Forensic Interviewer

WAYNE COUNTY CHILDREN’S ADVOCACY CENTER, INC. (WCCAC) is an independent nonprofit organization looking to fill a new position of a full-time Forensic Interviewer. The WCCAC is a child-oriented facility, which serves as a centralized location for interviewing and examining children who are victims of sexual abuse and serious physical abuse. The children are interviewed by specially trained forensic interviewers in a child-friendly environment and the medical exams are performed by specially trained medical personnel. The cases are managed by a multidisciplinary task force comprised of those interviewers, county prosecutors, law enforcement officers, mental health workers, victim advocates, medical professionals, and clinical staff. Members of the task force team help the child and family cope with the abuse and begin the recovery process. 

The Forensic Interviewer reports to the WCCAC Associate Director/Forensic Interviewer and Executive Director. This is a social services position with responsibility for interviewing kids about sexual abuse, physical abuse, witness to violence or some other trauma event, working with a multi-disciplinary team and testifying in court. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

1.      Conduct Forensic Interviews that are neutral and non-leading, with children ages 2-17, who have experienced abuse and/or trauma events. 

2.      Complete Interview Summaries and provide those to partner agencies.

3.      Maintain case records and input case information in the agency database.

4.      Attend Multi-disciplinary Team Meetings and provide details about the interview.

5.      Attend monthly Forensic Interview Peer Review.

6.      Attend Continuing Education Trainings for Forensic Interviewing, Child Abuse and Investigations.

7.      Read studies on current Forensic Interview trends.

8.      Respond to subpoenas and testify in court as requested.

9.      Court Prep with the Prosecutor’s office for Trials

10.   Consult with agency attorney as needed.

11.   Provide back up to the Case Manager for scheduling, database input and facilitating appointments.

12.   Participate in supervision.

13.   Participate in agency activities and community activities with funders as a representative of the agency.

14.   Conduct community prevention training and CAC 101 trainings to MDT partners.

15.   Build professional relationships with MDT partners.

16.   Willing to take after-hour emergency calls when necessary.

17.   Perform other duties as requested.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

1.      Minimum Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or related field, plus two years of experience working with children and families.

2.      Working knowledge, experience and expertise in child sexual abuse, physical abuse, family violence and trauma.

3.      Knowledge of suggestibility, memory, styles of questioning, language acquisition, developmental issues and validity of allegations and competency requirements.

4.      Trained in specialized Forensic Interviews or training will be provided.

5.      Good organizational, writing and listening skills.

6.      Successful completion of a background check. 

WORK HOURS/BENEFITS:

1.      Monday-Friday 8-5 (flexibility) and after hours/weekend for emergency cases

2.      Paid Time Off, 11 Paid Holidays, Simple IRA with Employer Match, Healthcare Stipend and Flexible Spending

APPLICANTS:

To apply for this position, please submit a resume with three references and a one-page cover letter by 5pm on September 6, 2024 to:

Wayne County Children’s Advocacy Center, Inc.

ATTN: Michelle Saurer, Associate Director/Forensic Interviewer

1734 Gasche Street

Wooster OH 44691

michellesaurer@waynecac.org