GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE, 1ST CIRCUIT- CHILD ADVOCATE MANAGER - 21013912
State of Florida, Pensacola, FL, United States
Requisition No: 873062
Agency: Justice Administrative Commission
Working Title: GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE, 1ST CIRCUIT- CHILD ADVOCATE MANAGER - 21013912
Pay Plan: Justice Admin Comm.
Position Number: 21013912
Salary: $42,612.34
Posting Closing Date: 04/30/2026
Application Process
Click the “Career Opportunities” icon on www.guardianadlitem.org.
Scroll down to the link, “Submit Your Guardian ad Litem Office Employment Application Here.”
Complete the “mini” job application and attach your current resume.
Select ESCAMBIA COUNTY for the job location.
OR email your mini application and resume directly to C1.Apps@gal.fl.gov.
About The Organization And The Opportunity 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. A multidisciplinary team—including a guardian ad litem attorney, a child welfare professional and a community volunteer or pro bono attorney—represents each child whom the Office is court‑appointed to. More information about the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office can be found at www.guardianadlitem.org.
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 supplemental insurance.
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 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.
No mandatory night, weekend or holiday scheduled work.
About The Work
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, etc.
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.
Provide testimony to the court.
Attend internal and external case‑related court hearings, depositions, case‑plan conferences, dependency mediations, staff meetings, etc.
Visit and contact assigned children, parents, caregivers, schools and service providers.
Utilize the organization’s database and reporting systems.
Participate in internal and external training, meetings and conferences.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Self‑motivated and achievement‑oriented.
Strong desire to learn and pursue personal development.
Ability to take direction and work as part of a team.
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 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.
Knowledge of Florida statutes relating to child welfare and protection.
Education and Experience Requirements
Must possess a valid Florida Driver’s License.
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, major in sociology, social work, psychology, child development, education, juvenile justice, communications or a related social science is preferred; 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 professionals working with children and families.
Two years of experience in a program focusing on child welfare, social service, counseling, teaching, managing people or supervising volunteers is desired but not required.
Experience with critical decision making, planning, organizing, coaching, leading or supervising will be helpful.
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. Certification will be maintained; agency pays costs of certification.
If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with FRS at 1‑844‑377‑1888 on how your current benefits may be affected if you are re‑employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending on the date of your retirement.
Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1‑866‑663‑4735). Notification must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.
The State of Florida supports a drug‑free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable‑suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug‑Free Workplace Act.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Application Process
Click the “Career Opportunities” icon on www.guardianadlitem.org.
Scroll down to the link, “Submit Your Guardian ad Litem Office Employment Application Here.”
Complete the “mini” job application and attach your current resume.
Select ESCAMBIA COUNTY for the job location.
OR email your mini application and resume directly to C1.Apps@gal.fl.gov.
About The Organization And The Opportunity 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. A multidisciplinary team—including a guardian ad litem attorney, a child welfare professional and a community volunteer or pro bono attorney—represents each child whom the Office is court‑appointed to. More information about the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office can be found at www.guardianadlitem.org.
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 supplemental insurance.
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 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.
No mandatory night, weekend or holiday scheduled work.
About The Work
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, etc.
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.
Provide testimony to the court.
Attend internal and external case‑related court hearings, depositions, case‑plan conferences, dependency mediations, staff meetings, etc.
Visit and contact assigned children, parents, caregivers, schools and service providers.
Utilize the organization’s database and reporting systems.
Participate in internal and external training, meetings and conferences.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Self‑motivated and achievement‑oriented.
Strong desire to learn and pursue personal development.
Ability to take direction and work as part of a team.
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 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.
Knowledge of Florida statutes relating to child welfare and protection.
Education and Experience Requirements
Must possess a valid Florida Driver’s License.
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, major in sociology, social work, psychology, child development, education, juvenile justice, communications or a related social science is preferred; 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 professionals working with children and families.
Two years of experience in a program focusing on child welfare, social service, counseling, teaching, managing people or supervising volunteers is desired but not required.
Experience with critical decision making, planning, organizing, coaching, leading or supervising will be helpful.
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. Certification will be maintained; agency pays costs of certification.
If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with FRS at 1‑844‑377‑1888 on how your current benefits may be affected if you are re‑employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending on the date of your retirement.
Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1‑866‑663‑4735). Notification must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.
The State of Florida supports a drug‑free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable‑suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug‑Free Workplace Act.
#J-18808-Ljbffr