Full time (1.0FTE) GAL Family Court Manager

Minnesota Guardian ad Litem Program•Minnesota Judicial Center - St. Paul, MN

10d•Hybrid

About The Position

The State Guardian ad Litem Board's mission is to provide well-trained, effective guardians ad litem to advocate for safe and permanent homes for the children represented in Juvenile and Family Courts. This is a highly responsible managerial, supervisory, and administrative position managing the State-Wide Guardian ad Litem Program Family Court Division activities. The Family Court Division manager oversees operations, administration, and contract management by developing Family Court procedures and guidelines. The position ensures the Family Court Division of the GAL Program is carried out in accordance with the standards, policies, and program requirements established by the Minnesota Guardian ad Litem Board and all relevant statutes and rules. The position exercises considerable independent judgment, initiative, and discretion. Work is supervised by the State Board Program Administrator.

Requirements

Considerable knowledge of juvenile and family judicial process, rules and law, and the standards and policies established by the State Guardian ad Litem Board.
Considerable knowledge of the objectives, philosophy, policies and procedures of a GAL program.
Considerable knowledge of the issues and dynamics that surround family cases in which a GAL should be appointed.
Knowledge of modern management and supervisory procedures and techniques.
Knowledge of the basic principles of adult education and curriculum development.
Skill in working with diverse client populations.
Skill in demonstrating sensitivity, awareness, and value of diversity in economic and cultural backgrounds.
Considerable skill in diplomacy, persuasion and negotiation.
Ability to build effective community relations and lead outreach programs.
Ability to develop, organize, and manage GAL program Family Court division and related projects.
Ability to plan, assign, direct, and evaluate the work of Family Court Guardians ad Litem.
Ability to communicate at all levels both orally and in writing.
Ability to relate professionally with judges, court administrators, staff, representatives of other agencies, attorneys, children and the public.
Ability to negotiate.
Ability to evaluate and write clear, concise reports.
Ability to become proficient using related computerized software programs and a keyboard.

Responsibilities

Recommend program structure, including regionalization, staffing and resource allocation.
Develop recommendations for minimum qualifications and position descriptions for GAL serving family court cases.
Responsible for hiring staff.
Develop recommendations for training standards.
In conjunction with the learning and development team develop training, including family court pre-service, local program orientation and continuing education.
Supervise Family Court Guardians ad Litem directly and indirectly through family court division supervisors.
Schedule staff, assigns cases, observes performance, and reviews case files, work and reports.
Provide case consultation and conducts regular meetings with the Guardians ad Litem Supervisors.
Provide coaching, assistance and resources for supervisors.
Participate in the intake and resolution of public complaints as required by the program complaint process and procedures.
Conduct staff meetings.
Conduct and oversee performance reviews.
Initiate corrective action.
Maintain supervisory files.
Respond to inquiries about the Family Court Division, roles and responsibilities; makes presentations to community groups.
Develop and recommend division goals.
Establish consistent family court standards.
Review and maintain statistical and other division information.
Prepare division trend information.
Administer the Family Court division budget in accordance with all applicable policies.
Reviews and authorizes other division expenditures.
Initiate contracts for services.
Participates in-state, district and local committees and task forces to promote and coordinate the state-wide family court division; recommend statute or rules changes; monitor legislation and testifies as needed; participate in division improvement efforts, pilots and other special projects.