Volunteer Management -   Implement and adhere to all 12^th Judicial Circuit Guardian ad Litem and Statewide Guardian ad Litem Program volunteer management procedures and practices.  Effectively train, evaluate, provide feedback, coach, supervise and retain assigned volunteers. Continually improve the quality and effectiveness of child advocacy, with strong emphasis on securing permanency and safety for all children served.

  Program Management -  The Child Advocate Coordinator will perform the following duties through the work of assigned volunteers.

      ▪  Ensure compliance with all 12^th Judicial Circuit and Statewide administrative and operational standards policies, procedures, and initiatives in order to achieve consistent, effective best interest advocacy for children assigned to the Program.

• On each assigned case, visit each child monthly (unless an approved, child specific exception is granted by your Circuit Director), gather information, give recommendations and provide written reports in order to advocate for and achieve best interest outcomes for each child, with particular emphasis given to safety, permanency, and normalcy for all children assigned.
• Attend and proactively participate in court hearings, depositions, case plan conferences, dependency mediations, staffing's and meetings relating to cases assigned.
• Maintain complete and accurate case file records relating to all activities, recommendations and results relating to all children served.
• Ensure high quality advocacy through a collaborative, team based decision making culture, utilizing all members of the advocacy team: Guardian ad Litem Program’s attorneys, volunteers and Guardian ad Litem Program staff.
• Complete other duties as assigned by management.

Inter-Agency Collaboration and Community Relations -  Develop effective working relationships with all local agencies, primarily the Department of Children and Families and its contracted agencies, as well as service providers involved in Community Based Care and the child welfare system.

Minimum Qualifications:  A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice, Counseling, Social or Behavioral Science, or a related field.  Progressively responsible related experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required college degree.  May require certification by the Federal Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) as a Florida Crime Information Center/National Crime Information Center (FCIC/NCIC) operator. 

Job Based Competencies:  Knowledge of: Florida Statutes relating to child protection; principles and dynamics of child development; issues and dynamics of child abuse and neglect, domestic violence and the effects of dissolution of marriage on children; social services available to children; operations of the Florida State Courts System and the Guardian ad Litem program. Ability to: communicate effectively with people from culturally and economically diverse backgrounds and people involved in emotionally distressing situations; supervise and coordinate case work activities of volunteers; encourage and motivate volunteers; maintain proper and accurate documentation on case activity and to assist in the preparation of detailed court reports recommending a course of action for children; and communicate effectively and deal tactfully with individuals involved in litigation and stressful situations.

Sarasota County Government is committed to wellness and successful applicants must be tobacco free for twelve months preceding date of application.

Drug Free Work Environment             EOE/AA/ADA