Advocate Supervisor Jobs

CASA KANE COUNTYADVOCATE SUPERVISOR

JOB DESCRIPTION

General Description:

The Advocate Supervisor provides professional support to CASA/GAL volunteers to ensure that children assigned to the CASA Kane County organization receive thorough advocacy and proactive permanency planning. He/she will be responsible for case assignment, planning, on-going advocacy direction and support to the CASA/GAL volunteers.

He/she will assist in the recruitment, case assignment and evaluation of CASA/GAL volunteers.The Advocate Supervisor will be responsible for CASA/GAL volunteer supervision, reporting and the essential case records of the organization, interfacing with other local child welfare agencies, providing input in identifying, developing, and implementing program needs and goals, and providing on-going stewardship.He/she needs to be a highly motivated and organized individual who can ensure the highest level of advocacy for the appointed children of each CASA/GAL and share passion for CASA Kane County’s mission.

History – Mission – Direction of the Organization:

In 1977, a Seattle Superior Court Judge named David Soukup was concerned about trying to make decisions on behalf of abused and neglected children without enough information.He conceived the idea of appointing community volunteers to speak up for the best interests of these children in court.He made a request for volunteers; 50 citizens responded, and that was the start of the CASA movement.

Mission Statement:CASA Kane County is a Guardian ad Litem, nonprofit volunteer organization that advocates for the best interests of children in abuse, neglect and private guardianship cases within the Juvenile Court system.

CASA Kane County is 33 years old with 24 staff members, 25 Board of Directors, 40 Children’s Ambassador Panel members and approximately 200 active CASA/GAL volunteers.As a Guardian ad Litem organization, we are appointed to 100% of all abuse/neglect cases in Kane County!

Qualifications:

• Ability to multi-task and handle timelines efficiently
• Knowledge and understanding of matters within families in crisis relating to child abuse/neglect
• Ability to work as a team player and interact positively with volunteers, staff and judicial partners
• Personal and professional integrity
• Self-starter who is goal-orientated and brings a high level of energy to a dynamic team
• Ability to develop and maintain relations with other agencies and judicial partners
• Support Advocate Volunteers through stewardship and building and maintaining strong relationships
• Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills
• Bi-lingual skills preferred
• Commitment to CASA Kane County’s goals and mission
• Juvenile courtroom experience preferred
• Demonstrates professional ability to interact positively in many different settings with CASA volunteers, attorneys, and other court personnel
• Demonstrates maturity and responsibility in handling confidential information
• Flexibility in work hours as required in order to carry out activities
• Problem solving and conflict resolution skills
• Page Break
• Ability to communicate, supervise, and empower advocates to be effective in their advocacy roles
• Strong computer skills in all Microsoft Office Products including Word, Excel and Outlook and experience working with case management or database management software
• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, sociology or volunteer management related field combined with 3+ years of experience

Cooperative Working Relationships/Accountability:

The Advocate Supervisor reports to the Director of Advocate Supervision.He/She works closely with CASA/GAL volunteers, other team members and court personnel.

Responsibilities:

• Assist with other tasks as needed by the administration.
• Review, edit and prepare CASA court reports.
• Ensure the visitation requirements for each child/foster parent are completed each month in compliance with CASA Advocacy and Operations manual
• Meet with other CASA team members in establishing a comprehensive advocate educational plan (AEP).
• Assist in the development of initial case plans and on-going strategies for advocacy.
• Acknowledge volunteers through the CASA organization stewardship plan.
• Attend case related meetings or appointments with other services agencies or service providers.
• Maintain a caseload, if there is no volunteer to be assigned, and take over advocacy as the GAL including making monthly in person visits as necessary
• Maintain and audit case files to ensure information is current and accurate.
• Attend court hearings and maintain a comprehensive schedule of all activities.
• Provide assistance and guidance to advocates as needed and when requested.
• Assist in the interviewing and training of new advocates.
• Verify proper reporting and case management practices are adhered to through CASA’s “Optima” volunteer database program to ensure proper outcomes of data are reported accurately.
• Ensure timely submission of CASA court reports to Staff Attorneys/Court.
• Attend on-going educational opportunities for greater education and resource knowledge.
• Complete training on CASA’s “Optima” volunteer database program and assist with statistics concerning case or advocate data.
• Attend case related staffings or visits with the CASA volunteer to ensure proper case management, empowerment and coaching.
• Perform annual evaluations of all assigned advocates.
• Assist in advocate related education and recognition events with other staff.
• Review new cases and assign advocates in coordination with the Director of Advocate Supervision
• Communicates with all advocates at least twice a month.
• Completion of a 45 hour CASA Kane County CASA/GAL educational training.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

The Advocate Supervisor is expected to have daily transportation to attend offsite meetings, educational programming and conferences, recruitment, retention and fundraising events, etc.Occasional out-of-town overnight travel.He/she will spend some time in the office that could involve intermittent physical activities including bending, reaching, sitting and walking during working hours.

Financial Overview

Annual Budget for Organization: $3,600,000.Organizations financial resources: foundation and corporate grants, special events, interest income, endowment income and earnings, annual contributions and major gifts.

Benefits

• Retirement Plan (403b) 3% match by CASA
• Team and Mission-driven support and culture
• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance Plan
• 10 paid vacation days after first year, plus 6 paid sick/personal days
• Opportunities for continuing professional and personal development
• All Government, Court and National Holidays Paid – approximately 15 days
• Hybrid Work Environment
• Employee Assistance Program

Employee ClassificationFull time – exempt position.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement

CASA Kane County provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, CASA Kane County will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

***PLEASE SUBMIT COVER LETTER AND/OR WRITING SAMPLE