Substitute Forensic Interviewer/Family Advocate
About The Position
Substitute Forensic Interviewer/Family Advocate Help children and youth be heard. Support families through crisis. Make a difference. The Substitute Child Forensic Interviewer & Family Advocate position at Southeast Alaska Family Evaluation Child Advocacy Center (SAFE CAC) is a unique, dual-role position. This position is called upon when needed as a relief worker, to provide forensic interviewing and trauma-informed family advocacy to children and caregivers as part of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) response to allegations of child maltreatment. What You Will Do Conduct neutral, developmentally appropriate, legally defensible recorded forensic interviews using the ChildFirst® protocol Provide trauma-informed advocacy and case support Coordinate with law enforcement, child protection, medical providers, prosecutors, and other MDT partners Provide court testimony Complete required training and ongoing professional development Participate in occasional after-hours/on-call role Skills and Abilities We Are Looking For Experience in child protection, social work, behavioral health, forensic interviewing, or a related field required Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, counseling, criminal justice, law enforcement, or similar (preferred) Strong understanding of child development; child abuse and neglect; social determinants of health; and the impact of disabilities, substance use, mental illness, and other factors on children and families. Ability to manage emotionally charged situations with professionalism and compassion Cultural responsiveness and commitment to serving diverse populations Excellent communication skills Ability to work collaboratively within an MDT Flexibility with being called occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays. Training & Requirements Previous 40-hour ChildFirst® Forensic Interview Protocol certification and prior experience conducting interviews required. 24-hour Advocacy Training (or completion upon hire) Up to eight (8) hours of paid victim advocacy and child maltreatment and/or forensic interviewing training every two years. An online ChildFirst refresher course may be used to fulfill the requirement for forensic interviewers, if available within a month of hire. Participation in two forensic interview peer reviews per year. Valid Alaska driver’s license, reliable transportation, and current auto insurance Ability to pass a background check per 7 AAC 10.905 (Barrier Crimes and Conditions) Why This Role Matters Be present for children during critical moments Support healing and stability for families Be part of a supportive, multidisciplinary team Receive specialized training and ongoing professional growth Do meaningful work that changes lives Ready to make a difference? Apply now and help us create a safer, healthier community for children and families! This position is a substitute employee working an irregular, as-needed schedule, on-site, starting wage $30-36/hour.
Requirements
- Experience in child protection, social work, behavioral health, forensic interviewing, or a related field required
- Strong understanding of child development; child abuse and neglect; social determinants of health; and the impact of disabilities, substance use, mental illness, and other factors on children and families.
- Ability to manage emotionally charged situations with professionalism and compassion
- Cultural responsiveness and commitment to serving diverse populations
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to work collaboratively within an MDT
- Flexibility with being called occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays.
- Previous 40-hour ChildFirst® Forensic Interview Protocol certification and prior experience conducting interviews required.
- 24-hour Advocacy Training (or completion upon hire)
- Up to eight (8) hours of paid victim advocacy and child maltreatment and/or forensic interviewing training every two years.
- An online ChildFirst refresher course may be used to fulfill the requirement for forensic interviewers, if available within a month of hire.
- Participation in two forensic interview peer reviews per year.
- Valid Alaska driver’s license, reliable transportation, and current auto insurance
- Ability to pass a background check per 7 AAC 10.905 (Barrier Crimes and Conditions)
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, counseling, criminal justice, law enforcement, or similar (preferred)
Responsibilities
- Conduct neutral, developmentally appropriate, legally defensible recorded forensic interviews using the ChildFirst® protocol
- Provide trauma-informed advocacy and case support
- Coordinate with law enforcement, child protection, medical providers, prosecutors, and other MDT partners
- Provide court testimony
- Complete required training and ongoing professional development
- Participate in occasional after-hours/on-call role
