Job Summary

The position serves as a civilian forensic interviewer at the Children’s Justice Center (CJC) in coordination with CJC’s multidisciplinary child abuse response team. This team is responsible for a comprehensive and holistic response to incidents of suspected felony-level child abuse throughout Clark County. The forensic interviewer’s main role is to conduct forensic interviews with children in a timely, neutral and trauma informed manner. The forensic interviewer will utilize their expertise in child abuse and exploitation to help the team identify and respond appropriately to the needs of each individual child. Special projects or other relevant duties will also be assigned when the forensic interviewer is available to ensure full productivity and utilization of this staff person’s special skills on these teams. As the forensic interviewer, court appearances will be required to educate the trier of fact about the interview process or to clarify specifics about the interview or dynamics of victimization. Other duties include participating in Peer Review and Case Review meetings, service reporting and other projects related to this position.

This position is a 1.0 FTE project position and reports directly to the CJC Executive Director. Funding for this position is currently through December 2025 but may be converted to a permanent position if additional funding is secured.
This position is non-exempt and non-represented with Clark County.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in psychology, social work or other related field is desirable.

  A minimum five years of direct experience working with children and families is required
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  All combinations of education, experience and training that demonstrate the ability to perform the work will be considered

  Substantial understanding and experience working with other professional disciplines whose work involves the criminal justice and child welfare systems

  Understanding basic child development, children with special needs and the ramifications of child abuse is essential

  Formal training in a forensic interviewing protocol recognized by the National Children’s Alliance is strongly preferred

  Knowledge of: Principles and practices of forensic interviewing of children; Children’s Advocacy Centers and the multidisciplinary team model; dynamics of child abuse and exploitation; child responses to trauma; effective communication with children and the neutral and legal role of a forensic interviewer.

  Ability to: Work well and coordinate with the CJC multidisciplinary team; assess children for trauma and special needs; effectively build rapport and interact with children to elicit facts in a neutral and legal manner; respond as appropriate in emergent circumstances and effectively schedule and manage time to ensure timely completion of interviews in accordance with the established protocol; work independently with reliability; maintain neutrality in communications; stay within the boundaries of the unique role of a forensic interview and maintain effective working relationship with coworkers and agency partners; possess basic computer skills; thoroughly document, log and track data; use video recording equipment; drive and utilize own vehicle; abide by County, State and Federal laws and regulations that are relevant to the work of a forensic interviewer.

  The ideal candidate will have the following strengths:

  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills

  • Strong organizational, time management and conflict management skills

  • Knowledge and experience with forensic interviewing of suspected child victims and witnesses in a culturally and developmentally appropriate, trauma informed and legally defensible manner

  • Understanding and experience with maintaining a neutral and trauma-informed position on a Children’s Advocacy Center multidisciplinary team

  • Ability to effectively communicate with children who have experienced significant trauma

  • Ability to assess for special needs and utilize a skilled communication approach accordingly

  • Understanding of the roles of multidisciplinary team members including, but not limited to, representatives of law enforcement, medical and mental health providers, Child Protective Services, prosecutors, and community- and systems-based victim advocates

  • Significant expertise and understanding of child development and the psychosocial ramifications of child abuse

  • Knowledge of how to fulfill mandated reporting responsibilities

  • Employment References, including former supervisors, will be conducted for the final candidates. Applicants shall also provide verification of education completed

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