GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE, 15TH CIRCUIT- CHILD ADVOCATE MANAGER - 21012929

State of Florida•West Palm Beach, FL

About The Position

The Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office is a state-funded organization that provides independent legal representation to children who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected in Florida dependency court proceedings. Its multidisciplinary teams include a guardian ad litem attorney, a child welfare professional, and, when available, a community volunteer or pro bono attorney. The Child Advocate Manager serves as the child welfare professional and oversees Guardian ad Litem volunteers assigned to individual cases. The position involves consultative, administrative, and advocacy work. Child Advocate Managers gather and document case information, develop best-interests recommendations, prepare court reports, testify, and participate in case-related proceedings and meetings. They also visit and contact children and other people involved in their cases, use the organization’s database and reporting systems, and participate in training and conferences. Applicants must have a valid Florida Driver’s License. A relevant bachelor’s degree is preferred, though prior professional experience may be considered in meeting the degree requirement. Two years of relevant experience is desired but not required. Employees hired after February 1, 2020, must obtain Child Advocate Manager certification from the Florida Certification Board within 12 months of hire and maintain it during employment; the agency pays certification costs. The Executive Director or designee may grant an exception to the education and experience requirements. This is a State of Florida position. The posting states that there are no mandatory night, weekend, or holiday scheduled shifts. Applicants should apply through the Guardian ad Litem Office website or email their application and resume to the address provided in the posting, selecting Palm Beach County as the job location.

Requirements

Valid Florida Driver’s License.
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, preferably with a major in sociology, social work, psychology, child development, education, juvenile justice, communications, or a related social science; prior relevant experience may be considered to meet the degree requirement.
Two years of experience in child welfare, social services, counseling, teaching, managing people, or supervising volunteers is desired but not required.
Ability to obtain Child Advocate Manager Certification from the Florida Certification Board within 12 months of hire for individuals hired after February 1, 2020, and maintain certification during employment.
Self-motivated and achievement-oriented; strong desire to learn and pursue personal development.
Ability to take direction, work as part of a team, and interact effectively with or influence people of diverse backgrounds.
Ability to exercise discretion, respect privacy, and maintain confidentiality.
Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to meet deadlines.
Excellent oral, written, and computer literacy skills.
Ability to maintain a professional and effective demeanor in emotional or traumatic situations.
Knowledge of case management, social support services, and child development concepts.
Knowledge of the dynamics of child abuse, domestic violence, substance abuse, and mental health.
Knowledge of the Florida State Courts System and Florida statutes relating to child welfare and protection.

Nice To Haves

Two years of experience in a program focused on child welfare, social services, counseling, teaching, managing people, or supervising volunteers.
Experience in critical decision-making, planning, organizing, coaching, leading, or supervising.
Professional experience working with children and families, such as Child Protective Investigator, Dependency Case Manager, Juvenile Probation Officer, law enforcement, military, or educator experience.
Bachelor’s degree in sociology, social work, psychology, child development, education, juvenile justice, communications, or a related social science.
Ability to coach, instruct, and motivate volunteers.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with the Guardian ad Litem Office multidisciplinary team, management, and external child-welfare partners and agencies.
Oversee the work of Guardian ad Litem Office volunteers.
Gather and document pertinent independent case information.
Provide best-interests advocacy recommendations to the multidisciplinary team, the court, and child-welfare partners.
Prepare written reports for the court.
Provide testimony to the court.
Attend internal and external case-related court hearings, depositions, case plan conferences, dependency mediations, staffing sessions, and meetings.
Visit and contact assigned children, parents, caregivers, schools, and service providers.
Use the organization’s database and reporting systems.
Participate in internal and external training, meetings, and conferences.
Obtain Child Advocate Manager certification within 12 months of hire if hired after February 1, 2020, and maintain certification throughout employment.

Benefits

State of Florida Retirement System pension or investment plan, with a 3% employee contribution required.
State group insurance options, including health, life, dental, vision, and supplemental insurance.
Flexible spending account.
Nine paid state holidays each calendar year.
One paid personal holiday each fiscal year.
13 paid sick leave days accrued within the calendar year.
13 paid annual leave days accrued within the calendar year, with an increase after five years.
$25,000 life insurance provided at no cost for FTE positions; employees may purchase additional coverage.
Public Loan Forgiveness Program.
State tuition waivers.
Child Advocate Manager training and professional certification, with certification costs paid by the agency.
No State of Florida income tax for Florida residents.