Forensic Interviewer

Title: Forensic Interview Specialist (Full-time Position)

Supervised By: Executive Director

Summary: The Forensic Interviewer is charged with conducting child interviews with alleged victims of or child witnesses to sexual abuse or severe physical abuse, using an approved Forensic Interview Protocol. 

Requirements and Qualifications

1.     Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s in a field related to social science, education, criminal justice, childhood development, or psychology.

2.     Experience equivalent to three years of full-time professional work in one or a combination of the following: Child protective services, criminal justice, clinical evaluation, forensic interviewing, or other comparable work with children. 

3.     No Criminal history as determined through criminal records background check.

Skills and Knowledge Required

1.     Demonstrated professional knowledge of child abuse and neglect and child development through course work, professional training, or higher education.

2.     A working knowledge of the criminal justice system and legal proceedings is encouraged.

3.     Must be able to work in a multi-disciplinary team fashion.

4.     Capable of completing stressful tasks in a timely and accurate manner.

Duties and Responsibilities

1.      Meeting the requirements for conducting child forensic interviews.

a.     Following the forensic interview protocol

b.     Identifying & Prioritizing cases that require a forensic interview.

c.     Scheduling interviews to provide a coordinated multidisciplinary response.

d.     Coordinating interviews with law enforcement and/or child protective service investigators

e.     Utilizing the standardized forensic interviewer report form

f.       Participating in pertinent court proceedings

g.     Required Forensic Interview Reporting

h.     Required Data Collection

i.       Participation in the Multidisciplinary Team

j.       Abiding by the mandates of Tennessee code Annotated 37-1-607 and 37-10-101

k.     Any other job duties as assigned by the Executive Director

2.     Fulfilling continuing education and evaluation requirements, such as:

a.     Attending a minimum of forty (40) hours of specialize pre-service child forensic interview training approved by the Training Division of the National Children’s Advocacy Center

b.     Completing fifteen (15) hours of continuing education training pertaining to child abuse and neglect during each fiscal year.

c.     Attending periodic meetings of child forensic interview from and throughout Tennessee for peer review and to discuss new research on child abuse and/or child development

d.     Training and/or providing consultation to other professionals in the performance of child interviewing techniques and current research and controversies relevant to court testimony.

e.     Submitting to evaluations based on the following criteria: topics of training sessions attended; challenges and accomplishments; methods of attaining community involvement; goals for the next fiscal year; and statistical information used for compiling and interpreting data, including child interviews, case observations, case staffing, and child protective investigative team meeting attended. 

f.       Complying with the clinical supervision provided by the center, including live observations and feedback at least quarterly.

3.     Acting as a concerned and responsible center employee and cpit member, involving:

a.     Using the necessary equipment provided by the UCCAC in a reasonable, ethical, and appropriate manner. 

b.     Acting accordance with confidentiality policies practiced by the UCCAC.

c.     Disengaging from therapeutic treatment services for clients.

d.     Participating in peer review assessments and supervisory evaluations

e.     Attending and participating in CPIT meetings

f.       Working to minimize redundant interviewing

g.     Maintaining up-to-date knowledge about community resources.

h.     Performing other duties as needed at the request of the Executive Director

Or other staff members.