ALL APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT COVER LETTER WITH RESUME. The Center for Community Alternatives (CCA) is a leader in the field of community-based alternatives to incarceration. Through innovative and pioneering services as well as the research, public advocacy and training of its Justice Strategies division, CCA fosters individual transformation and reduced reliance on incarceration, and advocates for more responsive juvenile and criminal justice policies. The Center for Community Alternatives (CCA) has been serving clients who are incarcerated or at risk of being incarcerated for over 35 years and is the only organization currently providing mitigation services to Central New York. Job Summary: The Mitigation Specialist works closely with individuals charged with criminal offenses and their defense attorneys to (1) tell the client's story via a mitigation report, which their attorney will use to advocate for an appropriate plea and/or sentence; and (2) develop a client specific release plan ensuring access to vital social services and supports. The Mitigation Specialist conducts psychosocial history investigations, family interviews, records requests, and sociological academic research. The Mitigation Specialist also provides case management by making referrals and continuing communication with clients and service providers to promote rehabilitation and reentry. Duties and Responsibilities: - Receive client assignments from Project Director and manage own caseload.
- Interview clients and conduct client assessment, identifying client's risks and needs.
- Collect additional information through interviews of family members and other significant people in the client's life.
- Obtain and review relevant records necessary to inform and support the mitigation report.
- Maintain ongoing communication with the defense attorney and contribute to defense strategy.
- Work as a member of the defense team to develop mitigation strategy and identify a lawful disposition and plan for the client's rehabilitation, reentry, and reintegration to the community.
- Draft mitigation reports that powerfully tell a client's life history supported by interviews and records, and that provide release plans and sentencing recommendations supported by sociological research and community resources.
- Meet with key criminal justice stakeholders pertinent to the case, including defense attorneys, the district attorney, the court, and probation.
- Attend key court dates to support the client.
- Provide case management services to develop and facilitate clients' participation in release plans, such as referrals and linkages to appropriate community services and treatment programs, housing, employment, education, and entitlements.
- Maintain contact with service providers to facilitate ongoing engagement in services.
- Provide crisis intervention, including quick assessment and identification of appropriate methods of intervention and linkages to services where necessary.
- Maintain client records, case files, and timely and precise program data.
- Participate in in-service and outside training.
- Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.
Qualifications: Commitment to and experience in working with adults and youth from diverse cultural backgrounds who are involved with the criminal/juvenile justice system. Bachelors degree required, JD or masters preferred. Excellent writing, listening, social and advocacy skills, attention to detail, and computer literacy (word processing, email, internet research, data entry) required. Bilingual (English/Spanish) and a background in criminal justice or social work preferred. Valid NYS Driver's License, access to vehicle, and ability to gain clearance to correctional facilities required. |