GUARDIAN AD LITEM, 17TH CIRCUIT- SENIOR CHILD ADVOCATE MANAGER - 21015641

State of Florida•Fort Lauderdale, FL

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office is Florida’s award-winning, state-funded child advocacy organization that provides independent legal representation to abused, abandoned and neglected children in Florida’s dependency court proceedings. The Office upholds the highest standards of integrity, excellence and child centered representation. The Office assigns a multi-disciplinary team which is comprised of a guardian ad litem attorney, a child welfare professional, and hopefully a community volunteer or pro bono attorney, to represent each child the Office is court appointed to. The Senior Child Advocate Manager may also supervise a team of child advocate managers and volunteers. The Child Advocate Manager Supervisor position offers an extremely interesting and challenging opportunity for supervisory job-seekers engaged in a career of social work and family service. This is a highly independent, responsible position focused on achieving the Guardian ad Litem Office’s primary mission: to represent every child under the jurisdiction of Florida’s dependency courts. This position works on a multi-disciplinary team that may include trained child advocate managers, volunteers, pro bono attorneys, and staff attorneys to provide the highest quality community advocacy and legal representation to protect each child’s rights and best interests. It provides a great venue for increased professional growth and personal development. The daily working environment is dynamic, fast-paced, intellectually and emotionally challenging and satisfying! The Child Advocate Manager Supervisor position encompasses a broad range of supervisory, consultative, administrative, advocacy and leadership activities. The Child Advocate Manager Supervisor may also supervise a team of child advocate managers and volunteers.

Requirements

Must possess a valid Florida Driver’s License
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in sociology, social work, psychology, child development, education, juvenile justice, communications, or a related social science is preferred but prior experience will be considered to meet the degree requirement. Experience could include time as Child Protective Investigator, Dependency Case Manager, Juvenile Probation Officer, Law Enforcement, Military, Educators, or other professional experiences working with children and families.
3 years of experience in a program focusing on child welfare, social service, counseling, teaching, managing people or supervising volunteers is desired but not required
All individuals hired after February 1, 2020, must obtain a Child Advocate Manager Certification offered by the Florida Certification Board within 12 months of hire date.
Maintain certification as a Child Advocate Manager during duration of employment. Agency pays certification costs.

Nice To Haves

Self-motivated and achievement oriented
Demonstrated leadership skills and supervisory experience or potential
Strong desire to learn and pursue personal development
Ability to effectively interact with and/or influence people of diverse backgrounds
Ability to exercise discretion, respect privacy and maintain confidentiality
Strong organizational/time management skills and ability to meet deadlines
Excellent oral, written and computer literacy skills
Able to maintain a professional and effective demeanor in emotional or traumatic situations
Ability to coach, instruct and motivate staff and volunteers
Knowledge of case management, social support services and concepts of child development
Knowledge of the dynamics of child abuse, domestic violence, substance abuse and mental health
Knowledge of the Florida State Courts System
Knowledge of Florida Statutes relating to child welfare and protection

Responsibilities

Collaborate with the Guardian ad Litem multidisciplinary team, management, Department of Children and Families, contracted service providers, Department of Juvenile Justice, Department of Education, Law Enforcement, etc.
Supervising a unit of Guardian ad Litem Office employees which may include Guardian ad Litem child advocate volunteers and child advocate managers
Reviewing the work of subordinates and guiding case decisions and recommendations to the court
Preparing reports to the court based on personal knowledge or reports from volunteers, staff and advocacy team members
Tracking compliance of subordinate staff with deadlines and training requirements
Reporting to circuit leadership on progress, issues and solutions
Administering policies and procedures of the Guardian ad Litem Office
Gathering and documenting pertinent case information
Providing best interests advocacy recommendations to the Guardian ad Litem multidisciplinary team, to the court and to our child welfare partners
Attending internal and external case-related court hearings, depositions, case plan conferences, dependency mediations, staffings and meetings
Visiting and contacting assigned children, parents, caregivers, schools and service providers utilizing the organization’s database and reporting systems
Participating in internal and external trainings, meetings and conferences
Conducting or participating in activities to recruit volunteers, including training of volunteers
Training and mentoring subordinate staff

Benefits

State of Florida Retirement package – Pension or investment plan (3% employee contribution required)
State group insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options
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
Life insurance of $25,000 is provided by the state at no cost to you for all 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
No State of Florida income tax for residents of Florida