Job description

The Crisis Center
Job Title: Bilingual Family Advocate/ Forensic Interviewer
Department: Children’s Advocacy Center
Location: Bay City
Reports To: Program Manage
FLSA Status: Hourly, Non- Exempt

Position Summary: Provide comprehensive victim support services to children who are victims/ witnesses of child abuse and/ or neglect and their non-offending family members/ caregivers OR collaborate with law enforcement and DFPS to conduct forensic interviews of children who are victims/ witnesses of child abuse.

Family Advocate Duties & Responsibilities:

• Serve as the liaison between Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) clients and other members of the multidisciplinary team (MDT)
• Greet children and their non-offending caregivers upon arrival to the CAC and provide orientation
• Assist non-offending caregivers with the intake process- paperwork, explanation of services and assessment of needs for resources/ referrals
• Provide crisis intervention services as needed and in accordance with agency protocols
• Meet with non-offending caregivers to assess each family’s unmet needs and make appropriate referrals to social service agencies
• Provide information to non-offending caregivers about the coordinated MDT response to allegations of child abuse
• Educate non-offending caregivers about the dynamics of child abuse, as appropriate
• Provide information to non-offending caregivers about the availability of mental health services for eligible clients and make referrals in accordance with agency protocol
• Assist with the scheduling of medical exams for child clients referred by the MDT
• Accompany victim(s) and non-offending caregiver(s) to medical exams while providing crisis intervention
• Attend and participate in MDT meetings, case review and other work-related meetings
• Coordinate with the District Attorney’s office to provide court orientation and accompaniment to children and families when cases are being prepared for trial
• Provide on-going, follow-up support services to families throughout the life of the case
• Track and input therapy services into online database and for finance office
• Maintain accurate documentation of all client contact in service logs, case tracking spreadsheet and online database
• Ensure each family who receives services completes an initial and follow-up Outcome Measurement System Survey and document appropriately
• Maintain communication with the District Attorney’s Office to track judicial case dispositions as well as obtaining case docket information to identify cases set for trial
• Monitor play area and activities
• Ensure both play area and work spaces are kept in a clean and organized manner
• Provide Spanish translation services
• Participate in regional and internal peer review
• Participate in monthly/ quarterly and annual evaluations with direct supervisor
• Assist in yearly child abuse awareness event(s) in April and any other special projects as assigned
• Provide every family with Crime Victims’ Rights information, a list of community resources and a Crime’s Victim’s Rights Application and/ or coordinate with appropriate victim’s liaison in this effort
• Provide accompaniment for the victim and family for court, and any other legal appointments
• Develop and maintain community resource guide for Matagorda County
• Participate in community resource groups
• Attend, at a minimum, one conference a year if funding is available
• Attend CACTX core curriculum training for family advocates

Forensic Interviewer Duties & Responsibilities:

• Schedule and conduct interviews in accordance with working protocols
• Conduct interviews in English and Spanish
• Provide translation services during forensic interviews
• Assess children’s cognitive and linguistic abilities as well as non-verbal communication
• Foster an environment that is sensitive to a child’s cognitive, emotional and psychological development, without leading a child in questioning
• Testify as a witness in civil and criminal trials regarding forensic interviews and child development
• Create and deliver DVDs of forensic interviews to partners
• Fulfill agency training requirements as outlined in MDT Working Protocols and meet or exceed the training requirements set forth in CACTX Standards
• Attend and participate in MDT Meetings, case review, and other work-related meetings
• Participate in regional and internal forensic interview peer review
• Attend CACTX core curriculum training for forensic interviewers

Other Duties:

Performs other job-related duties as assigned. In accordance with the team philosophy of the agency, may routinely be required to carry out or assist with other tasks in addition to the duties listed above. Act in accordance with the agency's mission statement and goals.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience

A Bachelor’s Degree in Health and Human Services, Social Work, Psychology or related field is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the dynamics of child abuse, the criminal justice system and other related issues;
• Demonstrate understanding and sensitivity to the needs of child abuse victims and their non-offending caregivers;
• Ability to respond to and handle crisis situations;
• Ability to evaluate and interpret information and render non-judgmental and non-discriminatory decisions;
• Ability to maintain client confidentiality
• Establish and maintain open communication and healthy relationships with clients, Crisis Center staff, contractors, and MDT and community partners
• Thorough understanding of all roles within the CAC
• Stay abreast of current research in the child abuse field
• Desirable personal qualities include: tact, decision making skills, strong organizational skills, intuitive, flexible, proactive, self-driven, positive attitude, high ethical standards, and an ability to get along with professionals from various disciplines.
• Passion for the mission and philosophy of The Crisis Center, along with the knowledge of the agency’s history, culture, identity and goals;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and data management environments.

Language Skills

Ability to read, and interpret documents such as operating manuals, government grant policies, and professional journals in English and Spanish. Ability to write routine reports, correspondence and appropriate notes in English and Spanish. Ability to speak effectively before groups of clients and community members in English and Spanish.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Certifications, Licenses, Registrations

Current Texas Driver's License and proof of current auto liability insurance required. Ability to drive day and nighttime hours required.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Frequent prolonged sitting, walking, stooping, standing, stair-climbing and lifting of up to 20 pounds. Must be able to drive day time and night time hours.

Working Conditions:

Duties are usually performed seated with occasional periods of standing or walking. Limited physical effort is required associated with lifting and carrying objects (less than 25 lbs). Work may be performed but is not limited to an office environment.

Other Information:

• Travel is occasionally required
• This position involves an on-call rotation and after-hours services
• Employment is dependent upon the successful completion of a background check, including criminal and CPS clearance.

This job description is not intended to be all inclusive. It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirements of this position. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this job description. The Crisis Center reserves the right to revise or change job duties as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $19.00 - $23.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• On call

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Language:

• Spanish (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Preferred)

Work Location: One location

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