What are the responsibilities and job description for the Mitigation Specialist position at City of Lincoln/Lancaster County, NE?

Salary : $71,477.12 - $91,551.20 Annually

Location : Lincoln, NE

Job Type : Full time / probationary or status

Job Number : 202400485C-2

Department : Public Defender

Opening Date : 11 / 06 / 2024

Closing Date : 2 / 28 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Central

Job Posting Information

This is a full-time position working 40 hours per week, 8 : 00 a.m. to 4 : 30 p.m., Monday through Friday, For benefit information, click on the Benefits tab.

This is advanced social work providing mitigation and forensic social work services to the Public Defender clientele.

Work involves responsibility for identifying, communicating, and alleviating the issues that have

led to the clients' contact with the criminal justice system. Upon referral by the attorneys, the mitigation specialist will conduct biopsychosocial interviews with juveniles and adults, identifying issues related to mental health, substance use, developmental delays, disabilities and trauma. Work also includes connecting clients to resources in the community and working with attorneys to advocate for appropriate outcomes that take into consideration a more holistic view of who our clients are, and how we can prevent the cycle of criminal level involvement.

Nature of Work / Examples of Work Performed

Identify and analyze clients' social and medical histories, psychological evaluations, education and legal documents; interview clients to gather biopsychosocial information, review relevant records, talk to natural supports to draft a mental health assessment that can be used by the legal team throughout all phases of the criminal case.

Interview clients who suffer from the effects of poverty, addiction, trauma, complex medical

histories, developmental delays, or mental health issues who may have difficulty trusting those trying to help them and provide therapeutic intervention.

Provide pretrial case management information sharing services to develop and facilitate support for clients in the community or county jail.

Partner with the defense attorney to develop mitigation strategy and assist in planning for client's pretrial release, rehabilitation, and reintegration into the community.

Write detailed and comprehensive mitigation reports that tell the client's story and includes

information on clients' family and community circumstances, including abuse, trauma, or interface with the child welfare system, mental health, progress since arrest and the demonstrated maturity and rehabilitation potential.

Track and analyze data for the program on overall referrals, significant case work, competency filing and restoration, subjective view of impact of services with multiple data.

Develop bond plans for pretrial incarcerated individuals by identifying, communicating, and

planning to alleviate the underlying factors that contributed to their involvement in the criminal justice system.

Oversee the recidivism checks at set intervals following case closure; draft and shape program policies and procedures to best serve clients and meet staff needs.

Act as a liaison between the Public Defender's Office and the educational institution; review prospective intern applications, conduct site interviews, and approve or deny internship applications.

Desirable Knowledge, Abilities & Skills / Desirable Training & Experience

Knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of executing forensic social service work and delivering programmatic services.

Knowledge of the intersection of criminal defense and social work and the collateral

consequences of criminal charges, convictions and mitigation process.

Knowledge of sociological, behavioral and cultural factors influencing the behavior and attitudes.

Knowledge of the functions, programs and services provided by various community agencies,

including the exclusion and inclusion criteria and referral process.

Knowledge of program development, management and evaluation within a larger organizational structure.

Knowledge of psychological, psychiatric, addition, medical, and other concepts related to

rehabilitative alternatives to confinement.

Ability to interpret standards and regulations which impact programs or program areas and

compose relative policies and procedures.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, clients and

families in adverse circumstances, community agencies and service providers and the general public.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing including clear, accurate and

comprehensive reports that contain findings, conclusions and recommendations.

Ability to develop, maintain and analyze statistical and confidential client records.

Skill in working with clients from varying socioeconomic backgrounds who may live with mental illness, substance use, pervasive trauma, complex medical needs, and developmental disabilities.

Minimum Qualifications / Necessary Special Requirements

Desired Qualification :

Licensed as an independent clinical social worker (LICSW) in the state of Nebraska (CMSW and LIMHP).

Qualifications :

Master's degree in social work field plus at 2 years of experience working with people dealing with mental health or substance abuse issues, the legal system or correctional system including some supervisory experience; or any equivalent combination of training and experience.

Necessary Specialist Requirements :

Licensed as a clinical social worker (LCSW) in the State of Nebraska (CMSW & LMHP).

Possession of a valid driver's license when operating a vehicle is necessary to the satisfactory performance of assigned duties.

