Guardian Ad Litem II- Domestic Relations Office

Travis County•Texas, TX

7h•Onsite

About The Position

This position is located within the Domestic Relations Office division and investigates and protects the best interest of the children for whom the District Court appoints a Guardian Ad Litem. Appointments may occur by individual Court order or by the Local Rules of Civil Procedure in the following types of cases: terminations, adoptions, divorces, modifications, protective orders, suits affecting the parent-child relationship, habeas corpus, paternity and other similar cases involving the care and custody of children. This is the second in a series of three guardian-related job classifications within the Courts job family. This classification investigates and protects the best interest of the children for whom the District Court appoints a Guardian Ad Litem. Duties performed are initially of a moderately complex nature and type within the scope of Guardian Ad Litem duties and then advance to the fully functioning complex level of Guardian duties. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

Requirements

Master's degree in one of the Social or Behavioral Sciences, Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Counseling
Three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in casework with children, family counseling or mediation.
Valid Texas Driver's License.

Nice To Haves

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Responsibilities

Conducts forensic interviews and assessments of parents.
Reviews legal documents and other forms of written or tangible items of evidence to be submitted by litigants at time of trial.
Assesses and advocates the best interest of the child for who appointed in all aspects of the case, including all legal proceedings.
Attends and participates in court hearing, depositions, mediations and any other activities associated with a Family Law matter to which a Guardian Ad Litem has been assigned.
Interviews the children and each individual that the Guardian considers likely to have significant knowledge of the children's history and condition.
Observes the children interacting at each home and at school and with any other individuals involved in the case in order to form an opinion for the Court in answering questions of conservatorship.
Requests and reviews school, medical and psychological records on parents and children.
Recommends appropriate therapeutic intervention where indicated.
Monitors participation and progress in recommended or court-ordered parent education or counseling.
Conducts and writes social studies for non-agency adoptions and other reports as directed by Court order.
Sets hearings when necessary to report to the Court, to request the appointment of an Attorney Ad Litem for the children, or to request dismissal from a case.
Files necessary motions, with the assistance of attorneys.
Ensures that all required documentation is submitted prior to hearing of uncontested adoption or termination cases.
Sets disputed matters for pre-trial.
Provides written reports to the Court in adoptions, termination of parental rights suits and any other suit affecting the parent-child relationship.
Monitors compliance with Court orders prior to final hearing.
Maintains contact with Attorneys to facilitate investigation and settlement of cases.
Participates in mediation and promotes out-of-court resolution of issues whenever possible and in the children's best interest.
Attends all legal proceedings and provides recommendations and expert testimony to the Court.
Provides public information on divorce, mental health, child development and co-parenting topics to groups and individuals.
Provides immediate service on an on-call basis as Duty Guardian to the Court.
Assists parents and/or attorneys who walk in with request for Guardian appointment or other divorce-related issues.
Refers litigants to appropriate community resources, including facilitation of drug testing.
Maintains case files and computer records on each case.
May assist in providing training of staff and may present department and general public training activities.
Performs other job-related duties as assigned.