Guardian Ad Litem Child Advocate Manager

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
The Guardian ad Litem Program is Florida's award winning, state-funded, child advocacy organization. With more than 10,000 volunteers and 900 employees, its primary focus is powerful and effective "best interests" advocacy for Florida's abused, neglected and abandoned children. Most of these children are abruptly removed from their homes and sadly end up in out of home care. The Program's mission - "FOR CHILDREN" - is achieved through operating an innovative partnership of local community volunteer advocates and professional staff. Utilizing a unique "child advocacy team" approach, the Program strives to ensure that all dependent children receive quality legal representation, a safe place to live and increased focus on their physical, educational and emotional needs. The Program's core values strongly reinforce and enhance its mission. Those values are:

• Commitment to Children
• Communication Built on Trust
• Collective Empowerment
• Collaboration
• Courtesy

An excellent overview of the Guardian ad Litem Program can be found at the WWW.GUARDIANADLITEM.ORG website.
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
The Child Advocate Manager I position offers an extremely interesting and challenging opportunity for job-seekers engaged in a career of social work and family service. It provides a great venue for increased professional growth and personal development. You will experience and benefit from significant exposure to critical aspects of child/family crisis intervention, partnering with community-based support service agencies, attorneys and legal "best interests" advocacy, knowledge of Florida statutes governing child welfare, and coaching and consulting with locally-recruited, Child Advocate volunteers. The daily working environment is dynamic, fast-paced, intellectually and emotionally challenging and satisfying! The Guardian ad Litem Program offers excellent benefits, affordable health insurance plans and options, sick and annual leave policies, free life insurance, a tuition waiver program, holiday schedule and qualified participation in the Florida Retirement System (FRS).
ABOUT THE WORK
The Child Advocate Manager I position encompasses a broad range of managerial, consultative, administrative, advocacy and leadership activities. The Child Advocate Manager may also supervise a group of GAL Child Advocate volunteers. Some examples of a "typical" working day may include the following:

• Consulting with assistant Child Advocate Managers and members of the child advocacy team
• Overseeing the work of GAL Child Advocate volunteers
• Gathering and documenting pertinent case information
• Providing best interests advocacy recommendations to the advocacy team or to the court
• Preparing written reports to the court
• Attending internal and external case-related court hearings, depositions, case plan conferences, dependency mediations, staffings and meetings
• Visiting or consulting with assigned caseload children, caregivers, schools or service providers
• Utilizing the organization's database and reporting systems
• Participating in internal and external training, meetings and conferences

Please click HERE for complete job description.

ABOUT THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
The following are desirable knowledge, skills, abilities and traits for prospective Child Advocate Manager I position candidates:

• Self-motivated and achievement oriented
• Strong desire to learn and pursue personal development
• Ability to take direction and work as part of a team
• Able 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 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

ABOUT THE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
The following are education and experience requirements for prospective Child Advocate Manager position candidates:

• 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
• Two years of experience in a program focusing on child welfare, social service, counseling, teaching, or supervising volunteers
• 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 during the duration of employment.

(Please note: The Executive Director or designee may grant an exception for the required education and experience.) Employment Type: Full-Time (Hourly)