Child Advocate

Company:  Frederick County , Inc.
Location: Annapolis
Closing Date: 03/11/2024
Hours: Full Time
Type: Permanent
Job Requirements / Description
Salary: $49,977.00 - $79,963.00 Annually
Location : Winchester Hall - Frederick, MD
Job Type: Full-time Regular
Job Number: FY25-00131
Department: Child Advocacy Center
Opening Date: 10/08/2024
Closing Date: Continuous
JOB INFORMATION
Make a difference in a child's life! Become part of the CAC's dynamic and collaborative multi-disciplinary team of professionals providing a trauma-informed approach and services that promote resiliency and healing to victims of child maltreatment.
POSITION DETAILS:
Exempt; full-time; 40 hours per week; Monday - Friday; varied hours 8:00 a.m. - 6:00pm; telework options available; full benefits
This professional position provides advocacy, education, and support services to a diverse population of child maltreatment victims and their non-offending family members served by the Child Advocacy Center and the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT). This position will provide crisis assessment and intervention, needs assessments, safety and service planning, trauma screenings, coordination and support throughout the investigation, prosecution, and treatment processes. This position will work collaboratively the CAC's partners on the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT). Supervision is received from the Child Advocacy Center Services Supervisor.
NOTE : The upper pay range reflects possible wage rates for internal County transfers and promotions. For transfers and promotions, wage rates are calculated per County policy.
Frederick County Government values the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members. If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to Frederick County Government today.
TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE: Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how highly we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full-time benefited Frederick County Government employee.
  • 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
  • 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
  • 11 paid holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays
  • Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan options to include generous County Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
  • 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit
  • County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan
    • Vesting after 5 years of service
    • Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc.
  • Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
  • Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
  • Other employee-paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Lifetime Benefit with Long Term Care plan.
  • Coming soon-early 2025: Employee Health Center with no or low cost primary and urgent care

  • For more information, visit our benefits page on the Frederick County Government job opportunities webpage
    ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
    • Provide support to children who are victims of child maltreatment and their caregivers
    • Provide crisis assessment and intervention, risk assessment and safety planning services to children; administer trauma screening and adverse childhood experience screenings
    • Conduct initial client intake and needs assessments; assess needs, provide case management and referral services to clients
    • Complete timely, accurate and relevant documentation of all contacts and services conducted on client's behalf
    • Connect families with resources and assist in securing services
    • Conduct initial caregiver and youth feedback surveys
    • Perform case management activities to facilitate effective collaboration among multidisciplinary team members; provide follow-up contact including in-person, telephone and written communications with victims and non-offending family members
    • Discuss and engage with children and caregivers to provide investigation/ prosecution process information and ensure understanding of crime victims' rights
    • Provide clients with court education (e.g. filing protective orders, obtaining emergency custody, visitation rights), support and accompany clients to court as needed
    • Maintain and update victim resource information ensuring that CAC has all up-to-date victim resource information
    • Maintain the NCATrak database; provide ongoing case tracking and data collection
    • Actively participate and contribute to MDT Case Review and all other case-related meetings/discussions
    • Coordinate with mental health treatment providers to connect and refer to appropriate services
    • Provide active and consistent outreach and follow-up support services with all clients
    • Compile and prepare reports as requested by supervisor
    • Assist in coordination and delivery of community outreach, training, and presentations
    • Perform various office support and administrative duties related to the Advocacy Program
    • As needed, travel to off-site locations to assist clients with various aspects of court process
    • Actively participate in Division emergency planning and activation of County shelter and family assistance center; attend required county and division trainings (i.e. DEIB, leadership, etc.)
    • As needed accompany victims to court in accordance with federal, state and local regulations
    • Perform other duties as assigned
    To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Any single position may not be assigned all duties listed above, nor do the examples cover all duties that may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
    QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
    The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical requirements or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
    • Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Criminal Justice, Human Services, Psychology or related field
    • Minimum 2 years of human services work experience that includes case management responsibilities
    • Intermediate skills in Microsoft Office
    • NOTE: A combination of work experience and education may be considered towards the overall requirements of this position. The minimum education level for this position is a related AA degree.
    KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES:
    • Knowledge of the Child First doctrine and the Child Advocacy Center's policies and procedures
    • Knowledge of MD victim's rights laws and criminal and/or child protective services reporting and investigative processes and procedures; including the forensic interview process
    • Knowledge of local community and legal resources with the ability to effectively network and make appropriate referrals
    • Knowledge of trauma and its impact on children and families and child abuse dynamics
    • Ability to provide crisis intervention, risk of harm assessments, and safety planning for victims
    • Ability to maintain pertinent, professional and ethical standards
    • Ability to effectively organize work, determine priorities and complete assigned duties with minimal supervision
    • Ability to perform accurate data entry and generation of reports using the CAC's data tracking software
    • Ability to work effectively under stressful conditions, while maintaining appropriate confidentiality with the sensitive, personal information of others
    • Ability to convey compassion to and about all CAC clients served
    • Ability to effectively perform job duties in a team environment as well as when individually assigned
    • Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with persons of diverse educational, cultural and economic backgrounds, with particular sensitivity toward the concerns and priorities of child maltreatment victims, co-workers and general public
    • Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication skills, including the ability to maintain detailed case records and other documentation
    PREFERENCE MAY BE GIVEN FOR:
    • Secondary language skills in Spanish
    • Experience or training in trauma-based work environments
    • Child advocacy work experience
    • Experience working with Frederick County community resources
    PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS:
    • While working in this position, the employee will be required to constantly sit and frequently walk, move or traverse.
    • While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly work indoors.
    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / EXAMINATION PROCESS
    • Ability to provide own transportation as needed for meetings and off-site visits
    • Available for evening and weekend work hours as needed to accommodate appointments, meetings and CAC events
    • This position is subject to random drug testing
    • Available on-call if needed for response to emergency situations

