Forensic Interviewer, Therapist, & Family Advocate
Company Description
The Cottage Sexual Assault Center & Children's Advocacy Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to raising awareness and supporting the healing of individuals, families, and communities affected by sexual violence and child abuse. Based in Athens-Clarke County, The Cottage provides free and confidential services staffed by professional social workers. The organization guides survivors and their families through the legal system and the trauma of abuse. The Cottage welcomes individuals of all genders, sexual orientations, races, religions, or immigration statuses to access its resources.
Role Description
This is a full-time, on-site role located in Athens, GA. The Forensic Interviewer, Therapist and Advocate’s main responsibilities are providing Forensic Interviews, Victim Assistance Program (VAP) Counseling, and Family Advocacy.
Forensic Interviewer : The Forensic Interviewer is responsible for conducting forensic interviews of children for Clarke County per the request of Law Enforcement, Department of Family and Child Services (DFCS), and/ or the District Attorney’s Office. This position is responsible for maintaining effective relationships with partner agencies and assisting with the Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings.
Therapist: The Therapist involves providing VAP services and counseling to children.
Family Advocate: Family Advocacy involves speaking to caregivers and providing support and resources before, during, and after the forensic interview/forensic medical exam. This role is responsible for the facilitation of the forensic interview process.
This is a full-time position with full health and dental insurance benefits (excluding vision) along with a retirement package and flexible spending account for health care and dependent care. This position will occasionally need to respond via phone during nights/weekends to provide guidance for The Cottage 24/7 crisis hotline and Accompaniment Advocates. This position is supervised by the Director of the Children’s Advocacy Center.
Salary Range: 50-55K annually
Applicants must hold a Master’s Degree in Social Work and/or some other related field/work experience. Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish is preferred. The Cottage seeks to maintain and improve our services for all survivors regardless of gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, race, color, socio-economic status, religion, age, ability, and national origin/immigration status.
If interested, please email a cover letter, resume, and contact information for 2-3 professional references to Annelise Allgood at annelise@northgeorgiacottage.org
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. For priority consideration, please submit your application by March 1st.
Duties and Tasks of Position:
Forensic Interviewing:
Direct Service
• Conduct Forensic Interviews of children & adolescents during regular work hours (Monday-Friday between 8am-5pm).
• Be available to conduct forensic interviews of children after hours when needed using ChildFirst Protocol
• Enter all conducted/attempted forensic interviews into Child Services Database
Court Testimony
• Provide court testimony in Juvenile Court and Superior Court
• Receive proper supervision and guidance while preparing for court
• Document each subpoena received
• Assist the lead forensic interviewer with all other forensic interview related duties
Family Advocacy
• Call caregivers prior to the forensic interview and/or forensic medical exam to explain the process and answer questions
• Pass along any relevant information to the forensic interview/forensic medical exam investigative team
• Complete intake paperwork with the caregiver prior to the forensic interview.
• Facilitating forensic interview and forensic medical exam process at the Family Protection Center (i.e. coordinating with investigative team, troubleshooting issues during interview/exam, etc.)
• Provide advocacy, support and resources to caregivers
• Follow-up with caregivers after the forensic interview/forensic medical exam. This can include answering questions, counseling/groups referrals, and referrals for other resources
• Assist in intern training so that they may be able to provide family advocacy
Therapy
• Provide VAP counseling services, with a client load of 1-3 clients at a time
• Assist with support group facilitation as needed
Administration
• Fulfill all documentation duties for the forensic interview process
• Complete relevant documentation (i.e. Collaborate, Family Advocacy and VAP stats excel sheets) for every family advocacy and VAP client
• Work with the Director of the Children’s Advocacy Center when there is a need for updates in policy and procedure development
• Attend and facilitate as needed monthly MDT meetings for Clarke County.
• Attend and participate in weekly child services meetings
• Participate in weekly DYAD meeting with the clinical team
• Attend and participate in monthly TF-CBT peer review meetings
• Attend and participate in monthly Forensic Interview peer review meetings
• Enter all conducted/attempted forensic interviews into Child Services MDT List Excel
• Accept and review Green Files to ensure all documentation has been completed (FI excel, FA excel, Collaborate, MDT, and Billing)
• Burn FI discs as requested for investigative parties
Technology
• Coordinate with IT Team and partner agencies regarding maintenance and troubleshooting of recording equipment and other technology
Billing
• Complete and submit billing applications to CJCC
• Submit any requested documentation to CJCC (i.e. interviewer training documentation, FIFC forms, etc.)
Office Duties
• Fulfill general office maintenance
• Remain cross trained for adult services
• Participate in weekly staff meetings and support
• Act as 24/7 hotline back-up in rotation with other staff
• Assist with Cottage Hotline Volunteer Training and Intern Training periodically
• Assist with cleaning duties and sanitation of offices spaces
• And any other tasks/duties that may be needed
Professional Development
• Attend and participate in monthly regional peer review
• Attend and participate in monthly supervision
• Continue ongoing supervision and professional development with the Director of the Children’s Advocacy Center
• Attend trainings relevant to the field of forensic interviewing
• Keep up to date with research and best practices in the field of forensic interviewing
• Attend trainings relevant to all job roles at The Cottage
Supervisory Responsibilities : This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.
Required Skills / Experience :
• A Masters level of education is required for this position in a related field to social work or equivalent work experience
• Experience in working with trauma survivors, specifically related to child abuse is highly recommended.
• Experience observing forensic interviews of children in some capacity is preferred
• Experience in conducting Forensic Interviews of children is preferred
• Training specific to forensic interviewing is required if one has experience in conducting forensic interviews of children
• Training in Child First, specifically, is preferred to conduct forensic interviews in the state of Georgia.
• Understanding and ability to uphold confidentiality of all clients
Desired Skills/Experience :
• Bilingual in Spanish and able to provide culturally competent services to clients who identify as Latinx/Hispanic
• Experience in Direct Service work with survivors of child abuse
• Administrative/ clerical experience recommended but not required
• Good technological skills (for working with forensic interview equipment)
• Public Speaking skills (for court purposes and MDT meetings)
• A connection to the community that is being served
• Understanding of the criminal justice system
• Understanding of the effects of trauma on an individual and with groups of individuals
• Communication and relationship building skills
• Organizational skills
• Time management Skills
• Ability to give and receive self-care
• Ability to work with all persons (clients and professionals) regardless of their culture, identity, or values
• Ability to be assertive and to take initiative
• Strong writing skills for the purposes of summarizing forensic interviews
• An ability to think and work well under pressure
• Ability to work collaboratively with others
• Licensure in relevant fields (LMSW, LCSW, LPC, etc.)
Physical Demands :
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to see, sit, talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee may occasionally be required to bend, stoop and/or kneel. The employee is required to stand, walk, and drive or ride in a motor vehicle. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 lbs. The employee must have the ability to travel. The employee must be able to provide after-hours support and/or weekend assistance as needed. The employee must be comfortable with public communication, such as public speaking.
Work Environment :
This job operates in a clerical, office setting. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones (cell phones), photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. Occasional work outdoors may be required. Work environment can also include offices, Family Protection Center, Hospitals, Law Enforcement/Sheriff Office, Jail/Prison, other community agency buildings and virtual video meetings (zoom). Personal vehicles may be necessary to transport between locations needed for work. Personal cell phones may be necessary for communication with staff, clients, and partner agencies. Virtual work (working from home) can be done with impending deadlines, illness of dependents, and emergency closings of the office.
Mental Health Care
Administrative
Full-time