CASA Supervisor of Volunteers and Staff Advocate

POSITION: Supervisor of CASA Volunteers/Staff Advocate

DEPARTMENT:   Probate Court

JOB CATEGORY: COMOT (Computer, Office Machine Operation, Technician)

SALARY: Up to $48,253/year

STATUS: Full Time

FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt

DATES: date open until date closed/filled

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required. St. Joseph County provides reasonable accommodations to qualified employees and applicants with known disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application process or perform essential functions of the job unless those accommodations would present an undue hardship.

Incumbent serves as Supervisor of CASA Volunteers/Staff Advocate for the St. Joseph County Court Appointed Special Advocate Program (CASA), responsible for supervising activities of department volunteers and serving as a child advocate.

The role of the Staff Advocate is separate and distinct from that of a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer. Appointment of a CASA volunteer remains the preferred model of providing an advocate for abused and neglected children, and it is the goal that every child in a dependency proceeding be appointed a CASA volunteer. When that is not possible, however, appointment of a Staff Advocate to serve as the child’s advocate may occur.

This position combines the Supervisor of CASA Volunteers and Staff Advocate responsibilities.

This is a grant funded position.

Benefits

Affordable Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans

Paid Time Off (PTO) with generous accruals

Employer Paid Life Insurance coverage

Short-Term and Long-Term Disability (STD/LTD)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for healthcare and dependent care

Gym Membership Discounts to encourage wellness

Employer-Funded PERF (Public Employees' Retirement Fund)

Access to additional voluntary benefits and resources

Responsibilities

1. Supervision of CASA volunteers who are assigned by the Probate Court to advocate for the best interests of a child who has been adjudicated a Child In Need of Services (CHINS).

1. Responsible for maintaining personal telephone contact with assigned CASA volunteer a minimum of once a month and having knowledge of the status of each case that has been assigned.

1. Assign new cases to CASA volunteers in a timely manner.

1. Attend weekly staff meeting.

1. Conducts case conferences with volunteers on an as needed basis.

1. Provides support and assistance to volunteers during home visits if requested.

1. Informs volunteers in a timely manner of court hearings, case conferences, or meetings. Represents volunteers in court when necessary and/or requested.

1. Offers guidance to CASA volunteers in preparation of court reports, if necessary.

1. Informs CASA Program Coordinator of any changes in status, address, telephone number, e-mail address, or fax number of CASA volunteers and/or service providers.

1. Maintains current and accurate office data for each case assigned.

1. Maintains current and accurate statistical information on status of each child, case, and CASA volunteer.

1. Maintains any other form used to gather statistical or outcome information.

1. Assists in preparing CASA volunteer for trial by arranging a meeting with the Executive Director, volunteer, DCS Family Case Manager, and attorneys regarding the case.

1. Assists with volunteer recruitment, screening and training; fielding inquiries, reviewing applications, participates in volunteer interviews, assists in planning training sessions on an as needed basis and when requested by the Executive Director.

1. Participates in planning and implementation of ongoing in-service training.

1. Represents Executive Director when requested.
2. Has working knowledge of the Juvenile Justice Center’s QUEST computer system and Optima database system.

1. Attend appropriate training, conferences, or work-shops that will enhance job performance.

1. Client confidentiality required.

1. Perform additional tasks necessary and requested for the overall operation of the agency.

1. The Staff Advocate will ensure that children to whom they are appointed receive sound advocacy and early permanency planning.

1. Complete program's initial training session for volunteer advocates.

1. Upon initial appointment to a case, interview the child, parents, relatives, foster parents, teachers, DCS Family Case Manager, and others involved with the situation.

1. Review all records relevant to the case.

1. Participate in development of initial case plans when possible.

1. Visit each child assigned in placement setting at least monthly.

1. Visit each child’s school and interview teachers/other staff regarding school performance at least quarterly.

1. Discuss day to day functioning of each child with parents/relatives/caregiver at least quarterly.

1. Meet with service providers prior to review hearings and permanency hearings.

1. Attend Child and Family Team Meetings (CFTMs) on each case.

1. Identify whether active and reasonable efforts to reunify the child and his/her birth family are being provided.

1. Monitor implementation of and progress with court-ordered services and plan.

1. Bring unmet needs and/or other concerns to attention of DCS Family Case Manager.

1. Participate in regular case staffing with CASA Executive Director.

1. Write and submit reports to the court.
2. Attend all review and permanency court hearings on each case, and be prepared to take notes on all cases heard in court.

1. Maintain accurate and up-to-date electronic case files.

1. Assist with completion of case statistics reports as requested.

1. Complete work time sheets.

Qualifications

• Minimum two years experience in case management in a human services setting preferred.
• Knowledge of the juvenile court process with experience working with at-risk children and their families required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, ability to meet deadlines in a fast paced office.
• Ability to supervise and work with a diversified population is required.
• Ability to supervise and work with a diversified population is required.
• Valid driver’s license and automobile liability insurance required.

Education/Experience

Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college/university in social work, psychology, sociology or a related field preferred.

Physical Requirements

Incumbent performs a majority of duties in a standard office environment, involving sitting/walking at will, sitting for long periods, lifting/carrying objects weighing less than 25 pounds, pushing/pulling objects, keyboarding, close vision, speaking clearly, hearing sounds/communication, and handling/grasping/fingering objects. Incumbent maintains considerable contact with the public and may be exposed to hostile/argumentative individuals. Incumbent occasionally works extended, evening and/or weekend hours and travels out of town for training/conferences, sometimes overnight.