance to support timeliness and follow-through on legal items and scheduling affecting our clients.

SKILL IN:

• Handling confidential information.
• Identifying potential ethical issues and seeking advice/counsel when ethical issues arise or require clarification.
• Preparing detailed narrative reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
• Using office software programs including Microsoft Office Suite, case management systems, spreadsheet, database, and email.
• Working with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds.

The following qualifications are a plus:

• Experience and ability to supervise a team of Mitigation Specialists.
• Have lived experience involving the criminal legal system.
• Fluency in a foreign language.

Additional 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 recruitment is INTERNAL ONLY and open to current Career Service King County, Department of Public Defense (DPD) employees. This recruitment will be used to fill one Career Service position and any vacancies that may occur within the next six (6) months. in our Northwest Defenders Division .

If you are a current supervising attorney in NDD and wish to be considered for transfer to another practice area, you should e-mail the NDD Managing Attorney, Kari Boyum, at kari.boyum@kingcounty.gov no later than the closing date of this recruitment.

All interested applicants are encouraged to apply or indicate transfer preferences.

The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, the interview, references, and a personnel file review going back to the last three (3) years, and if applicable a background check.

You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience and attach the required documents to your application.

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.

Work Location and Schedule
The Department of Public Defense (DPD) offers a supportive and inclusive workplace. Onsite reporting requirements are based on operational needs. Public Defense Attorney - Supervisors may be required to travel to various locations throughout King County, including courts, jails, hospitals and treatment centers.

If assigned to the civil commitment unit, you will primarily report to hospitals and treatment centers across the county. Because DPD prioritizes robust client contact and in-person court presence, work locations and reporting requirements may change to meet these priorities.

This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). As an exempt employee, you are expected to work the hours necessary to satisfactorily perform your job and will not be eligible for overtime pay or compensatory time.

Rotation of work location and practice area, and workflow is an essential function of this position and may occur as needed to support operations. You may be assigned to and travel to any of our Seattle or Kent offices:

• Dexter Horton Building – 710 Second Avenue, Seattle
• Jefferson Street Building – 1401 East Jefferson, Seattle
• Ninth & Jefferson Building – 908 Jefferson Street, Seattle
• Meeker Street Building – 420 West Harrison Street, Kent
• Kent Professional Center – 124 4th Avenue South, Kent

This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and not overtime eligible. This position is expected to work the hours necessary to satisfactorily perform the job, and some night and weekend work is required.

DPD Policies
DPD Ethical Walls Policies and Procedures will apply to employees, such that if you work or have worked for one of DPD's divisions, you may be ineligible to work in another division.

Outside Work Policy for Attorneys will 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
The position is represented by the Teamsters, Local 117.

Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we 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 principles--we 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.

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 candidate's 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 detailed summary of benefits offered by King County.