Children's Advocacy Center Manager/Forensic Interviewer

Position: Children's Advocacy Center Manager/Forensic Interviewer (Non-Union Position)

Reports to: Executive Director

Job Type: Full-time, (40-hours per week), with additional on call hours as assigned

Classification: Salary Exempt
Pay: $60,000

Location: Hybrid (in-person & remote) Alfred, ME with occasional travel to Cumberland County

Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine (SARSSM) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization providing

free, confidential services to people impacted by sexual violence, child sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and trafficking since 1973. We are committed to being anti-racist, inclusive, and diverse across all levels of the organization. We seek to hire staff whose lived experiences and identities reflect the vibrant communities we serve. SARSSM's work spans intervention, prevention, and community engagement. Our Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) provides multidisciplinary coordination and advocacy during criminal and/or child protective investigations of child sexual abuse.

SARSSM is an open union shop and is committed to positive, equitable employment practices.

We offer:
• Generous paid time off
• Professional development opportunities
• 403(b) with employer match
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance

POSITION OVERVIEW: The Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) Manager oversees daily operations of the CAC, supervises staff, conducts forensic interviews with children, and coordinates the Multi-Disciplinary Team. This role ensures that the program meets state and national standards, manages reporting and documentation, and keeps all protocols up to date. The Program Manager will also act as a Forensic Interviewer, responsible for conducting forensic interviews of children when there has been a suspicion of abuse. This role works closely with child protective services, law enforcement personnel, prosecutors and victim witness advocates, and community stakeholders. The Program Manager must have completed a nationally accredited child forensic interview training. This position reports directly to the Executive Director.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Program Operations & Compliance

• Develop, implement, and administer policies and protocols that are necessary for the effective operation of the Children's Advocacy Center of York County and to meet state, Coalition, funder, and National Children's Alliance Accreditation Standards.
• Ensure CAC operations and practices remain aligned with the written CACYC protocols, in addition to state and national standards.
• Develop and maintain data collection and reporting systems and prepare monthly/annual and grant-required program reports.
• Coordinate the National Children's Alliance (NCA) Accreditation application process with the Executive Director.
• Maintain strict adherence to CAC and MDT confidentiality protocols, including all requirements outlined in CACYC policies and agreements.

Forensic Interviewing

• Conduct neutral fact-finding interviews with children ages 4-18 years of age or adults that have been deemed to have an equivalent of this age group who are referred
• Coordinate and conduct team pre-meeting, recorded interview of the client, and team post-meeting with the participation of the multidisciplinary investigative team.
• Provide court testimony as a lay and/or expert witness pursuant to subpoena.
• Provide quality assurance oversight of forensic interviewing practice within the CAC, including reviewing interview documentation, monitoring forensic interview trends, and ensuring adherence to NCA standards.
• Support training and development of additional or future forensic interviewers, including shadowing, feedback, and case review participation.
• Regularly engage in statewide peer review and CAC case review.

Staff Leadership

• Provide direct supervision to the CAC Family Advocate, including regular check-ins, performance evaluations, workflow oversight, and coordination of advocacy practices within the CAC model.
• Lead new staff onboarding and ongoing training requirements to enter client information and activities in the client database and monitor accuracy of all database entries.
• Participate in relevant ongoing training to maintain and build skills, both regionally and nationally.
• Provide on-call coverage for the 24-hour crisis & support Helpline. Helpline duties include providing coverage for assigned shifts, on a rotation, with frequency of shifts dictated by staffing levels. Additional on-call stipend available.

Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Coordination & Facilitation

• Facilitate, coordinate and schedule monthly Advisory Board and Case Review meetings for the CAC of York County (CACYC) Multi-Disciplinary Team (District Attorney's offices, law enforcement agencies, Child Protective Services, mental health professionals, medical professionals, and other community agencies).
• Oversee MDT case flow and Family Advocate duties, including tracking referrals, gathering pre-interview information, confirming partner attendance, and ensuring post-interview follow-up tasks are assigned and communicated.
• Facilitate communication and conflict resolution practices among MDT members to ensure timely sharing of updates, case status changes, and partner requests.

• Onboard new MDT members to orient them to CAC protocols, expectations, and case coordination procedures.

• Ensure MDT operations and documentation meet NCA standards, including monitoring MDT participation and engagement trends and identify gaps to recommend improvements to strengthen overall team functioning.

Training & Community Partnerships

• Provide training to community partners.
• Support SARSSM and CAC outreach, awareness, and fundraising efforts.

• Network with state and national organizations addressing child sexual abuse, commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) and trafficking.
• Maintain strong working relationships with statewide CAC partners and the Maine Network of CACs to ensure alignment on protocol, best practices, and accreditation expectations.

QUALIFICATIONS: There are many paths into this work. If you bring a combination of relevant experience, leadership capacity, and a commitment to high-quality CAC practice-even if your background looks a little different-we encourage you to apply.

• Active NCA Child Forensic Interviewer credential.
• A bachelor's degree and/or professional experience that aligns with the job requirements in human services, child welfare, social work, victim services, or other related fields, 3-5 years of work experience in these fields preferred.
• Understanding of impact of child abuse on children, child development stages, and rapport building with children.
• Sensitivity to and knowledge of sexual violence and trauma
• Experience working with all or some of the following systems: child protective services, law enforcement, social services, or legal services.

• Experience and skill at public speaking, leading meetings, & working with multidisciplinary teams
• Excellent computer skills, as well as skills with other forms of technology and communication
• Bilingual or multilingual preferred
• Post-hire, the ability to complete a 40-hour sexual assault advocate training, mandated reporter, & a 10-hour support group facilitator training.
• Access to reliable transportation with applicable insurance with current, valid driver's license or State ID.
• Ability to travel locally, with regular on-call evening & weekend shifts as necessary.

Employment is conditional upon successful clearance of background screening including Child Abuse Registry, Maine Criminal and Federal Fingerprinting.

SARSSM is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will consider all qualified individuals, regardless of race, sex, gender identity/expression, language, religion, political affiliation, age, socio-economic status, physical appearance and abilities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their role.

In support of our values, SARSSM strives to ensure accurate, ethical, and equitable policies and practices. We believe in regular assessment, reflection, and the pursuit of growth, whether on the individual level or as an organization.

The above is intended to describe the essential responsibilities, required skills, and minimum qualifications for the role. Additional duties as directed by the Executive Director may be assigned.

To apply, https://sarssm.bamboohr.com/careers

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