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GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE, 15TH CIRCUIT- CHILD ADVOCATE MANAGER - 21012830

Myflfamilies, West Palm Beach, FL, United States


GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE, 15TH CIRCUIT- CHILD ADVOCATE MANAGER - 21012830 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. The Office assigns a multi‑disciplinary team comprised of a guardian ad litem attorney, a child welfare professional, and (ideally) 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 guardian ad litem volunteers that are assigned to serve on individual cases. More information about the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office can be found at www.guardianadlitem.org.

BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR THE GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE

State of Florida Retirement package – Pension or Investment plan (3% employee contribution required)

State group insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options

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 is 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

ABOUT THE WORK The Child Advocate Manager position encompasses a broad range of consultative, administrative and advocacy activities. The Child Advocate Manager may also supervise a group of Guardian Ad Litem Office Child Advocate volunteers. Some examples of a “typical” working day may include the following:

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 Guardian ad Litem Office multidisciplinary team, to the court, and to our 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, and related events.

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.

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

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 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

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 is preferred but prior experience will be considered to meet the degree requirement. Experience could include time as a Child Protective Investigator, Dependency Case Manager, Juvenile Probation Officer, Law Enforcement, Military, Educators, or other professional experiences 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 to a successful candidate.

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 Child Advocate Manager certification during the duration of employment. Agency pays costs of certification.

(Please note: The Executive Director or designee may grant an exception for the required education and experience.)

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 to the hiring authority 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.

Location: WEST PALM BEACH, FL, US, 33401; DELRAY BEACH, FL, US, 33444

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. Pursuant to Florida Law, 110.211 F.S., the State of Florida is an EEO employer.

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