Advocate Supervisor

Job Description

Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION – ADVOCATE SUPERVISOR
REPORTS TO: Director of Programs

SUPERVISES: Volunteer Advocates and Peer Coordinator Volunteers

AGENCY MISSION: Court Appointed Special Advocates of Cook County (CASA) is the only volunteer organization within the child protection system that empowers and entrusts one adult to consistently champion a child.

THE POSITION: The Advocate Supervisor supervises and supports CASA Peer Coordinator Volunteers and CASA volunteer advocates to oversee and implement the direct service of the CASA Program.

RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE CASA VOLUNTEER ADVOCATES

• Prepare case summaries and initial case files for all volunteer advocates.
• Provide coaching, support and motivation as necessary to maintain and enhance the advocacy that the assigned children receive.
• Review cases with volunteer advocates monthly or as needed and utilize coaching techniques when appropriate to ensure that volunteers are actively monitoring all appropriate aspects of their cases. (At least two (2) of these meetings should be in person).
• Review, edit and approve CASA court reports and finalize and distribute to Court and Parties to the case.
• Attend court hearings, home visits and all other meetings as needed (either in addition to or in the absence of the CASA volunteer advocate).
• Support your volunteer advocates by attending volunteer appreciation events, continuing education trainings and by recognizing their achievements throughout their case.
• Mediate any conflict between the volunteer and the involved parties or collateral contacts on their assigned case.
• Conduct 90 day and annual support reviews of all assigned CASA volunteer advocates.
• Notify volunteer advocates of conferences, seminars, meetings and relevant knowledge or resources pertaining to their case as appropriate.

RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE PEER COORDINATOR VOLUNTEER

• Provide coaching, support and motivation as necessary to maintain and enhance the advocacy that the assigned children receive.
• Meet with assigned Peer Coordinator(s) to review cases for volunteer advocates prior to assignment and ensure that new case file is prepared.
• Meet with Peer Coordinator (s) upon case assignment to develop an initial advocacy plan for the case. Subsequent meetings with the Peer Coordinator (s) should be on a monthly basis for the duration of the case assignment (at least two meetings should be in person to build a strong working relationship. If in-person meetings do not happen, Advocate Supervisors should track those reasons in ETO).
• Conduct 90-day and annual Support Reviews for Peer Coordinators.
• Notify Peer Coordinators of conferences, seminars, meetings and relevant knowledge or resources pertaining to their case as appropriate.
• Support your Peer Coordinators by attending volunteer appreciation events, trainings and recognizing their achievements.

RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE PROGRAM:

• Advocate Supervisors must manage a full caseload (30—35 cases). In accordance with CASA of Cook County Program guidelines and procedures.
• Assist the Director of Recruitment and Training in the match and assignment of cases to new CASA volunteer advocates and Peer Coordinators.
• Participate in Volunteer In-service Training, Peer Coordinator training and ongoing continuing education trainings as necessary.
• Prepare and gather all initial and subsequent case documentation for all assigned cases
• Edit, finalize and distribute all CASA Court Reports.
• Serve as a liaison between CASA program and strategic partners – court, attorneys, DCFS and other service providers.
• Identify with the Director of Programs a specialty of interest to pursue and support program.
• Provide coverage for Peer Coordinators and CASA volunteer advocates as needed.
• Have a working knowledge of CASA Policies and Procedures including but not limited to: CASA Volunteer Handbook, Order of Appointment, Referral Procedures, Confidentiality Agreement, Training Requirements and the Illinois Juvenile Court Act.
• Review all assigned cases with the Director of Programs on a quarterly basis, or more often if needed. Participate in monthly supervision with the Director of Programs.
• Participate in the Peer Coordinator Screening process if requested.
• Monitor all administrative aspects of case management including but not limited to, reviewing case outcomes and recommendations on a monthly basis, collecting volunteer monthly forms and updating contact information in a timely manner, tracking case history information in ETO and keeping it updated and assessing the need for closure of cases on a regular basis.
• All other duties as necessary to support the mission of CASA of Cook County and its children.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education and/or Experience  –  A bachelor’s degree and previous experience in child welfare/juvenile justice and volunteer administration; Must have previous experience working with volunteers and knowledge and understanding of juvenile law, child abuse and neglect, families in crisis, and other social services skills. Previous experience as a volunteer in a child welfare setting may be substituted for volunteer administration experience.
• Delegation - Delegates and monitors case assignments for Peer Coordinators and volunteer advocates; Matches the responsibility to the person; Gives authority to work independently; Sets expectations; Provides recognition for results.
• Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings; Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.
• Planning/Organizing  - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Sets goals and objectives; Assists Peer Coordinators and volunteer advocates with organizing their tasks.
• Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional Peer Coordinator and volunteer advocate situations; Responds promptly to Peer Coordinator and volunteer advocates needs; Solicits Peer Coordinator and volunteer advocates feedback to improve service; Facilitates communication.
• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Interpersonal Skills - Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
• Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
• Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
• Computer Skills - To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of : Google mail and documents; Internet software; Spreadsheet software and Word Processing.
• Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; Supports organization's goals and values; Benefits organization through outside activities; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity; Works within approved budget; Conserves organizational resources.
• Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
• Initiative - Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance

Work Location: In person