Employment Opportunities.

Advocates for Children

Job Description

Staff Guardian ad Litem (GAL)

Please send resumes to jaime.greathouse@apowerfulvoice.org

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The role of the Staff GAL advocate for abused/neglected children is distinct from that of a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer.  The Staff GAL will ensure that children to whom they are appointed receive sound advocacy and early permanency planning. This is a regular, part-time (20 hours/week), salaried, non-exempt position.

QUALIFICATIONS

The Staff GAL should have the following education, skills, and experience:

·        Bachelor's degree in social service-related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.

·        Belief in every child’s inherent right to a safe and permanent home in which they can thrive.

·        Ability to communicate effectively with DCS staff, school personnel, service providers, and children and families.

·        Ability to work cooperatively with different types of personalities.

·        Knowledge and understanding of issues and dynamics within families in crisis relating to child abuse and neglect, trauma, and addiction will be given preference.

·        Strong written and verbal communication skills.

·        Commitment to Advocates for Children's mission and goals.

ACCOUNTABILITY

The Staff GAL is hired by the Program Director and Executive Director. The Staff GAL reports directly to the GAL/CASA Supervisor, who is responsible for his/her ongoing supervision and regular performance evaluation.

RESPONSIBILITIES

-        Complete program's pre-service training session for volunteer advocates.

-        Upon initial appointment to a case, interview the child, parents, relatives, foster parents, teachers, medical personnel, DCS family case manager, and others involved with the situation.

-        Review all records relevant to the case.

-        Participate in development of initial case plans when possible.

-        Visit each child assigned in placement setting with frequency sufficient to develop relationship and to enable sound recommendations about what is in the child’s best interest.

-        Visit each child’s school and interview teachers/other staff regarding school performance at least quarterly.

-        Discuss day to day functioning of each child with parents/relatives/caregiver at least quarterly.

-        Meet with service providers prior to review hearings and permanency hearings.

-        Attend Child and Family Team Meetings (CFTMs) on each case.

-        Identify whether active and reasonable efforts to reunify the child and his/her birth family are being provided.

-        Monitor implementation of and progress with court-ordered services and DCS case plan.

-        Bring unmet needs and/or other concerns to attention of DCS family case manager.

-        Participate in regular case staffing with GAL/CASA Supervisor.

-        Write and submit court reports to GAL/CASA Supervisor for editing one week prior to court hearing.

-        Attend all court hearings on each case.

-        Maintain accurate and up-to-date case information in Optima database.

-        Assist with completion of case statistics reports, as requested.

-        Attend in-service training and assist with coordination, as requested.

-        Complete work time sheets.

-        Attend mandatory monthly all-staff meetings.

-        Attend conferences/seminars/meetings as requested by GAL/CASA Supervisor or Program Director.

-        Other duties as may be assigned by GAL/CASA Supervisor, Program Director, or Executive Director.