Where Small Voices Can Be Heard

Transcription

1 Job Title: Forensic Interviewer Reports To: Program Director Starting Salary: $34,000 - $38,000 Work Hours: Full Time FLSA: Professional Exemption/Salaried Classification: 8864 Social Services Where Small Voices Can Be Heard The mission of the Child Advocacy Center is to respond to child abuse through a team approach designed to reduce trauma, seek justice, and provide hope and healing for children and their families. Excellence is achieved by caring more than others think is wise, risking more than others think is safe, dreaming more than others think is practical, and expecting more than others think is possible. Summary of the Position The Forensic Interviewer is responsible for conducting recorded interview(s) of a child suspecting to have been abused or neglected or having witnessed a crime. Interviews are conducted in a manner that are legally sound, of a neutral, fact finding nature, and are coordinated to avoid duplicative interviewing while assessing the need for medical and mental health services. Description of Essential Job Duties To perform the intake function for the Child Advocacy Center through referrals from law enforcement and Children and Family Services, gathering background information, and coordinating the scheduling of interviews, extended forensic interviews, medical evaluations and hair tests with members of the multidisciplinary team and agency staff. To facilitate a pre-interview team meeting to review the current allegation and relevant family history, the child s living situation and relationship with the alleged perpetrator, as well as discuss possible areas of inquiry. To meet with the non-offending caregiver(s) prior to the interview to discuss the nature of the allegation and circumstances surrounding the disclosure, the family composition and social history, as well as discuss developmental and cultural considerations and answer any questions about the forensic interview process. 1 Child Advocacy Center 5025 Garland Street Lincoln, Nebraska 68504

2 To conduct a recorded forensic interview with children suspected of being victims of child abuse or witnessing a crime in a manner that is legally sound and of a neutral, fact finding nature while remaining sensitive to the unique needs of the child, reducing trauma and assessing medical and mental health needs. To facilitate a post-interview team meeting to review the details gathering from the forensic interview and discuss follow-up including the need to interview additional children identified at risk by the alleged perpetrator(s). To meet with the non-offending caregiver(s) following the interview to review the forensic interview and discuss follow-up including a medical evaluation and mental health services. To prepare a written summary of all forensic interviews conducted at the Child Advocacy Center within 5 business days utilizing NCA Trak and be responsible for the secure storage of interview files. To conduct hair testing as needed at all locations. To rotate on-call responsibilities and be available after hours to respond to emergency situations and provide forensic interviews 24/7 as outlined in Setting the Standard: Procedural Guidebook for Best Practices. To be familiar with the Lincoln/Lancaster County Child Abuse and Neglect Investigation Team Protocols and actively participate in weekly case review. To promote the utilization of the Child Advocacy Center in accordance with team protocols and Nebraska Revised Statute to To earn the respect of the multidisciplinary team and foster open and positive relationships with law enforcement, Children and Family Services and the prosecuting attorney while promoting best practices for child abuse investigation, prosecution and treatment in Southeast Nebraska. To prepare for all court proceedings and provide expert testimony. To maintain a current level of child abuse and forensic interview expertise through local, national and web-based skills-based trainings, journal articles and networking with other Forensic Interviewers. To attend ongoing education in the field of child maltreatment and/or forensic interviewing consisting of a minimum of three hours per every two years of CEU/CME credits. To routinely participate in a formalized peer review process for Forensic Interviewers at least three times per year. 2 Child Advocacy Center 5025 Garland Street Lincoln, Nebraska 68504

3 To make certain that an adequate supply of interview materials and aids is maintained and that interview rooms, materials and aids are neat, orderly and clean condition at all locations. To ensure culturally competent services are provided to all families we serve without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, disability, gender or sexual orientation. To read and comply with the policies and procedures of the Child Advocacy Center as outlined in the Employee Handbook and Setting the Standard: Procedure Guidebook for Best Practices. To promote a positive image of the Child Advocacy Center in the community and participate in special events and fundraising efforts. Supervisory Responsibilities The employee customarily and routinely exercises independent discretion and judgment in the performance of his or her duties and supervises volunteers and interns as assigned. Qualifications Education: A bachelor s degree in social work, psychology, human services, criminal justice or related field is required; master s degree preferred. Bilingual (Spanish/English) is also preferred. Advanced knowledge required including documentation of satisfactory completion of 40 hours of competency-based child abuse forensic interview training that includes child development such as Small Voices, Finding Words, CornerHouse or the National Child Advocacy Center in Huntsville either upon hiring or within the first six months on the job. Forensic Interviewers at the Child Advocacy Center are expected to satisfactorily complete Basic and Advanced Forensic Interview Training within their first two years of employment. The employee is required to attend Darkness to Light: Stewards of Children within their first six months of employment and every three years thereafter. The employee is required to participate in at least 3 hours of training annually related to cultural competency and 8 hours annually related to emerging issues in child abuse and neglect. Experience: Two years of professional experience working with children and families who have either experienced or witnessed trauma is required. Previous professional experience in working with the criminal justice or child welfare system, conducting forensic interviews, testifying in court and working as a member of a multidisciplinary team is preferred. 3 Child Advocacy Center 5025 Garland Street Lincoln, Nebraska 68504

