Public Defense Mitigation Specialist Supervisor (Special Duty Assignment) bei King County, WA

About the Department

King County Department of Public Defense (DPD) is seeking interested applicants to fill one (1) Special Duty Assignment as a Public Defense Mitigation Specialist Supervisor in our Northwest Defenders Division. This assignment is anticipated to last up to 6-months but has the ability to be extended or end early based on business needs.

This recruitment will also be used to create an eligibility pool to fill future Special Duty Assignment vacancies that may occur over the next six (6) months.

Public Defense Mitigation Specialist Supervisors serve as an integral part of the division's supervisory/management team and will be responsible for leading and developing a team of Mitigation Specialists. They also assist attorneys in developing defense strategies by providing advice and recommendations to attorneys in assessing clients and their families, participating in case strategy and  planning, and presenting relevant diagnostic social service needs of clients, particularly as it pertains to establishing the best possible legal defense and/or outcome.

WHY JOIN DPD?

DPD provides high quality legal representation to indigent clients in felonies, misdemeanors, juvenile defense, family defense (dependency cases), involuntary commitment (mental illness), and sex offender commitment proceedings.
 
As an organization we work with the community:

• To dismantle the systems that oppress our clients.
• To make the traditional systems that remain as restorative as possible.
• To advocate for pathways that will allow our clients to succeed.

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.

Position Duties

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 Department and division expectations, prevailing professional standards and county policies. Collaborate with Managing Attorney and division management team on unit mitigation practices, work, feedback, and expectations.
• 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 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.*

Minimum 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.
• Have 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.

Other Qualifications

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 Department of Public Defense Northwest Defenders Division employees. Please apply at www.kingcounty.gov/careers. DPD is currently accepting applications to fill one (1) Special Duty Assignment as a Public Defense Mitigation Specialist Supervisor in our Northwest Defenders Division. This assignment is anticipated to last up to 6-months but has the ability to be extended or end early based on business needs.

This recruitment will also be used to create an eligibility pool to fill future Special Duty Assignment vacancies that may occur over the next six (6) months. 

Note: Special Duty opportunities are only open to current King County Career Service employees that have completed their initial probation. Special Duty applicants must have approval from their current supervisor to accept an assignment.

Pay Upon Special Duty Placement
Current employees selected for special duty will be compensated based upon the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement or Coalition Labor Agreement for their base assignment.

To be considered for this role submit the following items:

• An online employment application completed at www.kingcounty.gov/jobs.
• A cover letter no more than two pages summarizing your experience and how you meet the required qualifications, knowledge, and skills for the position.
• Resume.

If you have questions, please contact our Talent Advisors, at [email protected].

WORK SCHEDULE AND LOCATION:
This position will be located at various NDD offices in Seattle and 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.

In this role you should expect to work both in the office and in the field, while being required to report to other locations, such as court or jail facilities. Onsite reporting requirements are determined by the departments operational needs and may be adjusted accordingly. 

DPD maintains physical offices in the following locations:

• Dexter Horton Building, 710 Second Avenue, Seattle
• Jefferson Street Building, 1401 East Jefferson, Seattle 
• Meeker Street Building, 420 West Harrison Street, Kent

Rotations of work location and practice area and/or workflow are an essential function and can occur based on business need. 

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 Administrative Staff 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 Membership
Positions in this classification are recognized by 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.

To Apply
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.

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.

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