Mitigation Specialist

Job Description

ABOUT THE JOB

The ACLU seeks applicants for the full-time position of Mitigation Specialist in the Capital Punishment Project of the ACLU’s National office in Durham, NC.

The Capital Punishment Project, part of the ACLU’s Center for Justice, challenges the unfairness and arbitrariness of capital punishment while working toward the ultimate goal of abolishing the death penalty. The Project engages in public advocacy and strategic litigation, including the direct representation of capital defendants, challenges to systemic problems in the administration of capital punishment, and amicus briefing.

Reporting to the Project Director, the Mitigation Specialist will be responsible for high quality mitigation investigations – unearthing the multigenerational, culturally-specific, and fact-rich stories that shape a capital defendant’s life and are critical for building the case for a life sentence. The Mitigation Specialist will conduct in depth, creative client life history investigations, consult with other capital defense teams, and lead mitigation trainings.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leading the comprehensive life-history investigation
• Working closely with the client and all members of the capital defense team
• Conducting client and collateral interviews with multi-generational family members and others and preparing detailed and timely interview notes
• Collecting, reviewing, and digesting life history records
• Consulting with trial and post-conviction teams in high priority jurisdictions
• Attending and presenting at national and state capital trainings
• Identify and serve as a liaison with mental health experts
• Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned
• Center principles of equity, inclusion, and belonging in all work, embedding the values in program development, policy application, and organizational practices and processes
• Commitment to the mission of the ACLU
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity within the office using a personal approach that values all individuals and respects differences in regards to race, ethnicity, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, disability and socio-economic circumstance
• Commitment to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and/or conflicts

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 4 years experience as a mitigation specialist or equivalent experience in other legal or investigative field
• Experience in research and fact gathering
• Client centered advocacy
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills
• Substantial familiarity and experience with the law governing mitigation evidence in capital cases; interviewing experience; and knowledge of mental health
• Approach to investigation that is creative, curious, strategic and culturally-competent
• Ability to work with a wide range of people and foster a team environment
• Proven project management and organizational skills, including the ability to meet deadlines while under pressure
• Strong computer skills, including interne search and people finder tasks, case file organization, digesting and tracking
• Willingness to travel throughout the country (due to COVID-19 current conditions, non-essential case travel is currently suspended)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor Degree is preferred
• Demonstrated commitment to social and criminal justice
• Strong understanding of trauma
• Experience with case analysis and fact management solution software (e.g., MyCase, CaseMap, CoCounselor, or Accurint)

COMPENSATION

The annual salary for this position is $90,452 (Level G). This salary is reflective of a position based in [Durham, NC]. This salary will be subject to a locality adjustment (according to a specific city and state), if an authorization is granted to work outside of the location listed in this posting. Note that most of the salaries listed on our job postings reflect New York, NY salaries, where our National offices are headquartered.

ABOUT THE ACLU

The ACLU dares to create a more perfect union – beyond one person, party, or side. Our mission is to realize this promise of the United States Constitution for all and expand the reach of its guarantees.

For over 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Whether it’s ending mass incarceration, achieving full equality for the LGBTQ+ community, establishing new privacy protections for our digital age, or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people from government abuse and overreach.

Equity, diversity, and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to our work to advance liberty, equality, and justice for all. We are a community committed to learning and growth, humility and grace, transparency and accountability. We believe in a collective responsibility to create a culture of belonging for all people within our organization – one that respects and embraces difference; treats everyone equitably; and empowers our colleagues to do the best work possible. We are as committed to anti-oppression and anti-racism internally as we are externally. Because whether we’re in the courts or in the office, we believe ‘We the People’ means all of us.

The ACLU is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Black people, Indigenous people, people of color; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex people; women; people with disabilities, protected veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals are all strongly encouraged to apply.

The ACLU makes every effort to assure that its recruitment and employment provide all qualified persons, including persons with disabilities, with full opportunities for employment in all positions.

The ACLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please email [email protected] . If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.