Job Details for Mitigation Specialist/Investigator
| Court Name/Organization | Tennessee Eastern Federal Defender Services, Inc. |
| Overview of the Position | The mitigation specialist/investigator works collaboratively with paralegals, investigators, and attorneys to contribute to case strategy under the supervision of the trial unit supervisor and chief investigator. We are hiring one full-time mitigation specialist/investigator in our Knoxville office and one full-time mitigation specialist/investigator in our Greeneville office. |
| Location | Knoxville, Greeneville, TN |
| Opening and Closing Dates | 02/23/2026 - 03/20/2026 |
| Appointment Type | Permanent |
| Classification Level/Grade | JSP 11/1 to JSP 14/10 |
| Salary | $74,678 - $163,514 |
Position Description
The mitigation specialist/investigator works collaboratively with paralegals, investigators, and attorneys to contribute to case strategy under the supervision of the trial unit supervisor and chief investigator. The mitigation specialist/investigator is responsible for identifying, locating, and interviewing a variety of witnesses; developing written reports; and identifying, collecting, and reviewing a vast array of records. The mitigation specialist/investigator determines experts that might be consulted; facilitates the client’s entry into necessary and available inpatient and outpatient treatment programs, housing, and vocational training programs; develops and maintains a list of service providers in various fields; develops and maintains a list of inpatient and outpatient treatment facilities, short-term low income/homeless housing, and vocational training and educational programs; establishes and maintains relationships with the staff at identified facilities and at the Federal Bureau of Prisons; prepares sentencing presentations in writing or through video; and maintains sufficient knowledge of current research and trends in areas such as substance abuse, mental health, and the effects of incarceration.
Qualifications
Candidates must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in social work or a related field such as anthropology, psychology, sociology, or criminal justice. An advanced or graduate degree in social work or related field is preferred. Candidates must have at least three years of experience conducting fact and/or mitigation investigations, preferably in the criminal justice arena. Applicants must possess substantial investigative skills to assist in a team approach to planning and developing litigation strategies and in investigating, analyzing, and developing evidence. Candidates should possess excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to establish and maintain good working relationships, and the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing and as a witness in court proceedings. Spanish language proficiency is strongly desired.
Applicants must have a valid driver’s license and insurance and own a vehicle for business purposes. A working knowledge of Word, Outlook, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat is required. A working knowledge of Accurint is preferred.
Employee Benefits
Salary is commensurate with years of experience and qualifications in accordance with the Defender Organization Classification System and the Federal Judicial Salary Plan (JSP). The current salary range is JSP 11/1 at $74,678 to JSP 14/10 at $163,514 annually.
FDSET offers a generous benefits package, which includes paid vacation and sick leave, 11+ paid annual holidays, medical, dental, vision, life/AD&D, long-term disability, and 401K retirement. FDSET provides medical (employee-only plans), dental, vision, basic life/AD&D, and long-term disability at no monthly premium cost to employees. A partial remote work week is available to employees after an initial probationary period.
Miscellaneous
The mitigation specialist/investigator works collaboratively with paralegals, investigators, and attorneys to contribute to case strategy under the supervision of the trial unit supervisor and chief investigator. The mitigation specialist/investigator is responsible for identifying, locating, and interviewing a variety of witnesses; developing written reports; and identifying, collecting, and reviewing a vast array of records. The mitigation specialist/investigator determines experts that might be consulted; facilitates the client’s entry into necessary and available inpatient and outpatient treatment programs, housing, and vocational training programs; develops and maintains a list of service providers in various fields; develops and maintains a list of inpatient and outpatient treatment facilities, short-term low income/homeless housing, and vocational training and educational programs; establishes and maintains relationships with the staff at identified facilities and at the Federal Bureau of Prisons; prepares sentencing presentations in writing or through video; and maintains sufficient knowledge of current research and trends in areas such as substance abuse, mental health, and the effects of incarceration.
Application Info
Qualified individuals may apply by sending ALL the following documents in a combined PDF file to Sharon_Buckingham@fd.org by Friday, March 20, 2026.
- Cover letter
- Resume
- Three references
An email confirming receipt of the application materials will be sent to all applicants. Only those selected for interviews will receive further communication.
FDSET values a diverse workforce and is an equal opportunity employer.
The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.