    EXAMINATION PROCESS: (may include)
    1) An evaluation of training and experience
    2) One or more interviews
    3) A pre-employment drug test
    3) A pre-employment fingerprint supported background investigation
    Retirement Plan:
    A defined benefit retirement plan is provided for all regular County employees. Employees are automatically enrolled in either the Uniformed Plan (5 year vesting) or the Non-Uniformed Plan (5 year vesting, effective 07/01/2024) depending upon position classification. The majority of support for the plan is provided by the County; however, employees are required to make a mandatory pre-tax contribution towards their benefit. Retirement benefits are payable at normal, early or delayed retirement. Retirement benefits are also payable upon termination and in the event of death or disability.
    Health Insurance:
    County employees have a choice of two medical insurance plans, an In-Network (HMO) Plan or a High Deductible medical plan with a Health Care Savings Account, to provide coverage for medical and surgical expenses, hospital and emergency care expenses, mental health expenses and prescription drugs. The County and participants share in the cost of the health insurance with the employee having the benefit of pre tax contribution deductions. Medical insurance goes into effect on the first day of active employment.
    Dental Insurance:
    Employees may select coverage from one of three dental plan options, ranging from a PPO plan to a dental HMO plan. Coverage includes preventive care, fillings, crowns, bridges and dentures, and the cost of dental insurance is shared by both the County and the employee. Dental insurance goes into effect on the first day of the month that follows the eligible employee's completion of 30 days of active employment
    NOTE: Employees working 75% or greater of a 35 or 40 hour position are eligible for health & dental insurance.
    Flexible Spending Accounts:
    The Flex Spending plan allows employees to pay health and day care expenses with pre-tax dollars. Employees may set aside part of their salary in a special account that can be used throughout the year to reimburse themselves for out-of-pocket medical expenses. The maximum contribution is $2,700 per year for Health Care Spending and $5,000 for Dependent Care Spending (work-related day care expenses). Examples of expenses that can be reimbursed for Health Care Spending include, but are not limited to: deductibles, co-payments, dental fees, chiropractors' services, and eyeglasses / contact lenses.
    Life Insurance:
    Employees are insured for 2 times their annual salary in case of death plus 2 times their annual salary for accidental death. Employees do not contribute to the premiums for this coverage. A Voluntary Life Insurance Program is offered to regular County employees. The plan allows employees to purchase individually owned term life insurance for themselves, spouses and dependents.
    Savings Plan - Deferred Compensation:
    The County offers a Section 457 Plan. Deferred compensation plans allow participants to save for retirement in either a pre tax or post tax (Roth) investment account. Contributions are invested at the employee's direction into one or more of the variety of investment options offered by the plan. Changes may be made to the contribution levels, investment options, etc. at any time.
    Educational Reimbursement Program:
    County employees who have successfully passed their probationary period may take up to two job-related courses per semester at any accredited educational institution. The benefit also covers the costs of job-related non-credit courses. If the employee receives a grade of at least a C, or successfully passes a non-credit course, the County reimburses the employee 75% of the costs of tuition, fees and books. If an employee doesn't remain employed with Frederick County Government for two years after a class is taken, the benefit needs to be reimbursed to FCG.
    Employee Assistance Program:
    This confidential assessment, referral and counseling service is available at no cost to all employees who may need help with a personal or job-related problem.
    Leave
    Annual Leave - Employees are eligible to use Annual Leave after their 6 month probationary period. Annual Leave accrues as follows: Years of service days per year
    0 - 2 years 11 days
    2 - 10 years 17 days
    10 + years 24 days
    Sick Leave - Employees will earn sick leave at a rate of 15 days per calendar year.
    Sick Leave may also be used for illness of an employee's child, dependent, spouse, parent or parent-in-law. There is no limit on the amount of sick leave accumulated. Unused Sick Leave may be used for additional credit in the pension plan at the time of retirement.
    NOTE: Regular benefited part-time employees earn annual and sick leave on a pro-rated basis based on their actual number of hours worked biweekly up to their assigned number of regularly scheduled work hours.
    Other available types of leave include, but are not limited to, Family Medical Leave, Bereavement, Jury, Military.
    Holidays:
    The County observes 10 holidays every year and 11 are observed on years of General Elections.
    For additional information on Frederick County Governments benefit package, please visit the Division of Human Resources website at
    All hires before January 1, 2012, will follow the all benefit and leave rules as described in the Personnel Rules amended October 3, 2013.
    01
    Your application, which includes any associated supplemental questions, must be complete at the time of submission and must clearly articulate the required work experience relevant to the position for which you are applying. The experience you indicate in your responses to the supplemental questions must also be described, in detail, on the Work History section of this application. Your application may be considered incomplete if vague descriptions of experience are included or if you cite experience in your supplemental question response that is not included on the Work History section of this application. When considering work history, 1 year of employment = 2,080 hours. If Human Resources staff is unable to confirm your related work experience based on the information submitted, or if you state "see resume" as your response, you will not be considered further.
    • I have read and acknowledge the above instructions.

