Job Posting: Child Victim Advocate Manager – Guardian ad Litem, Lee County

JOB POSTING

POSITION: Child Victim Advocate Manager – Guardian ad Litem, Lee County (1.0 F.T.E.) EMAIL RESUME & COVER LETTER TO: program@galfoundation20.org

INCLUDE IN THE SUBJECT LINE: CVAM Application- Last Name

Posting date: 7/27/17

Application deadline: Sunday, August 6, 2017

PRIMARY LOCATION: Guardian ad Litem office, Fort Myers, FL SCHEDULE: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Mon – Fri

WAGES: 40 hours per week - $32,843.20 annually Vacation/personal pay provided

No additional benefits are provided

Position Overview

This is a full-time, grant-funded position focused on ensuring effective advocacy services for child victims who have become dependents of Florida’s 20th Judicial Court because of parental abuse, neglect or abandonment. This position reports to the Guardian ad Litem Program Director.

This is responsible professional work with the Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Program, 20th Judicial Circuit coordinating the advocacy of the best interests of abused, neglected and abandoned children. The Child Victim Advocate Manager may personally conduct the following tasks, or may supervise a group of volunteers who, gather information relating to the case and give recommendations and written reports to the court on the best interests of dependent children. The Child Victim Advocate Manager may personally, or may oversee the work of volunteers as they attend court hearings, depositions, case plan conferences, dependency mediations, staffing's, and meetings with the Department of Children and Families, community based care lead agencies and other state, local and private social service agencies.

The Child Victim Advocate Manager assigns tasks to volunteers to expedite casework and promote timely permanency objectives. Extensive contact is made with the Department of Children and Families, local law enforcement agencies, the Office of the State Attorney, schools, teachers, doctors, attorneys, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and a variety of other social service agencies and professionals.  The Child Victim Advocate Manager must exercise discretion in dealing with confidential and extremely sensitive issues before the court. Work is performed under stressful conditions and involves contact with individuals involved in emotional and traumatic situations. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Program Director.

Required/Preferred knowledge, skills, abilities

--Demonstrated knowledge of the effects of parental/caregiver abuse, neglect and abandonment on the emotional, psychological, social and physical development and health of a child at various ages.

--Knowledge of the principles and dynamics of child development.

--Knowledge of the issues and dynamics of child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, and the effects of dissolution of marriage on children.

--Knowledge of the Florida State Court Systems and general Florida Statutes relating to court dependency, child protection and the Guardian ad Litem Program.

--Knowledge of social services available to child victims of abuse, neglect and abandonment.

--Knowledge of best interest principles related to the advocacy of children under the jurisdiction of the dependency courts.

--Ability to communicate effectively with all stakeholders and with people facing varying degrees of stress and emotional instability.

--Ability to supervise, motivate and coordinate the casework activities of volunteers.

--Ability to conscientiously maintain proper documentation of case activity and to assist in the preparation of detailed court reports recommending a course of action in the best interest of child victims of abuse, neglect and abandonment.

--Ability to communicate effectively with people from culturally and economically diverse backgrounds, and people involved in emotionally distressing situations.

--Ability to encourage and motivate volunteers.

--Ability to maintain proper documentation on case activity and to assist in the preparation of detailed court reports recommending a course of action for children.

--Ability to communicate effectively and deal tactfully with individuals involved in litigation and stressful situations.

-- Employment background screening required.

--Local travel required

Duties and Responsibilities:

50% --Supervise volunteer child victim advocates who have been trained and court certified to represent the best interests of abused, neglected and abandoned children in court, with their designated foster or relative caregivers, the local and state case management system, and their schools; OR Directly serve as a child victim advocate as needed with all the responsibilities normally fulfilled by trained and court certified volunteer child victim advocates.

15%--Ensure the child’s assigned volunteer victim advocate is vigilant in visiting the child, in gathering pertinent information, and in preparing necessary reports with an emphasis on safety, ultimate caregiver permanency and renewed normalcy;

15%--Support the volunteer victim advocates, or personally attend and participate effectively, during court hearings, depositions, case plan conferences, dependency mediation, and case management and other meetings related to assigned cases;

10%--Maintain complete and accurate case file records;

10%--Train, evaluate, provide feedback, coach and retain assigned volunteer victim advocates with the goal of continually improving the quality and effectiveness of advocacy services with a strong emphasis on securing safety, normalcy and caregiver permanency for all children served.

Required/Preferred Education

Bachelor's degree from an accredited four year college or university with a major in sociology, social work, psychology, child development, education, communications, or a related social science, and one year of experience in a program of social service, counseling, teaching, or supervising volunteers.

*The Child Victim Advocate Manager is funded by the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Assistance Grants through the Florida Office of the Attorney General to the Guardian ad Litem Foundation, 20th Judicial Circuit, Inc. The VOCA assistance program offers funding to local community providers for use in responding to the emotional and physical needs

of crime victims, assisting victims in stabilizing their lives after their victimization, helping victims to understand and participate in the criminal justice system, and providing victims with a measure of safety and security.

The Guardian ad Litem Foundation, 20th Judicial Circuit, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and 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.