National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

Position Description

TITLE: Program Specialist, FAD Safeguard Program

LOCATION: Alexandria VA

DATE PREPARED: January 2026

FLSA: Exempt

DIVISION: Family Advocacy Division

PROGRAM: Safeguard Program

TRAVEL REQUIREMENT:

Not to exceed 10% (to attend trainings and conferences).

HOURS and SCHEDULE: 

Monday - Friday, 9:00am to 5:30pm (37.5 hours within five (5) days per week); unless otherwise required or approved by management. Requires evening and weekend availability to respond to requests, as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Works under the general supervision of the Senior Program Manager, FAD.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: 

None

RESPONSIBILITY FOR PUBLIC CONTACT:

Position requires contact with a diverse group of professionals that focus on sensitive issues. Contact with law enforcement, mental health professionals, legal professionals and other relevant groups, and individuals require courtesy, discretion, and sound judgment.

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION:

None required, but professional licensure in social work, counseling, psychology, and/or trauma-focused certifications are desirable.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

NCMEC’s Safeguard Program was developed in 1999 in conjunction with the launch of the CyberTipline^®,becoming one of the first models for protecting and providing support to staff that view objectionable material in the workplace, specifically child sexual abuse and exploitation material. The Safeguard Program seeks to address vicarious trauma, secondary trauma, and compassion fatigue in staff and assist each analyst in developing the healthy coping skills, stress management, and desensitization techniques necessary to maintain a positive work/life balance.

Overseeing the daily operations of NCMEC’s Safeguard Program includes:

Addressing sensitive content issues, including but not limited to graphic images, videos and writings, offensive or derogatory language, child safety, and other potentially objectionable material.
Responding to crisis/urgent graphic content exposure support requests from staff.
Conducting pre-brief and debrief sessions for interview candidates pursuing employment in the Exploited Child Division and Data Science Teams.
Planning, scheduling, and executing onboarding activities for new staff.
Facilitating group support and personal self-care plans for team members.
Coordinating trainings, planning sessions, and urgent needs with Safeguard Consultants
Creating and facilitating regular syncs with Safeguard Consultants and NCMEC management teams.
Researching and developing emerging techniques to mitigate harm due to exposure to child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and additional missing and exploited child needs.
Researching speaking opportunities to represent NCMEC’s programs of work at conferences.
Creating and executing protocols to address emerging needs: crisis response, specialized group session requests, self-care/leadership support.
Coordinating routine self-care activities and materials for staff.
Coordinating, organizing, and maintaining a Microsoft calendar used to schedule and plan sessions for NCMEC staff.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

This role requires an awareness and willingness to operate in a work environment with sensitive content that includes child sexual abuse, exploitation and other graphic material that may be considered offensive or disturbing.

Master’s degree in social work, counseling, psychology, or a related field.
2-3 years of relevant experience.
Specialty in resiliency training, trauma training/certifications preferred.
Experience serving people with a high level of cultural and emotional sensitivity (i.e. Rape Crisis Center, first responder call centers) a must.
Experience with group facilitation.
Experience with public speaking; creating and delivering presentations.
Experience with program metrics, data collection, and reporting (i.e Microsoft Office Suite, JotForm, Google Forms, Tableau, Excel, Domo)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Excellent clinical skills with specialized training in trauma work, resiliency and coping, and a strong understanding of secondary traumatic stress indicators and interventions.
Assess the needs of staff, deescalate, navigate support (resources), resolve complex emotional concerns, and take action in crisis situations.
Excellent written and verbal communications, interpersonal and organizational skills.
Demonstrated word processing skills and proficiency in database management.
Ability to analyze and collect data using Microsoft tools.
Ability to prioritize multiple tasks, work independently, and learn new systems.
A commitment to personal self-care and for those receiving support.
Ability to work in a high-tempo environment, adapt and respond to day-to-day challenges of the role.
Ability to handle and maintain the integrity and confidentiality of extremely sensitive material and information.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employee(s) will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.

A review of this position has excluded the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties. All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbent(s) will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" relationship.