JOB TITLE: Child Forensic Interviewer & Family Advocate
REPORTS TO: Director, Children’s Advocacy Center
POSITION PURPOSE: The Safe Passage Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC), a program within Safe Passage, provides a comprehensive multi-disciplinary response to child abuse cases in a child-friendly environment. The forensic interviewer and family advocate will conduct evidence-based forensic interviews of children referred to the program following an allegation of child sex abuse, physical abuse, or neglect, or when the child has witnessed a crime. The interviewer will conduct recorded interviews according to best practices, complete necessary documentation, coordinate cases with multi-disciplinary team members, participate in interview peer reviews, and provide expert and fact witness testimony in criminal and civil cases. In their role as family advocate, the applicant will provide clients with referrals for services, programs, and assist with case management.
NATURE AND SCOPE:
This position is subject to Board policies, administrative rules and procedures, department regulations and applicable State and Federal statutes. This position carries limited administrative responsibility and supervision of staff and volunteers.
ESSENTIAL QUALITIES:
- Ability to function despite the stress of routine exposure to details of domestic violence, child abuse, and adult and child sexual assault allegations.
- Support the mission and vision and values of Safe Passage.
- Possesses and adheres to the values of Safe Passage: Survivor Centered, Integrity, Empowerment, Collaboration and Leading Boldly.
- Communicates in an inclusive and collaborative manner.
- Develops trust among co-workers through honesty and fairness.
- Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
- Is respectful, caring and courageous.
- Possesses personal qualities of integrity, credibility and accountability
- Involved in, and supportive of continuous overall improvement of the work.
- Maintain satisfactory job attendance record.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Conduct forensic interviews of children, adolescents, and appropriate adult crime victims and witnesses.
- Work in partnership with law enforcement officers and child welfare caseworkers.
- Discuss planned and completed forensic interviews with non-offending parents or guardians.
- Refer interviewees to medical and psychological professionals as needed.
- Attend and review cases at monthly multidisciplinary team meetings.
- Attend online, local, regional, and national training events to maintain and improve interview skills.
- Assist clients in safety planning, identifying options, and problem-solving.
- Maintain a safe environment by supervising the activities of children visiting the CAC.
- Serve as a liaison between victims, child protective services, law enforcement, and prosecution.
- Provide information and referrals about legal resources, community resources, and Safe Passage services.
- Supervise social work interns and volunteers.
- Provide witness testimony in criminal and civil cases.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the CAC Director.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- Work is performed primarily indoors within an office. Involves sitting, walking and occasional lifting up to 40 pounds. Requires the use of computers, office equipment, and driving personal vehicle. Travel to offices of health care or social service providers as well as attendance at evening and weekend activities may be necessary. Will work with high stress child, family, or personal situations.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- BA in Social Work, Psychology, or related field, or equivalent work experience.
- Previously trained (or willingness and ability to be trained) in a nationally-recognized forensic interviewing protocol.
- Previous experience conducting forensic interviews or previous experience working (1) with children; (2) with crime victims; or (3) in counseling.
- Previously trained or willingness to attain 32 hours of crisis intervention for new advocates.
- Ability to pass initial and annual criminal history/background checks.
SALARY RANGE: $19-$25, Depending on experience
PRIMARY LOCATION: Safe Passage Children’s Advocacy Center, 2190 West Ironwood Center Drive, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814.
SHIFT TYPE: Regularly M-F 8:30-5:00
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $19.00 - $25.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Vision insurance
