GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Under the direction of the Director of Public Health, to promote hope and healing for child abuse victims and their non-offending caregivers. The Division Manager - Child Advocacy assumes full responsibility for all aspects of the Child Advocacy Center (CAC). The Division Manager - Child Advocacy is responsible for facilitating a multidisciplinary team response to child abuse investigations, ensuring quality service provision and adherence to applicable policies and standards.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

This position supervises staff, volunteers, and operates as the field instructor for student interns.

IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Ensure CAC compliance with the Texas Family Code, Texas Standards for Childrens Advocacy Centers, Multi-Disciplinary Teams (MDT) Protocols, CACTX policies, and City Policies.

Apply for and manage federal and state grants, submit quarterly reports, and oversee the case tracking system.

Oversee the work of CAC staff. Provide guidance, training and professional development based on staff needs and requirements. Conduct annual employee performance evaluations.

Perform quality assurance assessments of all areas of service provision.

Develop and maintain good working relationships with the MDT, made up of four law enforcement jurisdictions, child welfare agencies, mental and medical health professionals, advocacy agencies and the District Attorneys Office. Ensures CAC staff provide 24/7 response to requests for MDT services.

Facilitate joint investigations and service provision for victims of child abuse and their non-offending family members. Encourage compliance with MDT Protocols for all interagency partners.

Using the citys Human Resource (HR) system, manage all aspects of employee timesheets, onboarding and personnel management tasks. Submit appropriate documentation to CACTX as required.

Schedule board meetings, create agendas, and maintain good working relationships with board members. Ensure all relevant background checks and required paperwork are completed.

Collaborate with local universities, child welfare agencies and other stakeholders to provide learning opportunities for the purpose of training new and potential professionals in the field.

Assess the wellness of staff, provide training on vicarious trauma, and provide needed resources. Participate in ongoing training for all aspects of the job.

Serve as administrator for the CACs information database and serve as Custodian of Records for the digital media that resides on the system.

Facilitate purchasing of all supplies and services for the CAC in compliance with City of Abilene purchasing policies. Additionally, work with the Child Advocacy Board to Secure donations or the purchase of needed items not allowable by available grants.

Serve on the Public Health Leadership Team for the purpose of representing the needs of the CAC and providing input regarding policy and processes for the Public Health Department.

Operate a personal and/or city vehicle periodically and often times, with short notice to travel to other health department facilities as well as offsite events, trainings, and meetings.

OTHER JOB-RELATED DUTIES

Collaborate with interagency partners to create and provide regular revisions to MDT Working Protocols, as needed.

Provide criminal and civil court testimony for child abuse cases, as requested.

Perform other job-related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

Child abuse to include information about investigations, interventions, and criminal/civil court systems.

Child Advocacy Center model to include best practices for MDT services.

Policies, law, standards and protocols that impact CAC services and interagency coordination.

Federal and state grant applications and reporting processes.

Personnel management, program oversight, and grant management.

Skill to:

Communicate professionally orally and in writing.

Effectively manage time and maintain organization.

Operate a variety of technology-based systems.

Think critically and make sound decisions in complex situations.

Speak publicly and present sensitive information in public settings to groups and individuals.

Ability to:

Maintain confidentiality.

Adjust to changes with a positive attitude.

De-escalate conflict and tense situations.

Maintain strong boundaries and successfully implement healthy self-care techniques.

Demonstrate keen attention to detail to ensure accuracy and efficiency.

Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, both internally and externally.

Follow and embrace the City of Abilene Core Values - Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do.

Lead, manage, and perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Divisions mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.

Experience and Training Guidelines:

For positions with more than one level, all listed requirements at the lower levels are required at the higher levels. Any combination equivalent to experience and training to provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be qualifying. Knowledge, skills, and abilities may be obtained through:

Experience:

Five (5) years of previous experience working with child welfare, law enforcement, and social services agencies in some capacity is required.

Education/Training:

A bachelors degree in social work, criminal justice, human services, or related field is required.

License or Certificate:

A valid Texas drivers license: the ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days of employment, or a military waiver is required.

A valid Texas license in one of the following is preferred:

Marriage and Family Therapy LMFT-associate, LMFT, LMFT-S

Professional Counseling LPC-associate, LPC, LPC-S

Psychology Licensed Psychologist

Social Work, LMSW, LCSW, LCSW-S

Special Requirements:

Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:

HIPAA Compliance training is required within sixty (60) days of employment.

City of Abilene

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Division Manager - Child Advocacy