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Forensic Interviewer - Odessa, TX

SUMMARY:

The Forensic Interviewer is responsible for conducting the interviews for Harmony Home. Works directly with child victims, their non-offending families, CPS, Law Enforcement, Distract Attorneys and the multi-disciplinary team members.   Will also complete data entry and serve in other positions as needed.

 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

  • Conduct interviews of alleged victims of child abuse and witnesses of violent crime from age 3-17 years of age. 

  • Foster an environment that is sensitive to a child cognitive, emotional and psychological development, without leading a child in questioning. 

  • Keep abreast of new research and developments in forensic interviewing of child abuse including training for and with other CACs when requested and available.

  • Use established protocol to conduct forensic interviews of children regarding possible sexual abuse, emotional abuse/neglect and severe physical abuse, as well as child witnesses to violent crime

  • Document intake and enter all information into Collaborate.

  • Prepare for court and provide expert testimony on child abuse dynamics and child interviews

  • Encourage strong relations among all agency personnel involved in testifying, especially in the District and County Attorneys’ Offices.

  • Serve as liaison between law enforcement, DA, CA, CPS and other community agencies in conjunction with other CAC staff.

  • Act as a liaison between client family and MDT in conjunction with other CAC staff.

  • Facilitate and organize intra-agency case staffing with Program Director as needed.

  • Attend community meetings and in-services, professional training and conferences as self-directed or requested.

·         Assess and complete child Sexual exploitation assessment (CSE-IT) tool as per policy.

·         Work with program team to initiate further program evaluation procedures.

  • Set up and properly store all case related information. Compile forms and statistical data for record management and tracking. Maintain case files in the tracking system including follow-up with regard to case disposition throughout civil and criminal processes. Update database as necessary.

  • Ensure all data is entered accurately, pull reports to ensure all data required is entered prior to turning in numbers to PD.

  • Share on-call rotation with other Forensic Interviewers for after-hours, evening, weekend and holiday forensic interviews.

  • All other duties assigned by the Executive Director.

 

REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor’s degree in related field, preferably in social work or criminal justice or related experience in child abuse child development. Must possess an understanding of child development, child sexual and physical abuse and forensic linguistics. Must possess an understanding of the law and the legal system and the implications related to interviewing children.


QUALIFICATIONS
Must have strong communication skills in interpersonal, written and multimedia vehicles. Must have experience working with diverse professionals from child protection, law enforcement, court system and related community services. Must have experience in needs assessment of victims and families and identification of appropriate referrals. Must be a team player. Must be organized and self-motivated.

LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read and interpret documents such as personnel policies, procedure manuals and operating instructions.  Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.  Ability to speak efficiently one-on-one with co-workers, internal and external customers and outside contractors and vendors.

   

Please send resumes to loralinda@hhcac.org

Intake Specialist - Odessa, TX

SUMMARY:

The Intake Specialist will support the MDT Coordinator to ensure all statewide intakes are being processed, investigated, and receiving the best possible outcomes related to the child and families being served at Harmony Home CAC. This person will help coordinate all cases meeting criteria for CAC services, neglect services and child pornography and human trafficking services with appropriate staff ensuring timely access to the full array of multi-disciplinary team and children’s advocacy centers services for all children within Harmony Home’s official service areas. Will collaborate proactively with all partner agencies to help strengthen the multi-disciplinary teams in all capacities and support children and families throughout the entire court process.   

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

·         Log all statewide intakes with criteria specific to MDT Working Protocols to include all physical and sexual abuse allegations, all intakes reported by a professional reporter, all child deaths received from DFPS and or Law Enforcement daily into the statewide database and the HHCAC tracking system.

·         Inform Program Director of intakes that meets criteria of only neglect cases to be entered into the statewide database system and the HHCAC tracking system.

·         Schedule all forensic interviews on Thera Nest to designated Forensic Interviewers with the information received from statewide intakes and any additional information received from partner agencies.

·         Document dispositions for all cases including those from Law Enforcement, DFPS, and/or Prosecution.

·         Maintain and update Centralized Forms for all cases receiving CAC services.

·         Support the MDT Coordinator in her role preparing for and facilitating MDT Case Reviews. 

·         Coordinate with CAC staff and MDT partners on intakes that meet criteria for the Neglect Program.

·         Facilitate dialogue with all partner agencies related to MDT joint investigations including but not limited to case updates, prosecution dispositions, warrants/arrests, case reviews, changes in the dynamics of cases, etc. and enter all updated case information into Statewide Data Base system with coordination and assistance from the MDT Coordinator.

·         Engage with all partner agencies to ensure a team approach to all investigations of child abuse.  

