Mitigation Specialist - Exploitation Intervention Project (EIP)

The Legal Aid Society has an immediate opening for a Mitigation Specialist with the Exploitation Intervention Project (EIP). EIP works to minimize the harms of the criminal legal system through direct legal representation and legislative and policy advocacy on behalf of criminalized trafficking victims, victims of gender-based violence, and sex workers. Our interdisciplinary team includes criminal defense attorneys, a mitigation specialist, an immigration attorney, and a paralegal case handler. The Mitigation Specialist will provide client services to individuals who have been either sex or labor trafficked, who have experienced significant gender-based violence, or whose criminal charges are related to their engagement in sex work. The Mitigation Specialist will be a central member of the defense teams where clients are currently being prosecuted and will also assist with post-conviction relief and other efforts.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments of clients, utilizing validated instruments when appropriate (PCL-5, CMR Factor Scales, BDI, ACE Questionnaire, etc.)
• Review and synthesize records including, but not limited to, medical, educational, psychiatric, and employment
• Conduct interviews of collateral contacts for the purpose of informing the assessment as well as the legal strategy of the court case and the development of a treatment plan for the client
• Synthesize the above three sources of information into persuasive written mitigation reports for use in plea negotiations and sentencing advocacy
• Participate in post-conviction relief efforts (vacatur and DVSJA re-sentencing) including interviewing clients, writing select elements of motions, and providing socioemotional support to clients through the legal process
• Maintain familiarity with relevant state and federal statutes and screen clients to determine if their experience meets the legal criteria for sex or labor trafficking
• Assess for and address other client needs such as access to benefits, housing, counseling, and make referrals as appropriate
• Support EIP's Immigration Attorney as needed (assessing clients, writing responses to RFEs, etc.)
• Co-facilitate EIP's client Advisory Board, including capacitating Board members to run meetings, developing agendas, and identifying professional development opportunities for Board members
• Represent EIP in the broader anti-trafficking community, whether by conducting presentations with community-based organizations or engaging in systemic reform through legislative advocacy and coalition building
• Coordinate and collaborate with staff from other LAS projects, subject matter experts, and community-based organizations; and
• Other duties as assigned

• Strong clinical experience and diagnostic skills and experience working with sex workers, labor/sex trafficking survivors, and/or victims of gender-based violence, as well as with clients who have experienced trauma, mental illness and substance use
• Excellent writing skills with a strong emphasis in persuasive writing
• Strong track record of cross-functional collaboration or working on an interdisciplinary team
• Ability to interface and advocate successfully with judges, District Attorneys and Correctional staff
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• MSW degree and NYS certification in social work (LMSW or LCSW)
• Minimum of five years of experience working with justice-involved individuals and/or survivors of trafficking or gender-based violence; and
• Proficiency in languages other than English (particularly Spanish or Mandarin) desirable but not required

SALARY TRANSPARENCY

The posting reflects the range of potential salaries for the role. The specific salary offers will be dependent on candidate qualifications, including collectively bargained salary steps for unionized roles.

Salary Range/ Salary: $81,195 to $120,690

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The leadership of The Legal Aid Society believes in attracting and retaining exceptional talent committed to serving our clients. We offer a generous benefits package including health insurance, paid vacation, disability, and life insurance, and more. Salaries for our unionized jobs are governed by our Collective Bargaining Agreement. Please visit our Careers page for additional information. Salary and benefits information will be available to applicants, when and if an offer is made.

Click here to read more about the benefits of working at The Legal Aid Society

HIGHER EDUCATION AND LOAN FORGIVENESS

The Legal Aid Society is a qualified employer for the purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness. This position allows an employee to take advantage of PSLF and other State and Federal loan forgiveness programs.

Additionally, employees who are New York residents may be eligible for assistance from New York state to assist with loan repayments, depending on years of practice. To learn more, click the links below.

studentaid.gov

hesc.ny.gov/loan-forgiveness-programs

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

The leadership of The Legal Aid Society is committed to a work culture of zealous advocacy, respect, diversity and inclusion, client-oriented defense, access to justice and excellent representation. We are dedicated to building a strong professional relationship with each of our clients, to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs. Our ability to achieve these goals depends on the efforts of all of us.

WORK AUTHORIZATION

All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship for a work visa or permit. We are currently unable to sponsor employment visas or permits. (However, for citizens of Canada and Mexico, LAS will provide a letter documenting employment status that is needed to obtain a TN visa.)

HOW TO APPLY

All applications must be completed online. We do not accept paper submissions. Please visit our Careers Page to review all current job postings, and instructions on the application process. For technical difficulties or questions regarding this posting, please email [redacted].

As an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer, The Legal Aid Society prohibits discriminatory employment actions against and treatment of its employees and applicants for employment based on actual or perceived race or color, size (including bone structure, body size, height, shape, and weight), religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity (one's internal deeply-held sense of one's gender which may be the same or different from one's sex assigned at birth); gender expression (the representation of gender as expressed through, for example, one's name, choice of pronouns, clothing, haircut, behavior, voice, or body characteristics; gender expression may not conform to traditional gender-based stereotypes assigned to specific gender identities), disability, marital status, relationship and family structure (including domestic partnerships, polyamorous families and individuals, chosen family, platonic co-parents, and multigenerational families), genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, arrest or pre-employment conviction record, credit history, unemployment status, caregiver status, salary history, or any other characteristic protected by law.