    02
    Which best describes your current level of education?
    • High school diploma or equivalent
    • Associate's degree received
    • Some college
    • Bachelor's degree received
    • Advanced degree received

    03
    If you have obtained a college degree, please provide the degree concentration:
    04
    How many years of human services work experience do you have?
    • I have less than 1 year of experience.
    • I have 1 year of work experience.
    • I have 2 years of experience.
    • I have 3 years of experience.
    • I have 4 or more years of experience.

    05
    Please provide details regarding that work history in the text area below. The work history details provided should include the employer or organization name, dates of employment/service and the duties you performed.NOTE: When considering work history, 1 year of employment = 2,080 hours. If Human Resources staff is unable to confirm your related work experience, based on the information submitted, you will not be considered further.
    06
    Did your human services work experience include case management responsibilities?
    • Yes
    • No

    07
    Please provide details regarding that work history in the text area below. The work history details provided should include the employer or organization name, dates of employment/service and the duties you performed.NOTE: When considering work history, 1 year of employment = 2,080 hours. If Human Resources staff is unable to confirm your related work experience, based on the information submitted, you will not be considered further.
    08
    Which describes your level of proficiency with MS Office Suite software?
    • Beginner
    • Intermediate
    • Advanced

    09
    Do you have secondary language skills in Spanish?
    • Yes
    • No

    10
    Please provide details regarding that work history in the text area below. The work history details provided should include the employer or organization name, dates of employment/service and the duties you performed.NOTE: When considering work history, 1 year of employment = 2,080 hours. If Human Resources staff is unable to confirm your related work experience, based on the information submitted, you will not receive the preference credit.
    11
    Do you have experience or training in trauma-based work environments?
    • Yes
    • No

    12
    Please provide details regarding that work history in the text area below. The work history details provided should include the employer or organization name, dates of employment/service and the duties you performed.NOTE: When considering work history, 1 year of employment = 2,080 hours. If Human Resources staff is unable to confirm your related work experience, based on the information submitted, you will not receive the preference credit.
    13
    Do you have child advocacy work experience?
    • Yes
    • No

    14
    Please provide details regarding that work history in the text area below. The work history details provided should include the employer or organization name, dates of employment/service and the duties you performed.NOTE: When considering work history, 1 year of employment = 2,080 hours. If Human Resources staff is unable to confirm your related work experience, based on the information submitted, you will not receive the preference credit.
    15
    Do you have experience working with Frederick County community resources?
    • Yes
    • No

    16
    Please provide details regarding that work history in the text area below. The work history details provided should include the employer or organization name, dates of employment/service and the duties you performed.NOTE: When considering work history, 1 year of employment = 2,080 hours. If Human Resources staff is unable to confirm your related work experience, based on the information submitted, you will not receive the preference credit.
    Required Question
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