We value each Lancaster County employee and one way we demonstrate this is by providing an attractive and competitive total compensation package that adds value to our employees' professional and personal lives. The following benefits are available for this position :

Pay increases are available upon completion of the 6-month new employee probationary period, and annually thereafter based on performance.
We encourage a healthy work-life balance by offering 10 days of vacation leave and 13 days of sick leave that begin accruing upon hire; plus 11 paid holidays and up to 16 hours of non-cumulative personal holidays per year.
All medical, dental, and vision benefits for you and your family begin the first of the month following hire, no need to wait!
30 days of Paid Parental Leave
Employee Assistance Programs offering work / life services, wellness coaching, short-term counseling, legal assistance, and financial coaching.
Up to 3 days of Funeral and Bereavement Leave
30,000 of Life Insurance
401(a) Retirement Plan . When you make an 8% contribution, the County will match your contribution 100%.
Employer provided Post Employment Health Plan for eligible medical expenses after you leave County employment.
Optional benefits include :

Medical and / or Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts

Allstate Voluntary Plans

Supplemental Term Life

Deferred Compensation Plans

APPLICATION COMPLETION ACKNOWLEDGEMENTTo successfully complete your application, please make sure you read each statement below and check ALL boxes prior to submission.

1. This application is hand scored.

2. ALL questions must be fully answered to receive full credit.

3. "See Resume", or answers such as "See " are not acceptable responses and will not receive full credit.

4. Copied / Pasted answers will not receive full credit.

5. ALL employers and education referred to in answers must be listed in the Work History and Education sections of the application for verification and to receive full credit.

6. I understand I am responsible for the accuracy and completeness of my application.

7. I Acknowledge that I have read and understand each of the above statements.

The Hiring Department has requested that all applicants provide a writing sample. Samples can be attached to your application, but must be as a Microsoft Word or PDF document. If you have difficulty attaching your document, please email it to bboggs@lincoln.ne.govPlease provide a written response to the following scenario : Joe Smith is a client who is being represented by our office on a F3A (0-3 years prison time) domestic assault, 3rd degree, prior. He has bonded out. The attorney brought you on board because the client has disclosed to them a desire to "get my life on track". The lawyer has requested eventual mitigation report.Joe was removed from his mother's care in TN after she assaulted him with an extension cord. She was not receptive to services; thus, Joe was in several out of home placements throughout life and had a difficult time attaching to any positive figure or role model. He endured further abuse at the hands of his "caregivers". He was sent to prison before his 19th birthday for assault. He has difficulties with interpersonal relationships, and as a child engaged in para suicidal behaviors. Joe tells you that he is employed with a local construction company and his job is stable. He was living with his girlfriend (alleged victim) prior to the assault. Since there is a no contact provision of his bond, he is staying with his biological mother now on a temporary basis. In recent years, Joe has become addicted to prescription opiate pain pills- which were initially prescribed because of a work injury. He has tried on his own unsuccessfully to quit. When he comes down, he becomes irritable and aggressive. Joe experiences flashbacks of his abuse from years in the system. His relationships are unstable, and he shows dependent personality traits. He experiences depression. He was on Risperdal in the remote past. During your work with Joe, you got him set up with a Batterer Intervention Program (BIP) and he is on week 12 of his 30-week ccommitment. He underwent a substance use evaluation and was recommended to go to Intensive Outpatient Treatment after a medical detox at Bryan LGH. He is involved in Intensive Outpatient Treatment. His sobriety is at risk secondary to unstable housing. Joe continues to live with his mother, and that relationship is rocky at best. He has the goal to save up enough money to get a small studio apartment. Please help us communicate a bit of Joe's background to the judge so we can show how he got from Point A to Point B, and advocate to the courts why Joe is a good candidate for probation. Any information you do not know, please feel free to make up accordingly. Thank you so much.

I acknowledge that a writing sample must be submitted.

Indicate if you have a Master's Degree in the following :

Social Work

Psychology

Sociology

Counseling

Related field (specify below)

None

If checking related field, please specify the field. If not applicable, enter n / a.

Are you licensed as a License Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the State of Nebraska (CMSW, & LMHP}?

Are you licensed as a clinical social worker (LCSW) in a state other than Nebraska?

If yes, please list the state(s). If not applicable, enter n / a.

Do you have experience working with people dealing with mental health or substance abuse issues, the legal system, or correctional system?

No experience

Yes, less than 2 years experience

Yes, 2 to 4 years experience

Yes, more than 4 years experience

If yes, please list the employers from your application where you acquired this experience. If no experience, enter n / a.

If yes, please describe your work experience. If no experience, enter n / a,

Do you have supervisory experience?