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Forensic Interviewer Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Forensic Interviewer information

See Michigan salary details

$7

$18

$27

How much do forensic interviewer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for forensic interviewer in Michigan is $18.27, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.86 and $22.40 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the job of a forensic interviewer?

A forensic interviewer is responsible for conducting interviews with children or vulnerable individuals to gather information about suspected abuse or neglect. They use specialized techniques to obtain accurate and detailed accounts while ensuring the interviewee's comfort and safety, often working within a multidisciplinary team and following legal and ethical guidelines.

How do I become a forensic interviewer?

To become a forensic interviewer, individuals typically need a background in social work, psychology, or criminal justice, along with specialized training in interviewing techniques and child development. Certification from organizations like the National Children's Alliance is often required, and experience working with children or vulnerable populations is beneficial. Strong communication skills and the ability to handle sensitive situations are essential for this role.

What is a Forensic Interviewer job?

A Forensic Interviewer is a trained professional who conducts structured conversations with children or vulnerable individuals involved in abuse, neglect, or other criminal investigations. They use specialized techniques to gather accurate, non-leading information while ensuring the interview is legally sound and trauma-informed. Their work helps law enforcement, child protective services, and legal teams make informed decisions while minimizing retraumatization for the victim.

Does the FBI hire forensic investigators?

Yes, the FBI hires forensic investigators, often called forensic examiners or specialists, to analyze digital, physical, and biological evidence. These roles typically require relevant education, specialized training, and security clearances, and investigators work in controlled environments using tools like forensic software and laboratory equipment.

What are some common challenges faced by Forensic Interviewers, and how are they addressed in the workplace?

Forensic Interviewers commonly encounter emotionally charged situations, working with vulnerable populations such as children or trauma survivors, which can be both challenging and rewarding. Managing personal resilience and avoiding burnout is crucial, and many workplaces provide ongoing training, supervision, and access to peer support or mental health resources. Interviewers often collaborate closely with law enforcement, social services, and legal professionals, which requires adaptability and strong teamwork skills. These supports and collaborative practices help ensure interviews are conducted ethically and effectively, while also sustaining the well-being of the interviewer.

Can you be a forensic interviewer without a degree?

Becoming a forensic interviewer typically requires at least a high school diploma or equivalent, but many employers prefer candidates with a bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, or a related field. Relevant skills such as communication, interview techniques, and sometimes certification in child advocacy or forensic interviewing are also important for the role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Forensic Interviewer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Forensic Interviewer, you need a strong understanding of investigative interviewing techniques, child development or trauma-informed care, and a relevant degree such as social work, psychology, or criminal justice. Knowledge of specialized protocols like the Child Advocacy Center model, familiarity with digital recording equipment, and relevant certifications such as forensic interviewer training are highly valued. Excellent communication, empathy, and active listening skills help build trust with interviewees and enhance collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. These competencies are critical for gathering accurate information while minimizing trauma for victims and ensuring that interviews hold up under legal scrutiny.

What are the most commonly searched types of Forensic Interviewer jobs in Michigan? The most popular types of Forensic Interviewer jobs in Michigan are:
Infographic showing various Forensic Interviewer job openings in Michigan as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $38,005 per year, or $18.3 per hour.
Children's Therapist/Victim Advocate

Children's Therapist/Victim Advocate

SAFE HARBOR CHILDRENS ADVOCACY CENT

Allegan, MI • On-site

$46K - $55K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Posted 12 days ago


Job description

Position Title: Children’s Therapist/Advocate Reports to: CAC Program Manager

Summary: The Therapist/Advocate shall be available to provide counseling for child sexual abuse, severe physical abuse, children of domestic violence, support group services, and follow-up of necessary services needed by the child and family. This is an exempt, grant-funded position and can be terminated with or without cause. This position requires 40 hours per week of crime victim support services with flexibility in scheduling, including evenings and occasionally on weekends. This position is contingent upon continued grant funding. Safe Harbor is a private, non-profit agency whose mission is to provide a lifeline to victims of child abuse and neglect. All candidates are subject to a comprehensive background screening and must have a clear criminal history and obtain clearance through the child abuse and neglect registry.

Qualifications: Minimum qualification of Master’s in Social Work, Psychology, and/or Human Services, preference given to specialization in TF-CBT. Certification or license to provide social work, counseling, and/or psychology in the state of Michigan. Outside clinical supervision of therapeutic services highly recommended. Experience in community organization and direct client services for child welfare. Thorough knowledge of the dynamics of child development and child abuse. Ability to interview, assess, and treat children and teenagers. Knowledge of treatment methods and approaches for physically or sexually abused children and their families. A desire to advocate on behalf of the children of Allegan, Barry, and Van Buren Counties. Consistently demonstrate professional behavior and leadership skills that are in support of the mission of Safe Harbor and serve as an advocate for the agency and its clients to support and promote quality standards for child abuse investigations. We welcome diverse candidates to apply, and Spanish speakers receive increased consideration for all positions at Safe Harbor.

To be offered employment the successful candidate must have no criminal convictions (misdemeanor or felony) or central registry child abuse/neglect history.

Salary Range: $52,000 - $55,000. This is a full-time exempt 40-hour salaried position. This position could also be a 32-hour salaried position with the pay respective to the reduced hours $46,000 to $50,000. This position will typically work in Hartford on Mondays and Thursdays, in Allegan on Tuesdays, with Wednesdays and Fridays to be determined based on the needs of the agency.

Duties and Responsibilities:

¨ Ensure that children involved with the Center are provided appropriate services, including referral to medical and counseling services, as needed.

¨ Be available to provide counseling services on-site or off-site: child sexual abuse clients, child physical abuse clients, child witnesses of violent crimes, and other referrals.

¨ Provide trauma focused services to children and teenagers.

¨ Conduct follow-up contact for child victims that have used CAC services.

¨ Attend court hearings with children involved in the CAC process. Testify in court hearings as needed.

¨ Provide referrals to child victims and non-offending family members.

¨ Maintain and participate in the Team Case Review process and Agency Review Team meetings.

¨ Maintain a team relationship with forensic interviewer, victim advocate, intake coordinator, and outside agency team members.

¨ Maintain files, records, and statistical data as required by the National Children’s Alliance.

¨ Assist the Executive Director with the development of protocols for use of the CAC facilities.

¨ Assist in facilitating training for professionals on the use and purpose of the Center, and other areas that pertain to the CAC program.

¨ Develop and implement ongoing support groups for non-offending parents/guardians, as needed.

¨ Develop and implement ongoing support groups for children and teenagers.

¨ Participate in appropriate professional training opportunities to advance knowledge of forensic interviewing and therapeutic skill development.

¨ Maintains confidentiality of CAC activities and client information.

¨ Other duties assigned by the Executive Director.

Note: Safe Harbor is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment relationships with Safe Harbor are of an at-will nature, may be terminated at any time, with or without cause, and with or without notice. Nothing in any job description, employment agreement, personnel policy or future evaluation shall alter the at-will nature of this employment.