GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE, 17TH CIRCUIT- CHILD ADVOCATE MANAGER - 21015621

State of Florida•Fort Lauderdale, FL

11d

About The Position

The Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office is a state-funded child advocacy organization that provides independent legal representation to abused, abandoned, and neglected children in Florida dependency court proceedings. It assigns a multidisciplinary team—including a guardian ad litem attorney, a child welfare professional, and, when available, a community volunteer or pro bono attorney—to each child it is appointed to represent. The Child Advocate Manager serves as the child welfare professional on this team and oversees Guardian ad Litem volunteers assigned to individual cases. The position involves consultative, administrative, and advocacy work, including gathering case information, making best-interests recommendations, preparing court reports, testifying, attending case-related proceedings and meetings, and visiting or contacting children and others involved in their cases. The role also includes collaboration with agency and community partners, use of organizational database and reporting systems, and participation in training and conferences.

Requirements

Valid Florida Driver’s License.
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in sociology, social work, psychology, child development, education, juvenile justice, communications, or a related social science, or qualifying prior experience that may be considered in place of the degree requirement.
All individuals hired after February 1, 2020, must be able to obtain Child Advocate Manager Certification from the Florida Certification Board within 12 months of hire.
Maintain Child Advocate Manager certification throughout employment.
Self-motivation and achievement orientation.
Ability to learn and pursue personal development, take direction, and work as part of a team.
Ability to interact effectively with and influence people from diverse backgrounds.
Ability to exercise discretion, respect privacy, and maintain confidentiality.
Strong organizational and time-management skills and ability to meet deadlines.
Excellent oral, written, and computer literacy skills.
Ability to maintain a professional and effective demeanor in emotional or traumatic situations.
Ability to coach, instruct, and motivate volunteers.
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 is desired but not required.
Experience with critical decision-making, planning, organizing, coaching, leading, or supervising.
Relevant prior experience may include work as a Child Protective Investigator, Dependency Case Manager, Juvenile Probation Officer, law enforcement professional, military member, educator, or other professional experience working with children and families.

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.
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 to 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.

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 FTE positions; employees may purchase additional coverage.
Public Loan Forgiveness Program.
State tuition waivers.
Child Advocate Manager training and professional certification with the Florida Certification Board; the agency pays certification costs.
No Florida state income tax for Florida residents.