4 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Knowledge and understanding of child development and the impact of trauma. Knowledge and understanding of the dynamics of child abuse and neglect, family violence and substance abuse. Ability to testify effectively in civil and criminal court proceedings. Knowledge and understanding of the forensic interview process including issues of language, memory and suggestibility, as well as current legal challenges in the field. Ability to establish rapport with children, ages 3-18, who have experienced significant trauma and mediate with non-offending caregiver(s) in crisis. Ability to listen and synthesize verbal information quickly. Ability to cope with intense emotions of others without his or her own thoughts or feelings interfering with the process. Strong computer skills with experience working with Microsoft Programs including Word, Excel and Outlook. Ability to be actively engaged in their own professional development and be committed to excellence in everything they do. Ability to listen to the ideas of others, demonstrates pride and ownership in the integrity of their work, and accepts feedback from others to continuously improve. Ability to organize and prioritize tasks to maximize results and ensure deadlines are met. Ability to be a self-starter and work independently. Possess strong communication skills both verbally and in writing. Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team and collaborate with a wide range of professionals including law enforcement, social services, medical and mental health providers. Ability and willingness to establish and maintain positive working relationships. Ability to be flexible and adjust to a quickly changing schedule and handle distractions and interruptions. Ability to take the initiative to identify and solve problems. Knowledge and understanding of cultural diversity and ability to exhibit sensitivity in dealing with people of varied backgrounds, beliefs and abilities. Work Environment The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job duties. While performing the duties of this job, the employee works in an office environment that is well-illuminated and climate controlled. The noise level is usually moderate and occasionally boisterous. Cooperation and flexibility is required 4 Child Advocacy Center 5025 Garland Street Lincoln, Nebraska 68504

5 due to frequent interruptions in a fast paced, dynamic environment presenting multiple demands, constantly shifting schedules and priorities, and simultaneous deadlines. This job requires the employee to work as part of a team and to maintain positive working relationships with a wide variety of people and organizations, including law enforcement agencies, prosecuting attorneys, social service agencies, medical and mental health professionals and other public and private agencies. The work environment can be stressful due to the fact we are working with children who have experienced sexual or physical abuse and their families who are in crisis. In working with the public, and particularly children, there is a possibility of exposure to communicable diseases. Medical providers, child advocates, forensic interviewers and the staff assistant may have limited exposure to blood and body fluids. Physical Requirements The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential job duties. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job duties. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, run, sit, and kneel while routinely interacting with active children. The position requires normal range of hearing, eyesight, coordination and manual dexterity sufficient to record, prepare and communicate reports and operate office equipment. Employees are occasionally required to lift 40 pounds to waist height. The employee must be able to read and write English and to communicate effectively with children of varying ages, as well as adults and families in crisis, the general public and while testifying in court. Other Exempt employees must be able to work flexible hours and to be on-call for emergency situations. Evening and weekend hours are routinely required. All employees must have access to a vehicle, possess a valid driver s license and provide proof of insurance. The position does involve travel throughout Lincoln and Southeast Nebraska. All employees must submit to a criminal history background check prior to being hired and annually at the time of their performance evaluation. Revised May 1, 2015 This job description is meant to describe the general nature and duties that may be required of this position within the Child Advocacy Center. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities associated with this job. Nothing in this job description restricts your supervisor s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. All employment relationships at the Child Advocacy Center are of an at-will nature and may be terminated at any time, with or without cause, and with or without notice. This job description does not constitute a contract of employment. 5 Child Advocacy Center 5025 Garland Street Lincoln, Nebraska 68504