Forensic Interviewer

Cherish Child Advocacy Center; Carmel (IN); On-site; USD 50,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Cherish Child Advocacy Center seeks a Forensic Interviewer to provide child-focused forensic interviews and coordinate services for families. The role emphasizes interviewing children, maintaining case records, and advocating for children within a multidisciplinary team.

The position is full-time with on-call responsibilities and requires a Bachelor’s degree and two years’ experience with at-risk youth, plus national forensic interview training. A background check is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and at least two (2) years' experience working with children and families at risk (required).
• Trauma Informed Care training or nationally accepted forensic interview training recommended.
• Completion of a 4-6 month training period with requirements before approval as a forensic interviewer.

Responsibilities

• Conduct intake of new clients, schedule interviews, and coordinate with participating multidisciplinary team members
• Welcome child and family/guardian to the facility and assist with registration paperwork
• Conduct forensic interviews of children and adolescents alleging abuse or witnessing violent crime
• Facilitate pre/post interview multidisciplinary staffing
• Distribute evidence to multidisciplinary team members while maintaining chain of custody
• Respond to subpoenas and testify in court when requested
• Participate in case reviews and present cases
• Enter data into case tracking system
• Administer client surveys
• Advocate for the needs of child clients and families
• Participate in peer review and continuing education to stay current with protocol and research
• Share in on-call responsibilities

Education

Bachelor's Degree

40-hour Child Forensic Interview Training (NCA)

Job description

Job Title: Forensic Interviewer

Reports To: Executive Director / Forensic Interview Director

Classification/Benefits: Full-time, including on-call responsibilities

Starting Pay Range: $56,000 annually, based on experience

Position Description: This position is charged with providing forensic interviews to children who are suspected of being victims of sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, exploitation, or who have witnessed violent crimes. The Forensic Interviewer will also coordinate services and act as an advocate for children and families.

Primary Responsibilities and Duties

1. Conduct intake of new clients, schedule interviews, and coordinate with participating multidisciplinary team members
2. Welcome child and family/guardian to the facility and assist with registration paperwork
3. Conduct forensic interviews of children and adolescents alleging sexual or physical abuse, neglect, solicitation or exploitation, or witness to domestic violence or other violent crime, utilizing an approved national protocol
4. Facilitate pre/post interview multidisciplinary staffing
5. Distribute evidence to multidisciplinary team members while maintaining a clear chain of custody
6. Respond to subpoenas and testify in court when requested
7. Participate in case reviews and present cases
8. Enter data into case tracking system
9. Administer client surveys
10. Act as an advocate for the needs of child clients and families as needed
11. Participate in peer review and continuing education to stay abreast of protocol and research updates
12. Share in on-call responsibilities

General Performance Expectations

1. Maintain a productive workload/schedule to accomplish work assignments
2. Adhere to Cherish Center and Multidisciplinary Team policies and procedures
3. Maintain and appropriately handle all confidential information
4. Demonstrate cultural awareness and sensitivity towards clients and staff
5. Demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness
6. Demonstrate the ability to work and contribute to a team concept
7. Demonstrate the ability to problem solve and utilize critical thinking skills
8. Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in written form; has good listening skills
9. Demonstrate effective time management skills with the ability to distinguish between low and high priority activitiesDemonstrate the ability to work in MS Windows operating system environment with MS Office applications, as well as Google applications, and to operate a variety of office equipment
10. Demonstrate the ability to adapt to change; open to new ideas and responsibilities
11. Demonstrate reliable and conscientious behaviors in carrying out job tasks
12. Demonstrate initiative by showing capacity for independent actions and exercising good judgment
13. Demonstrate the ability to perform well under pressure and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
14. Use resources efficiently
15. Display competencies essential to effective job performance
16. Display a positive work ethic and agree to Cherish Center's Standards of Excellence
17. Any other secondary duties, as assigned

Training and Development Expectations

1. Mandatory 40-hour Child Forensic Interview NCA training.
2. Participate in in-services and other continuing education/training, including peer review
3. Deliver in-services and other continuing education/training as applicable
4. Participate in appropriate team and administrative meetings
5. Seek and obtain supervision as needed
6. Complete mandatory 20+ hours of additional training annually

Minimum Requirements:

Bachelor's Degree and at least two (2) years' experience working with children and families at risk. Prefer candidates that have had Trauma Informed Care training, Child Forensic Interview Training by a nationally accepted protocol (APSAC, NCAC, Child First, etc.), or law enforcement. All Child Forensic Interviewers will be required to participate / complete a 4-6 month training period with specific requirements before being approved to be a forensic interviewer.

Other:

The nature of work may generate considerable physical, mental and visual demands. Must maintain a valid driver's license, current automobile insurance and a driving record that meets the guidelines and requirements of the organization. Demonstrated interest and expertise in working effectively with clientele, staff, and the public. Must be able to develop skills in forensic interviewing. Must pass criminal background check, DCS background check and drug testing.