Join our team

As a Forensic Interviewer, you play a vital role in advancing KIDS Center’s mission to lead our region’s response to child abuse. In this role, you conduct developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, research-based, and legally sound forensic interviews of children referred for child abuse evaluations.

You will help create a safe, respectful, and child-focused environment where children and caregivers are treated with dignity, care, and professionalism. Through careful listening, neutral interviewing practices, and objective documentation, you support high-quality assessments while preserving the integrity of the investigative process.

Throughout each case, you will collaborate closely with multidisciplinary team partners, including law enforcement, DHS Child Welfare, medical providers, mental health professionals, and Family Advocates. You will gather caregiver history and debrief, support the evaluation process, participate in case consultation and peer review, and contribute to coordinated, evidence-based services for children and families impacted by abuse.

This position requires emotional steadiness, sound judgment, strong communication, cultural humility, and the ability to work with children, caregivers, and professionals in sensitive and high-stress situations. The Forensic Interviewer represents KIDS Center with professionalism, integrity, and commitment to our values of trust, care, integrity, empathy, impact, humility, excellence, equity, and teamwork.

What You’ll Do

• Conduct developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, research-based, and legally sound forensic interviews of children in accordance with Oregon Forensic Interviewing Guidelines, National Children’s Alliance standards, and applicable legal requirements.

• Use neutral, forensically sound interviewing techniques that support child-focused, evidence-based assessments and preserve the integrity of the investigative process.

• Provide case-related observations and professional input based on knowledge of child development, trauma, memory, disclosure processes, child abuse dynamics, and evidence-based forensic interviewing practices.

• Conduct post-evaluation debriefings with parents and caregivers, provide education regarding the evaluation process, identify relevant support needs, and communicate follow-up recommendations or referrals to Family Support Specialists, as appropriate.

• Provide testimony in grand jury, criminal, juvenile, or civil proceedings as requested and appropriate.

• Represent KIDS Center with professionalism, ethical conduct, and commitment to our mission, values, and multidisciplinary partnerships.

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, counseling, psychology, sociology, child development, criminal justice, or a related field; and

• Four years of direct experience working with children, families, victims of abuse, child welfare, behavioral health, advocacy, law enforcement, or another child abuse-related profession; or

• Master’s degree in social work, counseling, psychology, sociology, child development, criminal justice, or a related field; and

• Two years of direct experience working in a child abuse-related profession; or

• Any satisfactory combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the position.

Preferred Certification and Experience

• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish.

• Experience working in a Children’s Advocacy Center or multidisciplinary team setting.

• Completion of Oregon Child Forensic Interviewing Training is preferred. Candidates who have not completed approved forensic interviewing training must complete OCFIT or another KIDS Center-approved training prior to conducting forensic interviews independently.

Position Details Type: Full-time, Hourly

Schedule: KIDS Center Hours are M-F 8 am-5 pm based on client and program needs.

Location: Bend, OR on-site work at KIDS Center / Mobile Clinic

Compensation: $60,000 – $75,000 annually

Benefits: KIDS Center is committed to supporting the well-being of our team so you can do this important work in a sustainable way. We offer:

• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision and life insurance

• 23 days of PTO to start in addition to 10 paid holidays

• 401(k) retirement plan with 4% employer match

• Ongoing professional development and training opportunities, including support for evidence-based practices

• A supportive, collaborative, and mission-driven work environment

To Apply

If your qualifications, experience, and goals align with this position, please send a resume and cover letter to hrinfo@kidscenter.org.

Bring your expertise to beautiful Central Oregon and help lead our forensic interview team!

KIDS Center is seeking an experienced Lead Forensic Interviewer to join our nationally-accredited Children’s Advocacy Center in Bend, Oregon. This is a meaningful opportunity for a skilled forensic interviewer who wants to maintain an active interviewing practice while serving as a mentor, coach, and supervisor to a dedicated team.

As a working leader, the Lead Forensic Interviewer will conduct forensic interviews with children while supporting staff development, strengthen multidisciplinary partnerships, provide education and training, and support high-quality service delivery throughout Central Oregon. This position is well suited for someone who values direct practice, continued leadership growth, and the opportunity to help others develop.

We welcome experienced local candidates as well as professionals interested in relocating to Central Oregon. A relocation stipend is available for eligible candidates.

If you are seeking a leadership role where your expertise will be valued and your work will have a lasting impact, we would love to meet you.

Why KIDS Center?

For 32 years, KIDS Center has led Central Oregon’s response to child abuse through evaluation, treatment, family support, and prevention. We are the only Children’s Advocacy Center serving our six-county region, which includes urban, rural, and frontier communities across Central and Eastern Oregon.

Our work is grounded in excellence, impact, equity, teamwork, care, empathy, integrity, humility, and trust. We invest in ongoing learning, reflective supervision, professional development, and a workplace culture built on respect, kindness, and a shared commitment to children and families.

KIDS Center recently added a mobile clinic to improve access for children and families who live farther from our Bend facility. Joining our team means becoming part of a deeply rooted organization that values continuous learning, professional development, and strong community partnerships. As we continue to grow and expand access to high-quality services, your work will help strengthen our team and make a meaningful difference for children and families throughout the region.

