Investigator / Mitigation Specialist (Capital Habeas Unit)

The Federal Public Defender for the Western District of Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh Division) is seeking an Investigator/Mitigation Specialist for its Capital Habeas Unit (CHU), subject to the availability of funds. The CHU represents death-sentenced prisoners in federal habeas corpus proceedings in the United States District Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. This is a full-time position located in Pittsburgh. Experienced candidates will be considered for remote work. 

The CHU Investigator /Mitigation Specialist plays an integral role in the development and work-up of both guilt phase and penalty phase issues, including the development of mitigation evidence. The CHU Investigator/Mitigation Specialist meets regularly with clients; locates and interviews witnesses with relevant information about the crime and the client’s family, background, and mental health; locates and retrieves documents and other evidence; reviews and analyzes records and transcripts as part of the investigative work-up; serves subpoenas; drafts social history memos; and assists with the preparation and presentation of evidence and witnesses at evidentiary hearings.