Behavioral Health Clinician (Sexual Assault Advocate) - Nancy J. Cotterman Center at Broward County, FL

About the Department

The Broward County Board of County Commissioners is seeking qualified candidates for Behavioral Health Clinician (Sexual Assault Advocate) with Crisis Intervention and Support Division - Nancy J Cotterman Center .

It is the mission of the Nancy J Cotterman Center (NJCC) to improve and enhance the quality of life for survivors of sexual assault, child abuse and human trafficking through effective, forensically sensitive interventions, implemented by professionals specializing in these fields. NJCC provides a safe, non-threatening environment for survivors and supportive family members. Services are intended to assist in matters of public safety and to help individuals and families in their recovery. NJCC is certified as a Sexual Assault Program by the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence and accredited as a Child Advocacy Center by the National Children’s Alliance.

General Description
Provides counseling, screening, assessment, and intervention to individuals and families.

Works under general supervision, independently developing work methods and sequences.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Requires a Master's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in social work, gerontology, psychology, counseling or closely related field to area of assignment.

Requires one (1) year in social services casework, counseling or closely related field to area of assignment.

Six (6) months of clinical case management may also be required. 

Special Requirements
Required to work nights, weekends, holidays on a regular basis and on call hours.  

Must be able to pass and maintain a Level 2 background check for the duration of appointment.

Special Certifications and Licenses Required
Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver's License for duration of appointment.

Preferences

Experience working with survivors of sexual violence and child abuse.

Bilingual English/Spanish, English/Creole and/or English/Portuguese

Trained in forensic interviewing

Position Duties

The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the job as necessary.

 Evaluate and provide crisis intervention services to survivors of sexual violence, human trafficking and child abuse and their non-offending family members, in person or by telephone. 

Accompany clients during initial and follow up forensic medical examinations, appointments, interviews, trial and sentencing and other necessary appointments or services.

Act as an advocate between the families and law enforcement, state attorney's office, child protective services and other entities to ensure that the needs and/or concerns of the client are being addressed and rights upheld.

Provide information to clients about available services and resources and coordinate/deliver agency services. 

Conduct forensic interviews

Testify at depositions, hearings, and trials as required. 

Explain the legal process to clients and family members as it pertains to individual cases; coordinates with local law enforcement agencies and the State Attorney's Office regarding the status of cases.

Prepare required casework and narrative reports, typically using computer-based applications.

Complete intakes and triage cases as needed to determine appropriate services. 

Assist clients with completing assistance and relocation applications.

Represents the agency in community events, staffing, and stakeholder meetings. 

Answer after-hour calls as needed. 

Participate in staff meetings, multi-disciplinary team meetings and trainings as scheduled.

Conduct community presentations and educational groups.

Assists with special projects assigned by the supervisor.

Perform emergency service duties in the event of a County emergency or disaster (e.g., staffing a shelter prior, during or after a hurricane). 

Performs related work as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Physical Demands
Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.
Performs sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time or sustained keyboard operations.

Unavoidable Hazards (Work Environment)
Unavoidable hazards refer to the job conditions that may lead to injury or health hazards even though precautions have been taken.
Involves routine and frequent exposure to traffic; moving machinery.

Other Qualifications

County Core Competencies

• Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Customer focus: Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
• Instills trust: Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
• Values differences: Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.