Mitigation Social Worker, Criminal Defense Practice

Brooklyn Defender Services is seeking a Mitigation Social Worker to join our Homicide Unit. 

BDS is a public defense office representing low-income New Yorkers in criminal, family, immigration, and civil legal matters. Our work with clients is focused on the intersection of the legal systems that disproportionately impact Black and Brown people living below the poverty level in Brooklyn.

BDS represents thousands of people each year who have diverse, complex, and multi-faceted legal needs. In addition to a zealous legal defense, our interdisciplinary teams of attorneys, social workers and advocates provide a wide range of legal and advocacy services, including housing, public benefits, education, and employment issues. 

The Homicide Unit utilizes a team approach in the representation of clients, with an attorney, investigator and social worker assigned from the inception of the case who conduct regular team strategizing and information gathering sessions.  In addition, the unit as a whole works very closely together in order to take advantage of the wealth of expertise of the unit’s team members. During the pendency of a case, social workers in the Unit provide support for the client and their families, build mitigation reports, and act as a liaison for community-based and jail-based services. 

Under the direct supervision of the Director of Social Work, Criminal Practice, the Mitigation Social Worker will work as an integral part of the Homicide Unit by assisting defense counsel and the client throughout all phases of the criminal prosecution. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Partner with an interdisciplinary team in providing comprehensive legal representation for clients in the Homicide Unit.

• Gather and assess documentation relevant to the defense or mitigation of the client’s case including education, employment, medical, psychological, military, prison and other information.  

• Develop long term relationships with clients and family members to assist defense counsel in plea negotiations, trial preparation and sentencing advocacy.

• Prepare in-depth, comprehensive reports of the life histories of clients as well as conducting extensive interviews of the client and their families to get a full picture of the client for the purpose of plea bargaining, trial defense and preparation and sentencing advocacy. 

• Conduct frequent in-person interviews with incarcerated clients and attend court appearances as necessary. 

• Provide emotional support and guidance to the accused and family during the pendency of the case.     

• Additional duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• New York State Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), or a master’s degree in Social Work and willing and eligible to become licensed within six months of starting the position.

• Minimum of three years of professional criminal defense social work experience or equivalent work experience.  

• Ability to work as part of the defense team in a client-centered practice and maintain the confidentiality of all information obtained while working on the case.

• Desire and dedication to analyze all aspects of a client’s life that bear upon his/her current circumstance.

• Strong analytical skills when reviewing client records including, but not limited to, education, employment, medical, psychological, military and prison documents.

• Excellent interpersonal skills when engaging with family members, friends, neighbors, teachers, employers, and other potential mitigation/defense witnesses to obtain information regarding the client’s background and/or evidence to support the defense of the case or mitigating circumstances. 

• Strong writing skills including writing detailed and persuasive reports that include mitigation as part of the pre-pleading and post-conviction phase of the client’s case. 

• The knowledge of the psychological, behavioral, and neurological diseases and disorders set forth in the DSM-5 and intergenerational trauma.

• Strong clinical assessment skills.

• The desire to provide emotional support and guidance to the client and family during the pendency of the criminal case, which will generally last up to two years. 

• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues on an interdisciplinary team.

POSITION INFORMATION

This is a full-time, exempt, salaried position. The normal schedule is Monday to Friday 9am-5pm. The position is based at BDS’s offices, and the courts located in Downtown Brooklyn. Social Workers are required to work in the office three days per week and may be required to work additional days in person based on client needs and court appearances. Social Workers may work remotely on the remaining days.  

BDS determines salary on a pay scale based on education and experience. For this position there is a base salary range of $69,000-$92,880 depending on the applicant’s education and experience. BDS offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance and a 403(b) retirement plan. In order to support work/life balance and family-friendly policies, BDS has generous vacation, sick, holiday, family, and medical leave policies.  

APPLICATION

Click HERE to submit a cover letter and resume on our online application portal. Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.   We recommend you submit your application by May 8, 2024. 

Brooklyn Defender Services is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to celebrating diversity and maintaining an equitable and inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, expressions, orientations, disabilities, and experiences to apply. If you require an accommodation due to a disability or another reason, please contact the Managing Director, HR Christina Wallace, at cwallace@bds.org.

BDS offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance and a 403(b) retirement plan. In order to support work/life balance and family-friendly policies, BDS has generous vacation, sick, holiday, family, and medical leave policies.