Family Advocacy Specialist/Forensic Interviewer

Position: Family Advocacy Specialist/Forensic Interviewer (Bi-lingual a plus)

Hours: Full time, 4-day workweek (36 hours). Non-Exempt. 

Pay (Salary): $23.00 - $28.00/hour DOE. 

Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and competitive compensation package that includes: Employee Medical and Dental insurance, Life insurance, Tax-sheltered Annuity Plan, PTO starting at 3 weeks, plus 12 paid holidays, 3 paid personal days, Professional Development, a Self-Care fund and a supportive team environment. 

Reports to: CAC & SAS Department Manager. Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, with on-site parking.

Who We Are: For over 50 years, Solace Sexual Assault Services has been a full-service sexual assault services provider for our neighbors in Santa Fe, Rio Arriba and Dona Ana Counties. Our mission is to provide compassionate services to survivors of sexual violence while working to end sexual violence through advocacy, therapy, education, and prevention. The services of Solace are offered free of charge, and we are committed to being a vital resource for healing and hope in our community.

Solace offers three core services: 1. The Child Advocacy Center/Sexual Assault Services Department (CAC/SAS) supports survivors of violence through the wide range of services available through Solace and our community partners. 2. The Clinical Department provides crisis stabilization, assessment, and therapy to individuals who have experienced sexual violence and other violent crimes. 3. The Education & Prevention Department provides comprehensive sexual violence prevention education programs to schools, government agencies, and community organizations.

Position Summary: The primary role of this position entails working with survivors of sexual violence and other violent crimes by using trauma informed strategies to assist them in accessing services and navigating the criminal legal system.

Duties and Responsibilities of a Family Advocacy Specialist/Forensic Interviewer at Solace include: 

1. Provide crisis response services for survivors of sexual and other violent crimes and their families. 

2. Conduct forensic interviews. 

3. Provide assessment of client service needs and develop a plan to meet those needs in conjunction with other community service providers. 

4. Provide Court Advocacy, court preparation, and support for victims and families, in coordination with the District Attorney and victim advocates at First Judicial Court. 

5. Maintain tracking of Family Advocacy Department cases that enter the court system. 

6. Develop and maintain strong relationships with external agencies while coordinating services for survivors and families. 

7. Maintain up-to-date client files and records. 

8. Adhere to all of Solace’s policies and procedures. 

9. Abide by confidentiality standards required by Solace, State statues, and Federal statutes.

Required Qualifications to join the Solace team include: 

1. Bachelor’s Degree preferred with at least two years of experience working in a related field. 

2. Specialized skills and experience in advocating for victimized children, youth, and their families. 

3. Strong working knowledge of state and local resources. 

4. Familiarity with issues related to child abuse and trauma. 

5. Ability to work with clients from a variety of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. Bi-lingual competency in Spanish/English (a plus). 

6. Ability to serve clients with compassion, demonstrating the belief that they are the experts in their own healing with strong professional boundaries. 

7. You must pass the CYFD Childcare background clearance and complete the US DOJ-OJP OVCTACC on-line Victims Advocacy Training (VAT) and CYFD Trauma Informed Training within 90 days of hire. 

8. You must be computer literate in Windows-based applications and have strong verbal and written communication skills.

Why work with Solace? If you are passionate about stepping in to help victims of sexual assault and violence, believing that you can make a difference, then join our team in this important work. Knowing that we value who we serve and all who provide this essential service, while protecting you through our programs for self-care and professional development.

Want to learn more? Apply! Mail your letter of interest, resume’ and three professional references to the Human Resource Generalist, Susan Cahoon at: scahoon@findsolace.org.

Solace is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to an equitable workplace where everyone is treated as a respected and valued member of the team and our community.

To find out more about who we are, visit: www.FindSolace.org