Juvenile Case Manager - Loudoun

Title: Juvenile Case Manager - Loudoun

State Role Title: Legal Services Office II

Hiring Range: Up to $60.00 per hour

Agency: Indigent Defense Commission

Location: LOUDOUN 411

Agency Website: www.vadefenders.org

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Indigent Defense Commission (VIDC) is seeking applications for a Juvenile Mitigation Specialist in the Loudoun Public Defender’s Office. This position supports attorneys by providing critical mitigation services to ensure zealous, high-quality representation for indigent youth charged with criminal offenses. The Juvenile Mitigation Specialist reports to the Chief Public Defender, and regular attendance and physical presence is required. This is an at-will position; funding is supplemented by Loudoun County and is subject to reauthorization annually; therefore, continuation is not guaranteed by the County or the Indigent Defense Commission. This position does not include any state benefits and is limited to 29 hours per week. The selected candidate will be required to complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check.

Duties:

• Conduct comprehensive life-history interviews with juvenile clients, particularly those who are incarcerated, to gather relevant background information, including mental health, education, trauma, and medical history.
• Interview clients’ families, caregivers, friends, and support systems to supplement life-history investigations and provide a fuller picture for mitigation and trial preparation.
• Serve as a crisis support resource for clients, performing preliminary assessments and connecting them with appropriate services and interventions when needed.
• Assist clients in communicating with school communications.
• Assist in developing mitigation strategies and alternative sentencing plans; help identify and prepare appropriate witnesses for court.
  Maintain strict confidentiality regarding client information and case files in accordance with legal and ethical standards.
• Manage caseloads effectively, meet deadlines, complete required documentation, and coordinate with attorneys and staff to support defense efforts.
• Collaborate with external service providers and criminal justice agencies to secure services and resources for clients; assess the appropriateness of programs by visiting facilities and meeting with providers.
• Represent the office on local committees, task forces, and community initiatives that support justice-involved youth.
• Maintain professional conduct and promote the integrity and reputation of the office; work collaboratively with the defense team and uphold professional standards of advocacy and ethics.

This position also requires that the Juvenile Mitigation Specialist behaves professionally to uphold the integrity and enhance the professional reputation of the Juvenile Mitigation Specialist and the office, while also enhancing office efficiency and effectiveness through teamwork. The Juvenile Mitigation Specialist must be aware of and adhere to the code of professional conduct governing all members of the defense team representing criminal defendants.

The IDC is committed to inclusive hiring and is dedicated to diversity in our workforce. We encourage and welcome qualified applicants of all identities, cultures, backgrounds, and experiences.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required, and education demonstrating requisite knowledge.
• Demonstrated experience working in a mental health or social services setting with youth, families, and support systems.
• Strong interviewing and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport and maintain productive relationships with clients and their networks.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative defense team.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel as needed for client interviews and service coordination.
• Ability to fully utilize technology tools and systems.
  

Additional Considerations

• Prior experience in mitigation work, including gathering records, interviewing sources, and preparing family/social history reports.
• Familiarity with interpreting medical and mental health records and identifying key mitigating factors.
• Knowledge of the criminal legal system, especially juvenile justice processes and sentencing alternatives.
• Proficiency in Spanish or other languages spoken by the client population.
• Experience working with indigent or marginalized populations.

Special Instructions

Applications for this position require a cover letter and resume. Failure to submit both may disqualify you from further consideration.

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

While creating an account through the state system will save your basic information (please remember your username and password), applications are NOT saved for future openings. We encourage you to apply to any and all of the positions you may be considering within the IDC.

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a fingerprint-based criminal background check. Being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment. IDC uses the E-Verify system and does not provide sponsorship.

Applications for this position must be submitted electronically through this website. Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand-delivered applications and resumes will not be accepted. IDC does not accept “see resume” as a response to any question. Information on the application is the primary source used for screening the position. Reasonable accommodations are available to applicants if requested, during the application and/or interview process.

Edits cannot be made to the application once you have received a confirmation number. Phone calls are not accepted regarding an inquiry into the status of an application. Please login to the RMS system for status updates.

Contact Information

Name: Ashley Washington

Phone: 804-662-7249

Email: recruiting@vadefenders.org

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.