About the Role

This leadership opportunity balances direct practice with staff development, quality oversight, and program leadership.

The Lead Forensic Interviewer will:

• Maintain active practice by conducting developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed, neutral, and legally sound forensic interviews.

• Lead and support the forensic interview team through direct supervision, mentorship, case consultation, constructive feedback, and shared learning.

• Guide the recruitment, onboarding, training, and professional development of forensic interviewers, including assessing readiness for independent practice.

• Provide quality oversight for forensic interviews, reports, peer review, and team practices to support consistency with Oregon guidelines, National Children’s Alliance standards, and KIDS Center protocols.

• Strengthen multidisciplinary team collaboration through case staffing, consultation, partner training, and professional.

• Work collaboratively with staff as a part of the KIDS Center team including: intake, medical, family advocacy, therapy, prevention, and other KIDS Center employees.

• Represent the KIDS Center with professionalism, ethical conduct, and commitment to our mission, values, and multidisciplinary partnerships.

What We’re Looking For

• A bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, criminal justice, child development, human services, or a related field, along with at least three years of relevant professional experience.

• Three or more years of experience conducting child forensic interviews and completion of Oregon Child Forensic Interview Training or another National Children’s Alliance-recognized forensic interview training program.

• Experience supervising, mentoring, training, coaching, or providing professional guidance to staff.

• Strong knowledge of child development, trauma, child abuse dynamics, forensic interviewing practices, and multidisciplinary team processes.

• A collaborative, thoughtful, and adaptable leader with strong communication, professional judgment, organizational skills, emotional steadiness, and the ability to strengthen practices and systems while respecting the experience, relationships, and foundational work of the existing team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish.

• Master’s degree in a related field.

• Five or more years of child forensic interviewing experience, including experience within a Children’s Advocacy Center or multidisciplinary team.

• Formal supervisory or program leadership experience.

• Formal supervisory or program leadership experience. Advanced forensic interview training, experience providing professional training, and experience providing court testimony.

Position Details

Location: Bend, OR | On-site work at KIDS Center and through the mobile clinic

Classification: Full-time | Hourly | Non-Exempt Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8-5 with flexibility based on client and program needs

Compensation: $75,000 – $95,000 annualized, depending on qualifications and experience

Relocation Assistance: A relocation stipend is available for eligible candidates

Benefits: KIDS Center is committed to supporting the well-being of our team, so employees can do this important work in a sustainable way. We offer:

• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, vision, and life insurance

• 50% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision for dependents

• 23 days of PTO to start, in addition to 10 paid holidays

• 401(k) retirement plan with 4% employer match

• Ongoing professional development and training opportunities

• A culture that values learning, wellness, and professional growth

Our Mission

We lead our region’s response to child abuse.

About Our Services

KIDS Center is the only Children’s Advocacy Center serving Central Oregon. We provide comprehensive, child-centered services for children and families affected by abuse, including medical evaluations, forensic interviews, family advocacy, and mental health treatment. All services are provided at no cost to families.

Children are referred to KIDS Center by law enforcement, Child Welfare, medical providers, and licensed mental health professionals. Families may also access advocacy and mental health services without participating in an evaluation.

In addition to direct services, KIDS Center provides prevention education and community training on child development, healthy boundaries, sexual abuse prevention, internet safety, and other topics that help adults and communities better protect children.

Living in Central Oregon

Located where the Cascade Mountains meet Oregon’s high desert, Central Oregon is known for its natural beauty, abundant sunshine, distinct seasons, and year-round opportunities for outdoor recreation.

The Deschutes River flows through Bend, offering easy access to trails, paddling, floating, and other outdoor activities. Hiking, mountain biking, climbing, skiing, and fishing are all nearby. Bend also offers excellent restaurants and breweries, a vibrant downtown, arts and music, community events, and highly regarded schools.

KIDS Center employees live throughout the region. Redmond, approximately 20 minutes north of Bend, offers a growing downtown, convenient access to nature, and additional housing options. Sisters and La Pine provide smaller-town and more rural settings within commuting distance of Bend.

Central Oregon is a convenient launching point for exploring the Pacific Northwest and West Coast. Bend is approximately three hours from Portland, two and a half hours from Eugene, and three and a half hours from the Oregon Coast. Seattle is approximately six and a half hours away by car, and San Francisco is about eight hours away. Redmond Municipal Airport, approximately 20 minutes from KIDS Center, offers convenient nonstop flights to many major West Coast cities and other regional destinations.

To Apply

If your qualifications, experience, and goals align with this position, please send a resume and letter of interest to hrinfo@kidscenter.org. For priority consideration, please submit your application by Friday, August 21th. The position will remain open until filled.

KIDS Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We comply with all applicable laws, including Oregon’s Workplace Fairness Act and Equal Pay Act, and provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. Employment with KIDS Center is at will and may be terminated by either the employee or the organization at any time, with or without cause or notice, in accordance with applicable law.

Oregon state and national criminal background checks, as well as an Oregon Department of Human Services Child Welfare background check, are required for employment with KIDS Center.