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JOB TITLE: Advocate / Forensic Interview Specialist 

REPORTS TO: Program Coordinator and Executive Director

STATUS: Full Time (40-hours per week) including necessary on-call hours.

CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt

SALARY: $37,000 - $40,000 annually depending on experience

BENEFITS: Health, vision and dental insurance, Employee Assistance Program,  1 wellness day off per 8 weeks, 11 paid holidays per year, 4 weeks PTO per year.

PRIMARY OFFICE LOCATION: Fort Smith, Arkansas

ABOUT HAMILTON CENTER FOR CHILD ADVOCACY:

Since 2010, The Hamilton Center for Child Advocacy (formerly Hamilton House) has provided free comprehensive services to children affected by sexual abuse, or sexual assault, physical abuse, neglect and maltreatment through forensic interviews, advocacy, sexual assault medical exams, mental health therapy and follow-up services for children and non-offending caregivers..  The Hamilton Center provides multidisciplinary team coordination and advocacy services during criminal and/or child protective investigations of child sexual abuse. The Hamilton Center serves Crawford, Franklin, Logan, Scott and Sebastian Counties in Arkansas. 

JOB SUMMARY:

The Forensic Interview Specialist/Advocate is a dual role position. 

This person will conduct forensic interviews with children, adolescents, and developmentally delayed adults following an allegation of abuse, using research-based, best practice interview techniques. The Forensic interviews conducted will aid in child abuse investigations carried out by the Crimes Against Children Division of the Arkansas State Police,  Department of Children and Family Services, and various law enforcement agencies. 

As an advocate, this person will provide advocacy and case management services to child victims of abuse and their families.  The advocate assists with crisis intervention and makes referrals for families to appropriate social service organizations.  The advocate supports a family throughout a child abuse investigation, intake through disposition, and longer at times.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

INTERVIEWING

• Become trained in a nationally-recognized 40-hour model of forensic interviewing
• Conduct developmentally-appropriate, legally sound, neutral and non-leading interviews of children
• Facilitate pre- and post- interview meetings with investigators and other MDT members
• Remain current on research regarding interviewing, child abuse investigations, and disclosure of abuse
• Participate in quarterly Peer Review
• Testify in criminal, civil, or family court if subpoenaed

ADVOCACY

• Build rapport with children and families throughout the intake process
• Crisis assessment and intervention, risk assessment and safety planning
• Assessment of individual needs (food, shelter, etc.) and cultural considerations
• Provide necessary referrals for services based on intake 
• Conduct follow-up with family to include phone calls and home visits

MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAMWORK

• Develop and maintain relationships with law enforcement agencies, child protective services, the prosecuting attorney’s office and other service providers through on-going communication
• Attend monthly Case Review for Sebastian and Crawford Counties to discuss ongoing and/or challenging cases recently seen at HCCA. (Participate in other county’s case reviews as needed)
• Facilitate pre- and post-interview meetings to debrief with MDT members

EVALUATION & TRAINING

• Attend trainings and participate in professional development when necessary and available
• Participate in quarterly Peer Review
• Accept observation and critique in initial and occasional subsequent interviews

OTHER

• Complete Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas’ 40-hour advocate training
• Aid in projects as directed by HCCA Program Coordinator
• Participate in agency events and programs.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of the essential functions, responsibilities and/or requirements.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, criminal justice, or a related field preferred
• Must be able to successfully complete the 40 hour forensic interviewer training program within 90 days of employment
• An understanding of child abuse and its impact on children, child development stages, and rapport building with children
• Significant prior experience working with children and families
• 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, and working with multidisciplinary teams (MDTs)
• Sensitivity to and knowledge of sexual violence and trauma
• Knowledge of and appreciation for client-centered and trauma-informed services
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and sensitive information
• Knowledge of social justice, racism and oppression
• Ability to solve problems, appropriately address and resolve conflicts, and deal with a wide range of situations
• Ability to work well under pressure and maintain composure during stressful situations; ability to handle shifting and multiple priorities
• Ability to exercise good judgment when faced with complex decisions
• Must possess a positive and energetic attitude, with the ability to successfully work on a team and independently;
• Excellent listening and communication skills
• Excellent computer skills, as well as skills with other forms of technology and communication
• Must have full professional fluency (written and spoken) in English
• Willingness to work a non-traditional schedule, which will include occasional evenings and/or weekends/holidays
• Successful applicants must have reliable transportation and proof of updated auto insurance
• Must successfully pass state and federal criminal background checks
• Must successfully complete a forty-hour sexual assault advocate training

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working in crisis intervention and/or providing advocacy services
• Experience with online documentation, database systems, and use of Google applications
• Bilingual or multilingual preferred

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND ACCESS AT HCCA:

Hamilton Center for Child Advocacy is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. We are an equal opportunity employer, and encourage inquiries from candidates who will enrich and contribute to the cultural and ethnic diversity of our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, color, religion, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, veteran status, national origin, or disability status in employment or our programming. SARSSM is committed to maximizing the diversity of our organization and depends on staff from diverse identities and lived experiences to carry out our mission. Candidates from historically marginalized backgrounds strongly encouraged to apply.