Guardian Ad Litem Coordinator

Guardian Ad Litem Coordinator

The Vermont Judiciary is recruiting for a full-time permanent Regional Coordinator for Child Advocates. The person who fills this position will be assigned responsibility for Caledonia, Orleans, Lamoille, and Essex counties and will designate their primary workstation to be at the court in St. Johnsbury or Newport.

This position will help coordinate the efforts to operate the Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Program by serving as a regional Coordinator for several counties. This position affords an opportunity to work with an innovative program to improve outcomes for abused and neglected children and youth. Guardian ad Litem volunteers advocate for the needs and best interests of children and youth their own in court, and can only succeed with the support, training and supervision by the program. The Vermont Guardian ad Litem Program is a member in good standing of the National Court Appointed Special Advocates Association (National CASA).

The Coordinator may be asked to assist with other counties or on special projects with the potential for additional hours. The position will involve program management, public relations and administrative responsibilities as defined in the program policies and procedures. Work will be performed under the supervision of the Planning and Court Services Programs Manager and under the general oversight of the Guardian ad Litem Advisory Committee. The position will be based in the St. Johnsbury court with regular travel to the other locations as required. Private means of transportation is necessary, with mileage and expenses reimbursed at the State rates.

Compensation Starting salary is $27.50 per hour. This position will be eligible for longevity increases in accordance with the State step pay plan and annual cost of living increases as enacted by the Vermont State Legislature. Benefits include 12 days of vacation and sick leave per year, 13 paid holidays per year, group life and medical insurance, dental coverage after six months, membership in the Vermont State Employees Retirement System, and a long-term retirement investment plan available (457 Plans).

Minimum Requirements Bachelor's Degree plus four years at or above a technical or professional level in social work, psychology, child development, mediation, family counseling, law or related judicial/legal setting. Graduate work in counseling or related field may be substituted for up to one year of experience on a semester for six month basis. Note: Additional experience as described above may be substituted for the bachelor's degree on a six month for semester basis.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities include knowledge of laws, rules, orders and case law pertaining to Juvenile cases, considerable knowledge of child welfare practice and human services delivery by both public agencies and community providers, knowledge of family dynamics, knowledge of principles of volunteers recruitment, supervision, and retention, knowledge of principles of training and facilitation, including adult learning principles, excellent written and oral communications skills, strong interpersonal skills, ability to establish collaborative relationships with court staff, judicial officers, court administration, social service agencies, community organizations, and other constituents, and ability to effectively advocate for volunteer GALS and the GAL Program.

Equal Opportunity Statement The State of Vermont celebrates diversity, and is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect and meaningful inclusion that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The State does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, membership in an employee organization, family medical history or genetic information, or family or parental status. The State's employment decisions are merit-based. Retaliatory adverse employment actions by the State are forbidden.