Forensic Interviewer - Family Justice Center - Spanish​/English Bilingual Skills

Description

The San Mateo County Family Justice Center is seeking highly qualified candidates for the position of Forensic Interviewer - Spanish/English Bilingual Skills Required
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The San Mateo County Family Justice Center is a newly created one-stop holistic service and support center for families and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other forms of abuse. The mission of the Center is to support survivors and their families by creating a single destination to receive crucial services and support.

A division of the County of San Mateo’s District Attorney’s Office, the Family Justice Center (Center) is designed to be a County-run multi-agency, multi-disciplinary service center where both public and private partner agencies will assign staff on a full-time or part-time basis to provide services from one location. The Center’s focus is to reduce the number of times survivors tell their story, reducing the number of places they must go for help, and through active collaboration with community-based organizations, increasing the quality of services and support they receive.

The Position

The work of the Forensic Interviewer is an integral part of the services the Center offers. Under the general direction of the Director of the Family Justice Center, the Forensic Interviewer conducts neutral, legally sound, developmentally and culturally appropriate, and trauma-informed interviews of children, teens, and vulnerable adults who are victims or witnesses to child abuse or neglect, violence, exploitation, or other crimes referred to San Mateo County’s Child Advocacy Center (CAC).

Using nationally recognized protocols, the Forensic Interviewer gathers accurate and developmentally appropriate information while minimizing re-traumatization. Interviews are structured to support criminal investigations and may be used as evidence in court.

Working as part of a multidisciplinary team (MDT), the Forensic Interviewer collaborates closely with law enforcement, child protective services, prosecutors, and advocates to ensure a coordinated, victim-centered response. The Forensic Interviewer is also responsible for thorough documentation and may provide expert testimony in legal proceedings. The role is essential in bridging the needs of the justice system with the safety and well-being of victims.

In addition to conducting interviews, the Forensic Interviewer will also attend regular peer reviews, monthly case reviews, and other meetings and trainings as required.

This is an opportunity for a committed public servant with extensive experience to support some of the County’s most vulnerable residents. This position requires bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish.

Ideal Candidate

In addition to having demonstrated experience in conducting forensic interviews with victims of crime, the ideal candidate will have:

• A strong desire to help people.
• Experience working in a mental health setting.
• The Ability to listen with empathy to traumatic experiences and maintain balance and objectivity.
• Demonstrated success with self-care while providing services.
• Demonstrated success working independently and as part of a team.
• Resourcefulness and the ability to “think on their feet” and respond effectively in the moment.

Examples Of Duties

What You Will Do

The Forensic Interviewer will have the opportunity and responsibility to:

• Conduct forensic interviews, in both English and Spanish with children and adolescents in accordance with San Mateo County protocols.
• Conduct forensic interviews, in both English and Spanish, with adult victims or witnesses, including adults with special needs.
• Provide information, crisis intervention, resource referrals and support to children and adolescents and their non-offending family members, as needed, and in collaboration with partner agency personnel.
• Participate regularly in Forensic Interviewer peer review and skills-based continuing education in forensic interviewing.
• Participate in monthly multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings and case reviews.
• Work collaboratively with partner agencies personnel with case tracking and data collection.
• Work on MDT projects and committees, as necessary.
• Testify…