Program Manager - Forensic Interview

Description

Who We Are

Project Harmony exists to provide effective, immediate and sensitive support to child abuse victims and their non-offending family members. Project Harmony is committed to a vision with a focus on one goal: ending the cycle of child abuse and neglect. Project Harmony is one of the largest Child Advocacy Centers in the nation.

At Project Harmony, we don't just accept difference - we celebrate it, we support it and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, our clients and our community. Project Harmony is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national original, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.

Our Culture

At Project Harmony, we are committed to building a team of dedicated, compassionate professionals who are supportive of our culture:

We are all Project Harmony: Project Harmony exists because of the unique collaboration of community partners, dedicated to ending child abuse and neglect. Our strength lies in our people, their ideas, their differences, their diverse talents and perspectives.

We bring our best everyday: Project Harmony consists of experts, problem solvers and visionaries dedicated to promoting creativity and innovation. We demonstrate personal integrity and maintain a high standard of ethical behavior. Project Harmony is dedicated to fostering a learning environment where all members of the collaborative process can flourish.

When it comes to children, we don't compromise: Children come first in all that we do. Project Harmony provides a safe place where children have the courage to use their voices - a place where healing begins. Because of Project Harmony's coordination of care, children entering Project Harmony go from crisis to courage. Our vision reimagines the system to make it work best for all involved, especially the child.

This position is responsible for conducting legally sound, recorded interviews of children suspected to have been abused, neglected, or witness to violence. It is further responsible for providing assessments and therapeutic and educational services to children and families impacted by abuse/neglect at the Child Advocacy Center (CAC).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Hire and orient Forensic Interviewers.

• Supervise Forensic Interviewers, including providing and receiving feedback and completing performance reviews.

• Provide forensic interviews to alleged child abuse victims of abuse, neglect or witness to violence as needed.

• Adjust Forensic Interviewer staffing as necessary to sustain referrals.

• Develop policies and procedures related to the operations of the forensic interview team.

• Ensure compliance with NCA Standards of Accreditation for forensic interviewers.

• Facilitate pre-interview meeting with investigators to review current allegation(s), relevant history, living situation, relationship to alleged offender, etc.

• Meet with non-offending caregiver prior to interview to discuss nature of allegations, circumstances surrounding the disclosure, family composition, social history, developmental and cultural considerations, etc. and to answer any questions about the forensic interview process.

• Facilitate a post-interview meeting with multidisciplinary team to review details gathered in forensic interview and discuss follow-up.

• Document each forensic interview conducted utilizing Project Harmony databases.

• Develop, monitor, and implement documentation accuracy in Project Harmony databases.

• Conduct regular Forensic Interview Peer Review with local peers, Nebraska State Chapter Child Advocacy Center's (CAC's) and with Midwest Region CAC's.

• Prepare for all court proceedings and provide expert testimony.

• Rotate 24/7 on-call responsibilities.

• Ensure staff collaboration with medical providers, family advocates, mental health therapists, coordinators and other agency staff and partners.

• Collaborate with other agencies and service providers, including case managers, to advocate on behalf of clients.

• Participate in consultation and supervision sessions as required.

• Collect statistics and implement Continuous Quality Improvement procedures.

• Conduct and attend team meetings.

• Develop and present evidence-based trainings as requested.

• Maintain and adjust caseloads for staff.

• Ensures culturally competent services are provided without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, disability, gender or sexual orientation.

• Perform other program related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education and Training

• Master's degree from an accredited college in Counseling, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, or related field.

• Training and/or experience in forensic interviewing of children who have experienced abuse, neglect or other forms of trauma.

• Extensive training/experience in child welfare and juvenile justice system..

Work Experience

• Previous professional experience related to the investigation and prosecution of child abuse cases.

• Previous experience in working as part of a multidisciplinary team.

• Previous experience in interviewing children, particularly about difficult topics.

• Experience testifying in court on child welfare matters.

• Previous experience working with youth and families impacted by physical and emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, violence or other trauma related experiences.

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge and understanding of the forensic interview process including issues of language, memory and suggestibility and current legal challenges in the field.

• Knowledge and understanding of family violence and the dynamics of child abuse and neglect.

• Knowledge and understanding of child development and the impact of trauma.

• Ability to testify effectively in civil and criminal court proceedings.

• Demonstrate effective listening and communication (verbal and written) skills.

• Demonstrate problem solving skills and ability to resolve conflicts.

• Computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft Word, Access and Outlook.

• Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team and collaborate with a wide range of professionals including law enforcement, social services, medical, mental health providers and attorneys.

• Ability to listen to ideas and accept feedback from others.

• Ability to be flexible and adjust to a quickly changing schedule and handle distractions, interruptions and stressful situations.

• Ability to be organized and attend to details.

• Must possess time management skills.

• Must respect and maintain confidentiality.

• Demonstrated understanding of and ability to work with persons of diverse cultural backgrounds.

• Commitment to the mission of Project Harmony.

Other

• Must be willing to work flexible hours and work on-call shifts with 24/7 availability.

• Must submit to a thorough criminal history background check.

• Must possess the ability to pass a fingerprint clearance.

• Must have access to a vehicle, possess a valid Nebraska driver's license and proof of insurance.

• Position involves some travel, primarily within the state

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities associated with it.