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POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Mitigation Investigator - San Francisco (Hybrid, Flexible) - Full Time Exempt

Posted January 27, 2026 | Open Until Filled

We are hiring a Mitigation Investigator to conduct bio-psychosocial history investigations on behalf of our clients who face the death penalty and other extreme punishments within the criminal legal system. This work involves establishing strong relationships with our clients inside prisons and jails and frequent travel within the United States and abroad to conduct interviews and retrieve records that shed light on our clients’ backgrounds and upbringings, their unique strengths and vulnerabilities; then synthesizing these findings and research into clear and compelling written reports and presentations. This position requires tenacity, drive, and above all, a commitment to value our clients’ stories as instruments for transformation, to ensure the best possible outcomes in the face of extreme adversity.

‍WHO WE ARE:  FPJ is a nonprofit mitigation investigation office and community resource center based in San Francisco, CA. Our mission is to fight the death penalty and mitigate the harms of extreme sentencing through life history investigation, client advocacy, and community healing. Our team comes from a variety of backgrounds and is known around the country for relentless advocacy, creative approaches, and winning results. 

We conduct bio-psychosocial history investigations on behalf of individuals facing the death penalty. These investigations paint a full picture of the complexity of human lives in an effort to provide legal decision-makers with the information they need to arrive at life-affirming verdicts. 

Through trauma-informed investigations, we have become intimately familiar with the risk factors that place folks in harm’s way and at risk for incarceration. In response, our community initiatives aim to build and bolster the support that is necessary for growth and resilience of those most impacted by death penalty prosecutions and extreme sentencing. These initiatives are led by justice-involved staff, including former clients who have been freed as a result of our work. Our organization was founded to disrupt the prison-industrial complex by redirecting its resources to impacted communities.

‍WHAT WE OFFER: The salary range for this full-time, exempt position is $76,000 - $90,000 based on years of related experience and training. Since much of the work takes place in the community, we have a flexible telecommute policy so long as you maintain regular office presence and communication. The nature of the work requires overnight travel some evenings, weekends, and holidays; for which we provide an organizational expense card. 

At FPJ, you’ll work alongside leaders who have helped shape the field of death penalty defense. Our staff includes former clients, system-impacted individuals, and nationally recognized advocates and pioneers in mitigation investigation, known for setting high standards for rigor, creativity, and care. We take our work seriously.  We do it well. And we believe that centering community and humanity are the keys to safety and social change. As such, we maintain a supportive environment in our office and regularly meet to share skills, workshop cases, and process the weight of the work. 

We cover 100% of premiums for employee medical, dental, vision, long term disability, and life insurance coverage; and we share the costs of employee’s dependents. We match 401(k) retirement contributions up to 3% and provide the necessary technology to do your work. 

‍WHAT YOU BRING: 

2 years of full-time professional work experience in journalism, social work, justice, advocacy, nonprofits, or any related field

Strong interpersonal, listening, and observation skills with professionalism and maturity

Ability to establish strong working relationships with individuals from all backgrounds 

Ability to work a very flexible schedule, including occasional weekends and holidays 

Ability to travel domestically and internationally, sometimes on short notice 

Ability to pass background checks to enter jails, prisons, state hospitals, and other secure facilities 

Ability and resilience to navigate challenging situations, work independently, and confidently challenge abuses of power and human rights 

Excellent writing skills and a strategic approach to institutional barriers

Willingness to contribute to the overall wellness of the organization and team

Driver’s license

While not required, ideal candidates carry prior experience in criminal defense mitigation investigation, restorative justice, interviewing, record collection, and/or social justice advocacy.  Applicants who are fluent in Spanish are strongly encouraged to apply, as well as those directly impacted by the criminal legal system. 

‍APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: If interested, apply here! Please submit a resume and cover letter which includes your thoughts on the death penalty as currently applied in the United States. In your letter, please also discuss your ability to work with and advocate on behalf of individuals who come from backgrounds different from your own. Writing samples are encouraged.

Full Picture Justice is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider employment for qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Questions? hiring@fullpicturejustice.org