CAREER OPPORTUNITY
Mitigation Specialist
[CPP-09]
ACLU Capital Punishment Project

The newly expanded Capital Punishment Project of the American Civil Liberties Union invites applications for a Mitigation Specialist to work in the Project's Durham, North Carolina office. The Specialist will work under the supervision of the Director of the Capital Punishment Project.

PROJECT OVERVIEW:
Through a nationwide program of strategic litigation and public advocacy, the Project focuses on the unfairness and arbitrariness of capital punishment while working toward its ultimate goal of abolishing the death penalty. The Project's litigation is conducted throughout the country, with particular focus on the South

JOB DESCRIPTION:
The Mitigation Specialist is responsible for investigating and analyzing relevant mitigation evidence for both trials and post-conviction proceedings in capital cases. In addition, the Mitigation Specialist is responsible for preparing comprehensive social histories of capital defendants through client interviews, collateral interviews with multi-generational family members and others, and the collection and evaluation of life history records (school, hospital, child welfare agencies, etc.). S/he will also network with other mental health experts.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Equivalent combination of the following education and experience is required: B.S.W. or comparable degree in a related field and a minimum of 4 years experience as a mitigation specialist; M.S.W. or comparable degree in a related field and 2 years experience as mitigation specialist; or equivalent years of experience in capital cases.

Extensive experience in research and fact gathering.

Excellent writing and communications skills, both written and verbal, are required.

The individual must have substantial familiarity with all of the following:

(1) with the law governing mitigation evidence in capital cases;

(2) with the psychological, behavioral and neurological diseases and disorders set forth in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; and

(3) with the protocols for interviewing family members, relative, friends, neighbors, teachers, employers and other potential mitigation witnesses to obtain information regarding the capital defendant's life story relevant to statutory and nonstatutory mitigating factors.

Ability to work as part of the defense team in a client-centered practice, and maintain the confidentiality of all information obtained while working on the case.

Experience with Internet research and strong computer skills with programs such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Ability to travel throughout the country.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:
Salary commensurate with experience, within the parameters of the ACLU compensation scale. An excellent benefits package is provided.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
Please send a letter of interest, a current resume, the names, telephone numbers and addresses of three work-related references, and a relevant writing sample to:

American Civil Liberties Union
Human Resources Department
Attn: [CPP-09]
125 Broad Street, 18th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Or
hrjobs@aclu.org