Mitigation Specialist, Exploitation Intervention Project

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 representing clients currently being prosecuted and will also assist with post-conviction relief. Please note that this position is based out of Legal Aid’s Manhattan office, but covers cases in all five boroughs and requires frequent travel to Legal Aid’s borough offices as well as to Rikers, on occasion.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments with clients and interview collaterals for the purposes of writing persuasive mitigation reports, informing the legal strategy and developing a treatment plan. This may include the use of validated instruments (e.g. PCL-5, ACE questionnaire, etc.) as appropriate
Review and synthesize records including, but not limited to, medical, educational, psychiatric, and employment
Attend court appearances, prep clients for and attend proffers, participate in case conferences, etc
Assess and address client needs such as access to benefits, housing, counseling, and make referrals as appropriate
Support clients in immigration proceedings in collaboration with EIP’s immigration attorney (assessing clients, writing responses to Requests For Evidence, etc.)
Participate in post-conviction relief efforts including interviewing clients, writing select elements of motions and providing socioemotional support to clients through the post-conviction 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
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
Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Required qualifications:

Required qualifications: MSW degree and New York State (NYS) license in social work (LMSW or LCSW) preferred OR the ability to obtain LMSW licensure within 6 months of hire
Experience working with sex workers, labor/sex trafficking survivors, and/or victims of gender-based violence, OR with clients who are justice-involved and/or who have experienced trauma, mental illness and substance use
Excellent writing skills with a strong emphasis in persuasive writing
Strong track record of interdisciplinary collaboration
Strong organizational and time management skills
Proficiency in languages other than English (particularly Spanish or Mandarin) desirable but not required