GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE, 4TH CIRCUIT- CHILD ADVOCATE MANAGER - 21012726

State of Florida•GREEN COVE SPRINGS, FL

129d

About The Position

The Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office is a state-funded Florida organization that provides independent legal representation to children who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected in dependency court proceedings. It assigns multidisciplinary teams—including a guardian ad litem attorney and a child welfare professional, and, when available, a community volunteer or pro bono attorney—to represent children appointed to the Office. The Child Advocate Manager serves as the child welfare professional on the team and oversees Guardian ad Litem volunteers assigned to individual cases. The role includes consultative, administrative, and advocacy work, and may include supervising a group of volunteers. The position is with the Guardian ad Litem Office in Florida’s 4th Circuit, with Clay County specified as the job location for applications. Employees hired after February 1, 2020, must obtain Child Advocate Manager certification through the Florida Certification Board within 12 months of hire and maintain certification throughout employment. The agency pays certification costs. No mandatory night, weekend, or holiday work is scheduled.

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 experience may be considered to meet the degree requirement.
Ability to obtain Child Advocate Manager Certification from the Florida Certification Board within 12 months of hire if hired after February 1, 2020, and maintain certification throughout employment.
Desirable capabilities include self-motivation, achievement orientation, willingness to learn and pursue personal development, ability to take direction and work as part of a team, and ability to interact effectively with people of diverse backgrounds.
Ability to exercise discretion, respect privacy, and maintain confidentiality; strong organizational and time-management skills and ability to meet deadlines; and excellent oral, written, and computer literacy skills.
Ability to maintain a professional and effective demeanor in emotional or traumatic situations and to coach, instruct, and motivate volunteers.
Knowledge of case management, social support services, child development, dynamics of child abuse, domestic violence, substance abuse and mental health, 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 service, counseling, teaching, managing people, or supervising volunteers is desired but not required.
Experience in critical decision-making, planning, organizing, coaching, leading, or supervising is helpful.
Relevant prior professional experience working with children and families—such as Child Protective Investigator, Dependency Case Manager, Juvenile Probation Officer, law enforcement, military, or educator experience—may be considered in lieu of the preferred degree.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with the Guardian ad Litem Office multidisciplinary team, management, the Department of Children and Families, contracted service providers, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Education, law enforcement, and other partners.
Oversee the work of Guardian ad Litem Office volunteers and, as applicable, supervise a group of volunteers.
Gather and document pertinent independent case information.
Provide best-interest advocacy recommendations to the multidisciplinary team, the court, and child welfare partners.
Prepare written reports to the court and provide testimony.
Attend case-related hearings, depositions, case plan conferences, dependency mediations, staffings, 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.

Benefits

State of Florida retirement package with pension or investment plan; 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 all FTE positions; employees may purchase additional coverage.
Public Loan Forgiveness Program.
State tuition waivers.
Child Advocate Manager training and professional certification; the agency pays certification costs.
No Florida state income tax for Florida residents.