Mitigation Specialist (Office of the Public Defender)

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree is required.
• One (1) year of experience as a Mitigator or experience investigating and documenting individuals’ social histories is required.

 Preferred Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master of Social Work Degree.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

Extensive knowledge of the nuances and lexicon of the behavioral sciences and their intersection with social/psychological pathologies and criminal acts.   Knowledgeable of various investigative and behavioral subject matters which will allow one to search out and analyze the social, educational, criminal, and psychological history of a client.   Knowledgeable of the criminal justice system, the social services referral field or  the local social service resources in order to provide alternatives to incarceration.  Skill in  developing sentencing plans and/or accessing the treatment and rehabilitative needs of indigents.   Advanced communication skills; ability to effectively communicate to clients, attorneys, judges and service providers.   Excellent organizational and administrative  skills.  Excellent computer skills, especially in fully utilizing the Internet, personal computer and CD/ROM technology for purposes of entering, retrieving and manipulating text and other data through Microsoft Word, Excel, Lexis-Nexis and other computer software and online databases.  Ability to clearly, logically and effectively express verbal and written thoughts and opinions through use of legal terminology, concepts and vernacular; demonstrated ability to clearly articulate issues and analysis in the form of written documents.   Ability to analyze case data, within the confines of confidentiality and privilege issues.  Proven ability to effectively communicate and interact with culturally diverse clients in various consultations, interviews, investigations and other situations.  Ability to maintain confidentiality of clients and case material.   Ability to gather data, from numerous sources, in order to accurately keep statistics.   Ability to travel to work assignments and locations throughout Cook County, for which the employee must provide his or her own adequate means of transportation.  

Physical Requirements

Sedentary Work                                                 

Sedentary Work involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.  Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work.  They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee’s normal line of work.

PURSUANT TO EXECUTIVE ORDER 2021-1 AND COOK COUNTY’S MANDATORY COVID-19 VACCINATION POLICY, THE SELECTED CANDIDATE WILL BE REQUIRED TO EITHER SUBMIT PROOF OF FULL VACCINATION OR A REQUEST FOR REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION PRIOR TO THE START OF EMPLOYMENT. PLEASE CLICK THE FOLLOWING HYPERLINKS FOR THE FULL TEXT OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 2021-1 AND THE COOK COUNTY MANDATORY COVID-19 VACCINATION POLICY.

Executive Order 2021-1 Vaccination Policy

Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

Candidates who are contacted will be required to produce original required documents (e.g., current driver’s license, diploma, school transcript, certifications, etc.) listed on the Notice of Job Opportunity within five (5) days of being extended an offer, in writing, by the Bureau Chief of BHR (or designee).  Candidates will be notified of how to submit required documents.

*Degrees awarded outside of the United States with the exception of those awarded in one of the United States territories and Canada, must be credentialed by either the World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE).