Forensic Interviewer

Job Summary

To provide direct services to victims of child abuse and sexual violence and their families who are utilizing services through Roosevelt General Hospital Child Advocacy Center. Must work well with children, families, law enforcement, and staff. Can work in stressful situations and utilize self-care methods.

Essential Functions:

• Conduct forensic interviews of children and adolescents of alleged abuse using a multidisciplinary approach, usually during office hours but occasionally after hours.
• Maintain all records of interviews, including written case records and ensuring proper storage and/or chain of custody of video and audio tapes of interviews.
• Facilitate pre/post interview multidisciplinary case staffing.
• Respond to subpoenas and testify when requested.
• Participate in case reviews and present cases when requested.
• Participate in supervision, peer review, professional development, and on-going training activities including being trained in forensic interview technique.
• Coordinate interview schedule.
• Assist team with and participate in fundraisers and special events.
• Take part in monthly volunteer advocate meetings as needed and provide updates and feedback on services.
• Participate in providing on-call to respond to crisis intervention.
• Complete monthly reports and submit to Director, assist in grant writing when appropriate.
• Assist in providing on-going education about child abuse and sexual assault services, act as a community liaison and representative of the agency.
• Adhere to the employment, grievance, personnel policies, and procedures.
• Participate in the upkeep and cleaning of the office areas.
• Comply with all grant requirements and project components.

Non-Essential Functions

• Perform other duties as assigned

Professional Requirements

• Maintain client confidentiality at all times
• Maintain professional attire.
• Complete continued education/training requirements
• Report to work on time and as scheduled
• Wear identification while on duty
• Maintain regulatory requirements, including all state, federal and local regulations
• Represent the organization in a positive and professional manner at all times
• Comply with all organizational policies and standards regarding ethical business practices
• Communicate the mission, ethics, and goals of the organization
• Participate in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement activities
• Attend staff meetings

Qualifications

• Background in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Criminal Justice or other related field; Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• Basic knowledge of sexual assault and survivor characteristics.
• Experience working with children and families where abuse and violence are identified issues.
• Professional experience with criminal justice or child welfare system.
• Experience with program development.
• Computer competency requirements include Microsoft Office, Outlook, online researching techniques and search engine utilization.
• Must complete or have completed a nationally recognized forensic interviewer training program and receive continuing education as available to maintain and enhance interviewing skills.
• Must complete Roosevelt General Hospital / Arise Sexual Assault Services 40 hour Sexual Assault Advocate training.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Must have an enthusiastic and positive attitude
• Possess a genuine desire to help victims of crime
• Ability to work independently, exercise creativity, be attentive to detail, and maintain a positive attitude
• Ability to manage multiple and simultaneous responsibilities and to prioritize duties/tasks
• Ability to initiate communication with clients, their families, and other visitors
• Must have excellent customer service and communication skills with the ability to effectively calm patients and be able to deal with distressed and/or agitated clients and their families
• Must have a professional demeanor and excellent public relations skills
• Willingness to develop or improve public speaking skills
• Must have excellent written skills

Physical Requirements and Environmental Conditions

• Work is performed during regular work hours, but may require overtime and/or weekend hours to meet deadlines
• Work in varying degrees of temperature (heated or air conditioned)
• Work under extreme pressure
• Position requires sitting for approximately 4-6 hours per day and walking for 2 hours per day
• Position requires light to moderate work with 50 pounds maximum weight to lift and carry
• Position requires reaching, bending, stooping, and handling objects with hands and/or fingers, talking and/or hearing, and seeing