Children's Therapist / Victim Advocate

Job Description

Job Description

Position Title : Children’s Therapist / Advocate Reports to : CAC Program Manager

Summary : The Therapist / Advocate shall be available to provide counseling for child sexual abuse, severe physical abuse, children of domestic violence, support group services, and follow-up of necessary services needed by the child and family. This is an exempt, grant-funded position and can be terminated with or without cause. This position requires 40 hours per week of crime victim support services with flexibility in scheduling, including evenings and occasionally on weekends. This position is contingent upon continued grant funding. Safe Harbor is a private, non-profit agency whose mission is to provide a lifeline to victims of child abuse and neglect. All candidates are subject to a comprehensive background screening and must have a clear criminal history and obtain clearance through the child abuse and neglect registry.

Qualifications : Minimum qualification of Master’s in Social Work, Psychology, and / or Human Services, preference given to specialization in TF-CBT. Certification or license to provide social work, counseling, and / or psychology in the state of Michigan. Outside clinical supervision of therapeutic services highly recommended. Experience in community organization and direct client services for child welfare. Thorough knowledge of the dynamics of child development and child abuse. Ability to interview, assess, and treat children and teenagers. Knowledge of treatment methods and approaches for physically or sexually abused children and their families. A desire to advocate on behalf of the children of Allegan, Barry, and Van Buren Counties. Consistently demonstrate professional behavior and leadership skills that are in support of the mission of Safe Harbor and serve as an advocate for the agency and its clients to support and promote quality standards for child abuse investigations. We welcome diverse candidates to apply, and Spanish speakers receive increased consideration for all positions at Safe Harbor.

To be offered employment the successful candidate must have no criminal convictions (misdemeanor or felony) or central registry child abuse / neglect history.

Salary Range : $52,000 - $55,000. This is a full-time exempt 40-hour salaried position. This position could also be a 32-hour salaried position with the pay respective to the reduced hours $46,000 to $50,000. This position will typically work in Hartford on Mondays and Thursdays, in Allegan on Tuesdays, with Wednesdays and Fridays to be determined based on the needs of the agency.

Duties and Responsibilities :

¨ Ensure that children involved with the Center are provided appropriate services, including referral to medical and counseling services, as needed.

¨ Be available to provide counseling services on-site or off-site : child sexual abuse clients, child physical abuse clients, child witnesses of violent crimes, and other referrals.

¨ Provide trauma focused services to children and teenagers.

¨ Conduct follow-up contact for child victims that have used CAC services.

¨ Attend court hearings with children involved in the CAC process. Testify in court hearings as needed.

¨ Provide referrals to child victims and non-offending family members.

¨ Maintain and participate in the Team Case Review process and Agency Review Team meetings.

¨ Maintain a team relationship with forensic interviewer, victim advocate, intake coordinator, and outside agency team members.

¨ Maintain files, records, and statistical data as required by the National Children’s Alliance.

¨ Assist the Executive Director with the development of protocols for use of the CAC facilities.

¨ Assist in facilitating training for professionals on the use and purpose of the Center, and other areas that pertain to the CAC program.

¨ Develop and implement ongoing support groups for non-offending parents / guardians, as needed.

¨ Develop and implement ongoing support groups for children and teenagers.

¨ Participate in appropriate professional training opportunities to advance knowledge of forensic interviewing and therapeutic skill development.

¨ Maintains confidentiality of CAC activities and client information.

¨ Other duties assigned by the Executive Director.

Note : Safe Harbor is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment relationships with Safe Harbor are of an at-will nature, may be terminated at any time, with or without cause, and with or without notice. Nothing in any job description, employment agreement, personnel policy or future evaluation shall alter the at-will nature of this employment.