Filminflorida is hiring: GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE, 5TH CIRCUIT- CHILD ADVOCATE M

Overview

GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE, 5TH CIRCUIT- CHILD ADVOCATE MANAGER - 21012952

Date: Sep 14, 2025

The Guardian ad Litem (GAL) 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 high standards of integrity, excellence and child-centered representation. The Office assigns a multi-disciplinary team — including a guardian ad litem attorney, a child welfare professional, and often a community volunteer or pro bono attorney — to represent each child the Office is court-appointed to. The Child Advocate Manager serves as the child welfare professional on the multi-disciplinary team and is responsible for overseeing a team of GAL Office Child Advocate volunteers assigned to individual cases.

Requisition No: 856954. Working Title: Guardian ad Litem Office, 5th Circuit - Child Advocate Manager. Location: Citrus County. The organization provides comprehensive state employee benefits and opportunities for professional development.

Instructions to apply: Click on the Career Opportunities icon, scroll to the link “Submit Your Guardian ad Litem Office Employment Application Here,” complete the mini job application and attach your resume, then select Citrus County for the job location.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and prohibits discrimination or violence in the workplace. Reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities are available upon request.

Note: The Executive Director or designee may grant an exception to the education and experience requirements.

For assistance, call the People First Service Center at (877) 562-7287, Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Eastern time.

Job is subject to drug testing under the Drug-Free Workplace Act.

Possible expiring considerations: If you are a retiree, check with the Florida Retirement System regarding re-employment benefits.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Guardian ad Litem Office multidisciplinary team, management, Department of Children and Families, contracted service providers, Department of Juvenile Justice, Department of Education, law enforcement, and other partners.
• Oversee the work of Guardian ad Litem Office volunteers.
• Gather and document independent, pertinent case information.
• Provide best interests advocacy recommendations to the multidisciplinary team, the court and child welfare partners.
• Prepare written reports to the court and provide testimony when required.
• Attend internal and external case-related court hearings, depositions, case plan conferences, dependency mediations, staffing and meetings.
• Visit and contact assigned children, parents, caregivers, schools and service providers.
• Utilize the organization’s database and reporting systems.
• Participate in internal and external trainings, meetings and conferences.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Self-motivated and achievement-oriented with a strong desire to learn and grow.
• Ability to take direction and work as part of a team; effective interaction with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to exercise discretion, respect privacy and maintain confidentiality.
• Strong organizational and time management skills; ability to meet deadlines.
• Excellent oral, written and computer literacy skills.
• Ability to maintain a professional 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 related Florida Statutes.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Must possess a 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 related field is preferred but experience may substitute the degree requirement. Relevant experience may include roles working with children and families.
• Two years of experience in a program focusing on child welfare, social services, counseling, teaching, managing people or supervising volunteers is desirable but not required.
• Experience with critical decision making, planning, organizing, coaching, leading, or supervising is helpful.
• All hires after February 1, 2020 must obtain a Child Advocate Manager Certification within 12 months of hire, and maintain certification during employment. The agency covers certification costs.
• Executive Director discretion may grant exceptions to education and experience requirements.

Benefits of working for the Guardian ad Litem Office:

• State of Florida Retirement package – Pension or Investment plan (3% employee contribution)
• State group insurance options (health, life, dental, vision, and other) and flexible spending accounts
• Nine paid state holidays and one paid personal holiday per year
• 13 paid sick leave days and 13 paid annual leave days (increases with tenure)
• Life insurance at no cost for FTE positions; additional coverage available
• Public Loan Forgiveness Program and state tuition waivers
• Child Advocate Manager training and professional certification with the Florida Certification Board
• No State of Florida income tax for residents