Life History Investigator

Advancing Real Change (ARC), Inc. is actively recruiting for the position of Life History Investigator. The position will be filled in ARC, Inc.’s Birmingham, AL office, scheduled to open in January 2026, and/or in Jacksonville, FL.

The Life History Investigator will lead mitigation investigations on behalf of indigent clients at risk of extreme sentences. The Investigator may be asked to work on various types of cases including those where a sentence of death, life without parole, or decades incarceration is a possible outcome. Cases may originate at the federal or state level, and could be at any stage in proceedings. Regardless of the case characteristics, the Life History Investigator is entrusted with ensuring that our clients receive the mitigation investigation they are constitutionally guaranteed.

Who we are (and are not)

ARC, Inc. is dedicated to doing big things. Our team is committed to ensuring that our clients receive the quality defense to which they are entitled. We believe that providing such a defense requires reasonable caseloads; a typical Life History Investigator caseload is in the low single digits and is shared with an ARC, Inc. Records Specialist.

We believe strongly in human dignity and its potential as a force for change within and beyond the criminal legal system. We seek to provide our staff members with the compensation, support, and flexibility that will enable them sustain this effort over time. As teammates, we respect each other’s diverse contributions to the work.

ARC, Inc. is neither a private firm nor a government agency. If you are looking for a 9-to-5 job, if you take a checklist-style approach to mitigation, or if you are anything less than 100% committed to the inherent dignity of our clients and the work involved in carrying that message forward, we are not a fit for you.

What we offer

The salary range for this position is $55,000 to $65,000. Benefits include an employer contribution toward health and dental coverage (can be applied to our group plan premium or received as a taxed stipend) and employer contributions to a SIMPLE IRA retirement plan. ARC, Inc. will also cover expenses related to approved professional development opportunities. Our leave policy includes no annual limit on, or pay deductions for, time off. It is our hope that staff members use this time to balance periods that require extensive and sustained work.

Most importantly, we offer the opportunity to work in an environment that acknowledges that your ultimate responsibility is to our clients and that we will provide every support to help meet that commitment. By accepting a position with us, you are committed to creating systemic change and accept the challenges that come with that goal.

What you will offer

The ideal candidate for this position will bring:

• A minimum of 2 years of experience as a mitigation specialist on capital and/or juvenile life without parole cases (your application for this position will not be considered if you do not meet this minimum requirement)
• commitment to upholding and promoting mitigation standards, as outlined in the ABA Guidelines for Mitigation Function of Defense Team in Capital Cases and in the Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth Guidelines for the Representation of Child Clients
• mindfulness of what is needed to work across cultural differences of all kinds
• resilience in the face of difficult work
• collaborative approach to work as part of a team of mission-driven individuals from diverse backgrounds

Position Details

The Life History Investigator is a full-time position based in ARC, Inc.’s office in Birmingham, AL or Jacksonville, FL. This position reports directly to the Co-Directors of Mitigation Casework and, as colleagues on case teams, aids in directing the day-to-day tasks of Records Specialists. The responsibilities of the position include:

Case progress

Ensures that each client’s case is moving forward on all fronts.

• Building strong, trusting relationships with clients
• Identifying, locating, and interviewing witnesses who are knowledgeable about the client at every phase of life, and developing ongoing relationships as needed
• Ensuring progress on the dual fronts of investigation: records and in-person interviews to inform and build case theories
• Developing the theory memo to identify themes and drive case narratives
• Identifying and vocalizing need for additional resources
• Aiding in the selection of appropriate experts

Adherence to professional standards

Conducts an investigation that is standards-compliant.

• Conducting investigation that is multi-generational, field-based, and collaborative
• Conducting interviews that are unannounced, in-person and open-ended
• Understanding and complying with rules dictated by case posture and jurisdiction
• When needed, educating stakeholders about standards compliant work and why it is necessary to the goal of obtaining reliable information

Team collaboration

Works as a fully-engaged member of the defense team.

• Ensuring case file is well-organized and accessible by all team members
• Producing memos that are clear, concise, and timely
• Collaborating with all members of the team to develop theories of the case and case strategy

Organizational Engagement

Participates as a full member of the ARC, Inc. team.

• Knowing and adhering to all organization policies and procedures
• Fully and enthusiastically participating in team meetings
• Reporting on case progress and outcomes for use in planning, fundraising, and external communications
• Engaging in events, initiatives, and other tasks as requested by management

Application process

Those wishing to apply for this position should first ensure that they meet the following minimum requirements: 2 years mitigation experience, clear written and oral expression, driver’s license (or ability to obtain one), willingness to travel, and familiarity with issues in mental health, mental disability, trauma, racial justice, poverty, and other relevant topics. If your mitigation experience is less than 2 years, is primarily internship-based, or does not include significant work on capital or JLWOP cases, please review our Records Specialist posting. You may also reach out to [email protected] to inquire whether you meet the minimum requirement for this position prior to completing a full application.

Additional qualifications that are preferred but not required include a 4-year degree, relevant post-graduate degree, a second language (preferably Spanish), and proficiency with Excel. This position is required to qualify for a private investigator’s license; if you meet other qualifications but are unsure of your eligibility for a license, you are encouraged to contact our team for further discussion.

Those meeting the minimum requirements should apply by submitting a cover letter, resume, contact information for three references, and a brief (3 – 5 page) writing sample using the form below. Please indicate your interest in being considered for the Birmingham office, Jacksonville office, or both locations. Successful applications will convey the applicant’s fit with the position as described and motivation for a career in mitigation.

ARC, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, which welcomes qualified applicants of all races, ethnicities, genders, gender identities, disability status, and sexual orientations, as well as those who have been system-involved.