Travis County TV is hiring: Guardian Ad Litem I (Domestic Relations Office) in A

Guardian Ad Litem I (Domestic Relations Office)

Conduct child custody evaluations and limited duty investigations for Family Law Court, making recommendations in the best interest of the child and affecting the parent/child relationship. Interview parents, children, and collaterals, communicate with professionals (therapists, attorneys), and assess home environments and child/parent dynamics. Request, review, and evaluate confidential and sensitive information such as psychological records, child protective services records, and law enforcement records. Write court reports, prepare for and testify in court hearings, and participate in mediations. Provide high level case management/casework services to families.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct forensic interviews and assessments of parents. Review legal documents and other evidence to be submitted by litigants at time of trial.
• Assess and advocate the best interests of the child in all aspects of the case. Attend and participate in court hearings, depositions, mediations, and other Family Law activities. Appointments continue until the case is no longer active or the Guardian is relieved by the Court.
• Interview children and individuals likely to have knowledge of the children’s history and condition. Observe interactions at home, school, and with others to form opinions for the Court on conservatorship.
• Request and review school, medical, and psychological records. Recommend appropriate therapeutic interventions when indicated.
• Monitor participation and progress in recommended or court-ordered parent education or counseling.
• Conduct and write social studies for non-agency adoptions and other court-ordered reports.
• Set hearings when necessary to report to the Court, request appointment of an Attorney Ad Litem for the children, or request dismissal. File necessary motions with attorneys’ assistance.
• Ensure required documentation is submitted prior to hearings in contested matters. Prepare pre-trial materials and provide written reports to the Court in adoptions, termination of parental rights, and related matters. Monitor compliance with Court orders prior to final hearing.
• Maintain contact with Attorneys to facilitate investigation and settlement. Participate in mediation and promote out-of-court resolutions in the children’s best interest.
• Attend all legal proceedings and provide recommendations and expert testimony to the Court.
• Provide public information on divorce, mental health, child development, and co-parenting topics to groups and individuals.
• Provide immediate service on an on-call basis as Duty Guardian to the Court. Assist parents and/or attorneys with Guardian appointments or other divorce-related issues. Refer litigants to appropriate community resources, including facilitation of drug testing.
• Maintain case files and computer records for each case.
• May assist in providing staff training and may present department and public training activities.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience:

Master's degree in one of the Social or Behavioral Sciences, Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Counseling, or Education AND two (2) years of increasingly responsible experience in casework with children, family counseling, or mediation.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:

Valid Texas Driver's License.

Preferred:

Spanish Speaking Preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Family law and the District Court system.
• Conciliation and mediation concepts.
• Policies, practices, procedures, and legal terminology related to the court system.
• Federal, state, local, and county laws, rules, regulations, and guidelines.
• Psychological concepts of behavior, social adjustment, and emotional stability.
• Local social services, organizations, programs, and available resources.
• Computer skills (word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and software).
• Business correspondence, grammar, punctuation, and report preparation.
• Confidential handling of certain health information (may be required by law).

Skill in:

• Assessing medical, psychosocial, and environmental status of clients.
• Negotiating, interviewing, and investigative practices.
• Application of casework principles.
• Problem-solving and decision-making.
• Verbal and written communication.

Ability to:

• Assess present and future needs of a child and advocate for their best interests in court and out of court while the case is active.
• Evaluate psychological and other professional reports.
• Research, compile, analyze, interpret, and prepare various reports and maintain legal concepts.
• Perform in a stressful environment with professionalism.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, outside agencies, colleagues, attorneys, children, judges, and the public.

Work Environment & Other Information

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 10-50 pounds, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand-eye coordination, and manual dexterity to operate a computer and basic office equipment. May be required to stand, sit, walk, climb stairs, bend, stoop, crouch, kneel, push, pull, reach, twist, balance, and perform repetitive motions. Subject to client and customer contact.

You must ensure your application accurately reflects your skills and abilities as they relate to the position. Work hours may include nights and weekends. Department: Juvenile Probation. Location: 1700 Guadalupe St. 5th Floor, Austin, TX 78701. Drug, Alcohol, and Psychological Testing Required. Criminal, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required. This job description is generic in nature and not exhaustive of all duties. Essential duties, functions, and overtime eligibility may vary based on assigned tasks.