| Posting Date10/20/25 Application Deadline10/24/25 Pay Range$29.80 - $41.10 hourly 
 Salary offers are based on the candidate's equivalent experience and internal equity with other employees within the same job classification. The position is eligible for overtime compensation for all hours worked over 40 in the designated workweek.
 Job TypeUnclassified DepartmentLegal Defender About the Position Do you enjoy advocacy? Would you enjoy research and investigation into the backgrounds of our clients? Come be a part of a dynamic legal team as a Mitigation Specialist with our office!  Mitigation Specialists play an integral part in the defense team's work by providing expert guidance in the areas of mitigation, treatment, rehabilitation, and sentencing/disposition alternatives. As a Mitigation Specialist, you would work side by side with our attorneys in developing and presenting mitigation factors and strategies for criminal cases. This recruitment is used to fill a grant funded position. About The Office of the Legal Defender  The Office of the Legal Defender consists of attorneys and support staff helping to provide quality legal representation to indigent individuals assigned to us by the court, thus safeguarding the fundamental legal rights of each member of the community. Start your career adventure with us and seek just and equitable treatment for our clients! Proud to Offer 
 Work with a greater purposeTuition reimbursementExceptional work-life balanceOpportunities for growth and development within Maricopa CountyLow-cost, high-value healthcare for you and your qualifying dependentsChild care benefits including access to our on-site center Maricopa County Kids Club, dedicated to serving Maricopa County families exclusivelyPaid vacation, sick time, and parental leaveExtensive wellness program, including healthcare premium discountsMaricopa County participates in the Arizona State Retirement System. This defined retirement benefit requires a 12% monthly contribution rate and includes a 100% employer match on Day 1Learn more at Work With Us | Maricopa County, AZ We Require 
 Two years of relevant casework experience within a criminal justice, social service, or court agencyBachelor's degree in psychology, social work, behavioral or social science, or another related fieldA combination of post-secondary education and/or job-related experience may substitute for the minimum qualifications on a year-for-year basis Other Requirements We Also Value 
 A master's degree in psychology, social work, behavioral or social science, or another related fieldCasework experience within a public defender organization, an Arizona criminal justice agency, an Arizona court department, or a probation departmentIntermediate Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills Job Contributions 
 Interview client/family and interested parties to assist in the development of sentencing plans and mitigationCollect, review, and analyze relevant social history recordsPresent and/or submit reports to courts and/or represent attorney to obtain the best possible sentencing outcomeConduct assessments, provide input regarding clients' needs, and make suggestions regarding treatment and dispositionIdentify what alternatives to incarceration may be more appropriate to the caseInitiate and monitor referrals to provide follow-up and interventionTestify in courtAssess clients' social and medical histories, psychological evaluations, educational and legal documentsLocate residential treatment and outpatient treatment programs as a resource for clients; arrange for the client to be interviewed by an agencyNetwork with individuals and community agencies for access to social, educational, and employment resources for clientsIntegrate social history records, interviews, research, and other information into a meaningful and persuasive mitigation presentation that humanizes the client and serves to successfully reintegrate the client into the communityAssist clients with reintegration into the communityPerform other duties as assigned Working Conditions 
 Most work is performed in an office environment, field work, or courtroomWork requires travel to and from job-related locationsWork may require visits in remote areas of the State and visits may be made outside the 'normal' work hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday-FridayAbility to work with traumatic subject matter (crime scenes, accidents, etc.), interruptions, time pressure, high volumes of work, handling multiple or complicated tasks, unscheduled tasks, frequently changing tasks, accuracy, decision making, concentration/vigilance, teamwork, working in close physical proximity with others, public contact, and overtime may be a common occurrenceMay be required to lift 15-25 pounds from floor to waist; 15 pounds waist to shoulder or shoulder to overhead; carry 15-25 pounds a distance of 100 feet or push/pull 100 pounds a distance of 1000 feet Selection Procedure 
 Only the most qualified candidates will be consideredConsideration will only be given to candidates who submit online applicationsCandidates will be contacted primarily through email and their Workday online application profileMust pass a pre-employment background and/or fingerprint investigation as required by statute or policy, including drug and alcohol testing requirements for positions designated as safety-sensitive Maricopa County is an equal opportunity employer. Apply Now! |