·         Establish and maintain open communication and healthy professional relationships with CAC staff and all partner agency representatives via in person conversations, phone or emails.

·         Ensure all data and information reported from statewide intakes and CAC internal tracking system is accurate, detailed and updated routinely for accurate data and reporting by the 3rd of every month.

  • Attend trainings identified by Program Director, Program Advancement Director and/or Executive Director.

  • Take the initiative to identify trainings and additional opportunities to enhance skills as Intake Specialist.

·         All other duties assigned by the Program Director and/or Executive Director.

REQUIREMENTS
Data entry skills is required. Ability to correspond and communicate effectively and professionally via phone and email is required.  Related experience working with children and community members is helpful.  Possessing an understanding of the child welfare and criminal justice systems and the implications related to CAC services is helpful. Travel as needed for required training with CACTX and other agencies.


QUALIFICATIONS
Must have excellent customer service, organizational and communication skills. Ability to use e-mail, Microsoft Office, and office software accurately. Multi-task efficiently and effectively is a high priority. Ability to manage a variety of tasks, effectively prioritize work, and ensure follow-through.  Ability and willingness to perform all essential job functions of position. Able to collaborate with multiple partner agencies while maintaining a professional and calm demeanor.  Understand and maintain the very confidential nature of the agency and its clients. Valid driver license and auto insurance required for position.


LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read and interpret documents such as personnel policies, Child Abuse and Neglect Reports, procedure manuals and operating instructions. Ability to create, write, research and review routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak efficiently one-on-one with co-workers, internal and external customers and outside contractors and vendors.

   

Please send resumes to loralinda@hhcac.org

Bilingual Outreach Specialist - Odessa, TX

Summary: The Outreach Specialist will support the Outreach and Education Program at Harmony Home CAC, providing education about the prevention of child abuse to community members through the creation and facilitation of training to children and adults, participating and promoting community events, etc... in all seven counties that we serve. May be required to complete other tasks as assigned by the Community Resource Director or Executive Director.

Essential Job Functions

·         Facilitate Child Safety Matters to grades Pre-k through 5th in English and Spanish

·         Facilitate Teen Safety Matters to grades 6th through 12th in English and Spanish

·         Assist prevention staff in developing prevention media campaigns to promote awareness, prevention, and agency activities. 

·         Assist in prevention activities, training for adults, and presentations.

·         Create and facilitate other abuse prevention trainings as needed if topics fall into Harmony Home CAC’s mission of “Together, Breaking the silence, healing the hurt.”

·         Assist in helping to plan prevention activities related to child abuse. Including Party in the Parking Lot, quarterly Lunch and Learns, Out-County Specialized events, etc.

·         Help to provide resources and support to community members and partner community agencies on a needs basis.

·         Ensure their individual monthly data submitted in-house is accurate, detailed, and updated routinely.

·         Ensure to do their part in conducting outreach and training to collectively meet/exceed Prevention Team yearly goals.

·         Establish and maintain open communication and professional relationships with staff, clients, and all partner agencies’ representatives. 

  • Keep abreast of new research and developments regarding child abuse, prevention of child abuse, community engagement and mapping, resources for families, and new techniques/processes for helping families become healthier.

·         Provide agency-approved parenting classes and/or support groups if determined to be needed, ensuring that there is no duplication of services within the community.  

·         All other awareness-related duties assigned by your supervisors.

·         Provide excellent customer service to child victims, their families, community members, and partner agency representatives. Be accessible for assistance.

·         Seek out and attend community meetings, coalitions, in-services, professional training, and conferences to ensure you are aware of all community resources and the latest research regarding child abuse.

·         Participate in agency trainings and events as assigned by supervisor.

 

REQUIREMENTS:

Possess relevant experience of at least two years related to advocacy for families, providing education and resources; a Degree preferred in social services, or other related fields.  Experience in public speaking, training, facilitating community meetings, data collection and research, data entry, engaging community members, and public policy

Possess knowledge of and experience in working with child abuse issues, and knowledge of the proper steps to take upon disclosure. 

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

A clear criminal history.  Must have excellent customer service, organizational, and communication skills. Ability to use e-mail, Microsoft Office, and office software accurately. Ability to handle a variety of tasks, effectively prioritize work, and ensure follow-through.  Ability and willingness to perform all essential job functions of the position. Understands and maintains the very confidential nature of the agency and its clients.  Must have a cellphone, reliable transportation, a valid driver's license, and auto insurance.

LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read and interpret documents such as personnel policies, procedure manuals, and operating instructions.  Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.  Ability to speak efficiently one-on-one with co-workers, internal and external customers, outside contractors, and vendors, and groups. Bilingual (Spanish/English) abilities are highly desirable.   

Please send resumes to hannah@hhcac.org