Forensic Interviewer, Lead (At-Will)

What are you seeking in a new position?   If you’re like many others, doing something meaningful is important to you. How about work/life balance?   Affordable healthcare?   Comprehensive well-being programs?   An excellent retirement plan with significant employer contributions? 

If you answered “yes” to these questions, keep reading.  You can find it all right here in Pinal County. It might be time for a change of scenery, where you can make a difference and benefit from an employer who cares for and values its people.  

Pinal County proudly invests in the future of our 2000 employees every day, and we have the best team!  We offer a wide range of impressive benefits, including retirement plans that are among the best Arizona has to offer!  Just take a look:  

Additionally, collaborate with a talented team committed to making Pinal County an outstanding place for residents and staff. Working at Pinal County is an investment in YOU.  

Apply today and find out why Pinal County is more than just a job. 

Before you apply, watch this video to learn helpful tips for completing an application at Pinal County: 

Application Tips

Working in a multidisciplinary environment with Law Enforcement, Department of Child Safety, Medical Forensics, Victim Advocates and other service agencies, this position provides support and feedback to the Forensic Interview team including consultation and training of team members and partners and coordination of peer review. The position will also conduct forensic interviews of children in a timely, neutral and developmentally and culturally appropriate manner for the Pinal County Family Advocacy Centers and assist complex investigations with other Federal, state, and regional Law Enforcement Agencies (LEA) under basic supervision. 


      

• Actively participate in the interviewing and hiring process and ensure the successful on-boarding of new forensic interviewers.
• Monitor service delivery to ensure quality standards and best practices are adhered to, reporting progress and challenges back to the FAC Supervisor.
• Provide constructive, balanced, regular feedback to the forensic interviewer team.
• Develop plans to address identified gaps, challenges and barriers in the forensic interview team
• Stay current on quality standards and best practices in forensic interviewing, child abuse, trauma informed practice and service provision.
• Develop and present training programs on a variety of specialized topics as needed.
• Facilitates quarterly peer review and provides updates on current research
• Attend training for ongoing education and career development as needed
• Oversight and coordination of the forensic interviewer on-call schedule
• Provide support to the FAC Supervisor in developing and implementing programs and goals for the Dedicated Forensic Interviewers.
• Conduct objective forensic interviews of children who are alleged to have been victims of abuse and neglect, or witnesses to crimes utilizing the Arizona statewide interview protocols of a semi-structured cognitive interview process. 
• Develop rapport with caregivers and children when families visit the FAC.
• Conduct a thorough pre-interview with caregivers to obtain background information and information on the child’s communication and developmental functioning.
• Observe and evaluate the child’s emotional and developmental functioning before and during the forensic interview and structure the interview to best meet the needs of the child while obtaining information.
• Operate audio and visual equipment to record interviews.
• Provide weekend and after hours forensic interviews on an on-call basis.
• Document activities in the case management system.
• Provide court testimony as needed regarding interviews conducted.
• Compile and report monthly activities and statistics.   
• Act as a representative for the FACs in public presentations and media communication. 
• Inform the FAC Supervisor about relevant developments in the child abuse field and other relevant developments possibly impacting the FAC. 
• Help ensure accreditation standards are maintained at the FACs with regards to forensic interviews and interviewers
• Maintain the integrity, professionalism, values, and goals of Pinal County by assuring that all rules and regulations are followed and that accountability and public trust are preserved.
• Maintain HIPAA compliance and absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, customer records and restricted County information.
• Perform other related duties as required.

• Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Social Work, Child Abuse, Family Violence, or Administration.
• Three (3) years of experience conducting forensic interviews in a Child Advocacy Center Setting.
• Arizona residents must have an Arizona Driver’s License upon hire; newly established Arizona Residents must have one within 30 days of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supervising or mentoring employees in a criminal justice or social service setting.

• Knowledge of PCAO policies, procedures, organization and operations.
• Knowledge of state of Arizona criminal and civil statutes, rules, administrative orders, and applicable Federal rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of principles related to forensic interview methods.
• Knowledge in assuming delegated responsibilities.
• Knowledge of principles and techniques for conducting forensic interviews of minor children and special victims.
• Knowledge of Arizona criminal justice and court systems, procedures, and protocols.
• Knowledge of principles of confidential records, case files, and file management.
• Knowledge of the unique roles of law enforcement, advocates, medical providers and Department of Child Safety specialists.
• Skill in interpreting and applying state and Federal rules and regulations.
• Skill in compiling and analyzing program data, preparing and maintaining accurate records, and generating reports.
• Skill in interpreting laws and regulations, maintaining composure, and working effectively under stressful conditions.
• Ability to use initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
• Ability to mediate and negotiate difficult and complex situations.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing and exercise judgment and discretion in decision making.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with attorneys, and representatives of law enforcement agencies, courts, and other participants in the justice system.
• Ability to use specialized interview techniques for children and victims of abuse and assault.
• Ability to assess for special needs and utilize a skilled communication approach accordingly.
• Ability to maintain a neutral position and fact-finding role within a legal framework.
• Ability to effectively approach children and families who have experienced significant trauma
• Ability to effectively manage situations requiring diplomacy, understanding, fairness, firmness, and sound judgment.
• Ability to follow and effectively communicate verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to provide constructive feedback.

• Ability to work in a collaborative setting.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The work is light and requires exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.  The work also requires the ability to finger, handle, reach, perform repetitive motion, kneel, lift, speak, hear, stoop, walk, operate motor vehicles and demonstrate mental and visual acuity. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT
 Work is performed in an environment making decisions that could lead to major community or organizational consequences if appropriate decisions are not timely.

This position is not a covered position under the Pinal County Merit System Rules. Incumbents in this position serve at the pleasure of their respective Appointing Authority. The employment relationship is "at-will" and employment may be terminated at any time, for any reason, with or without cause. 

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS

 We appreciate your interest in our employment opportunities. At Pinal County, we value professionalism and treating others with respect. If these values are not demonstrated throughout the application and interview process we reserve the right to remove your candidacy from consideration and may impact your future Pinal County applications.  The hiring salary for this position is dependent upon experience, qualifications and position funding; starting salaries above the first quartile require additional approval.
 

All qualified candidates eligible to work in the United States are welcome to apply. However, visa sponsorship is not available.  Pinal County does not participate in STEM Optional Practical Training (STEM OPT).

Pinal County requires pre-employment screening, which includes a Motor Vehicle Record check, a comprehensive background check (encompassing employment, education, and criminal history), and drug testing for safety-sensitive roles. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify candidates from employment. Employment offers are contingent on successful pre-employment screening.  If driving is a requirement of the position, you must have a valid Arizona State Driver's License in accordance with Arizona State Law.  

Work in this classification requires an individual to be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary classification functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this classification may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in this classification description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties, just as though they were actually written out in this description. 

Salary : $57,909 - $89,759