Job Title:     Child and Family Advocate/Forensic Interviewer 

Function:     The Child and Family Advocate/Forensic Interviewer will be responsible for providing advocacy to victims of child abuse and their non

                    offending caregivers and/or conducting forensic interviews of victims of child abuse.

Reports to:  Harbor House Executive Director

Required Qualifications:   

Bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology, social work, public health, or related field.

Competent knowledge and understanding of trauma associated with child abuse.

Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

Excellent computer skills and data management skills.

Outgoing, results-oriented work style with high attention to detail.

No criminal convictions of child abuse or violent crimes.

Desired Qualifications:       

Previous work experience in social services or mental health fields.

Experience as a Family or Victim Advocate.

Experience with Collaborate database.

Upon hire, the candidate is expected to complete a 40-hour nationally recognized forensic interview training course as well as a nationally recognized course in victim advocacy or provide proof of prior training that is still active.

Position Responsibilities:

1. Manage intakes of referrals and scheduling forensic interviews.
2. Create client files and input client data into Collaborative database, maintain accurate case tracking database.
3. Provide crisis intervention to child victims and their non-offending caregivers.
4. Communicate with caregivers to provide information on the center, forensic interview, and appointment details as well as addressing any concerns.
5. Coordinate client referrals to appropriate services and community resources.
6. Provide clients with information on the Georgia Crime Victims Compensation Program and The Victims Bill of Rights and assist clients with completing applications for the Georgia Crime Victims Compensation Program.
7. Greet clients and their families at the center, orient them to the waiting room, and ensure they are comfortable, and their needs are met while at the center.
8.  Provide supervision to children and non-offending caregivers during their time at the center.
9. Act as a liaison between the child, caregiver, law enforcement, medical personnel, and other multidisciplinary team (MDT) partner agencies.
10. Collaborate with the MDT Coordinator to manage agendas for the MDT case review meetings and add case updates from partners to the Collaborative database.
11. Attend Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) meetings (Floyd County and Polk County) and participate in discussions regarding the implementation of intervention services for victims and their families.
12. Distribute and collect Caregiver Follow-up Surveys.
13. Answer phone calls and messages received by the Center.
14. Conduct videotaped forensic interviews of children alleged to be victims of abuse, in coordination with investigative agencies and the specific County’s Child Abuse Protocol.
15. Use non-leading, research-based practices contained in a nationally recognized model for forensic interviews, collaborating with MDT partners to ensure interviews are thorough, developmentally appropriate, legally sound, and neutral. Please note that an interviewer will not serve as an advocate for the victims they interview.
16. Participate in formalized, ongoing forensic interview peer review in accordance with The Children’s Advocacy Centers of Georgia (CACGA) standards, The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) Standards, The National Children’s Alliance (NCA) Standards, The Floyd County Child Abuse Protocol, and the Tallapoosa Judicial Circuit Child Abuse Protocol.
17. Maintain ongoing training relevant to advocacy, forensic interviewing, and child abuse in accordance with The Children’s Advocacy Centers of Georgia (CACGA) standards, The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) Standards, The National Children’s Alliance (NCA) Standards, The Floyd County Child Abuse Protocol, and the Tallapoosa Judicial Circuit Child Abuse Protocol.  
18. On-call on the 24hr response phone for one week every four weeks.
19. Participate in outreach events in Floyd County and Polk County.
20. Participate in agency fundraising events, campaigns, and efforts.
21. Deliver all services in a culturally competent manner, tailoring each client’s experience to their cultural needs, preferences, and practices.
22. Participate as a member of the Harbor House team by demonstrating a willingness to share responsibilities as needed, providing flexibility in personal scheduling, and committing to and participating in the mission of the organization.
23. Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Executive Director.

Applicants who are interested in this position and who possess the minimum requirements should submit via email:  1) a letter of interest (cover letter) and 2) a resume (with references listed) to lauren@harborhousega.org, with the subject line ‘Advocate/Forensic Interviewer Position’

Harbor House is committed to providing equal opportunity in its recruitment, hiring and employment practices without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, disability, sex, sexual orientation, age, military status, veteran status, or status in any group protected by federal, state, and local law. Harbor House is committed to a diverse workforce.