Advocate Supervisor

Job Summary:

You can make an incredible impact at CASA. You will be part of a caring and committed team of individuals working on behalf of children and youth experiencing foster care. To be successful in this role, you must demonstrate and champion alignment with our company's vision, mission, and values in daily work actions. You must also demonstrate a commitment to complying with CASA's policies, regulations, processes and participate enthusiastically in CASA's culture of continual improvement, including support of our Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), Values-Based Leadership, and personal development.

This position is an exempt position and will require working hours outside of a typical work week. CASA will accommodate the selected candidate's work schedule for any additional hours worked at after-hour events.

Intent of the Position:


The advocate supervisor will be a leading positive and influential team member developing and leading highly impactful court appointed Volunteer Advocates. They will support Volunteer Advocates in providing critical advocacy and services to vulnerable, at-risk youth, ensuring that their needs and best interests are addressed.


Responsibilities:
• Lead a team of Volunteer Advocates in assessing children and their families to make recommendations to the court in the best interest of the child.
• Represent CASA during court hearings, staffings, and other case-related meetings and promptly, thoroughly, and accurately document case information, including judicial referrals and outcomes, in Optima (database system).
• Staff cases with Team Manager and conduct regular audits on case files to ensure compliance with CASA standards.
• Build retention by providing recognition and encouraging Volunteer Advocates to accept additional cases in the future.
• Provide Volunteer Advocates with regular and ongoing support, communication, resources, and training as they complete the functions of their role, including writing concise and informative court reports with recommendations for services for the child and the child's family, monitoring implementation of service plans and court orders, assessing whether court ordered services are implemented on time, assessing whether review hearings should be scheduled with the court, and promptly informing the court of any important developments in the case through appropriate means as determined by court rules or statutes.
• Compassionately help Volunteers Advocates establish healthy, trauma-informed boundaries so they can function effectively in their role.
• Help implement the Volunteer Advocate retention plan to enhance the experience and retention of Volunteer Advocates.
• Assist with CASA events to support Volunteer Advocates and the children we serve and maintain a calendar of events for Volunteer Advocates.
• Conduct screening interviews with volunteer applicants and present new volunteer training curriculum as assigned.
• Follow all Child Advocates San Antonio policies, procedures, and standards, and act in a manner that aligns with our mission, vision, values, and our commitment to trauma-informed Care.
• Participate in advocate pre-service training within six months of hire and then in a minimum of 12 hours of ongoing education per year.
• Other duties as assigned by your leadership.

Required Education and Experience:
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher learning in Social Work, Social Welfare, Social Services, Psychology, Sociology, Education, Criminal Justice. Equivalent, significant, and relevant years of experience will be considered.
• Two or more years of experience in a private or public agency, in human services, providing services to children and their families.
• Experience working simultaneously with different stakeholders to arrive at a satisfactory outcome for the client.
• Experience building rapport with a broad client base.

Preferred Education and Experience:
• Prior experience as a Court Appointed Special Advocate.
• Case management experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Knowledge of MS Office applications, applicant tracking systems, Internet, and email software.
• Skills leading teams, including compassionately supporting volunteers while holding them accountable for the requirements of their role.
• Skills in displaying cultural sensitivity towards various populations.
• Skills in compassionate and efficient customer service to families, colleagues, and stakeholders.
• Skills in thoughtful written and verbal communication.
• Skills in time management, organization, and planning.
• Ability to drive yourself to monthly home placement visits wherever the children may be placed, if needed to support Volunteer Advocates or on direct service cases.
• Ability to work effectively and harmoniously with attorneys, foster parents, families, case workers, children, other child welfare and community partners, colleagues, stakeholders, and clients.
• Ability to remain objective, professional, and flexible in demanding situations.
• Ability to fulfill all minimum standards and update each case according to CASA standards.
• Ability to demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills and to excel as a collaborative part of an energetic team.
• Ability to complete basic office tasks, including filing and faxing.
• Ability to process and handle confidential information with discretion.
• Ability to sit and work comfortably for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift materials weighing up to 50 pounds, walking and standing for extended periods, and bending to reach for materials.

Quality Assurance Requirements:
• Comply with National and Texas CASA standards and applicable grant requirements.
• Pre-employment drug screening required.
• Applicants must pass a Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) fingerprint-based background check and maintain CJIS eligibility throughout employment.
• Applicants must pass a child abuse and neglect registry check and maintain abuse and neglect registry eligibility throughout employment.
• Possess proof of current automobile insurance and maintain throughout employment.
• Possess a valid current and unexpired Class "C" Texas Driver's license and maintain throughout employment.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disabilities, and/or genetic information (including family medical history), any other characteristic protected by law. We comply with all federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding employment.

Texas Administrative Code (TAC) 377.113(a)(6) job descriptions for employees, directors, and volunteers.