Supervisor of CASA Volunteers/Staff Advocate

Benefits include: Free Health Clinic for all employees and immediate family members on employee insurance plan; affordable health, vision and dental insurance; free gym membership; Enrollment in PERF (Public Employee Retirement Fund).

Position: Supervisor of CASA Volunteers/Staff Advocate

Opening Date: 8/19, 2024 Closing Date: Until Filled

Salary: This is a grant funded position; Annual salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Department: Probate Court Location: Probate Court/JJC

Status: Full Time

Job Category: COMOT (Computer, Office Machine Operation, Technician)

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Description:

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. St. Joseph Probate Court provides reasonable accommodation to qualified employees and applicants with known disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application proves or perform essential functions of the job, unless the accommodation would cause 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.

Essential Functions:

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).

2. 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.

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

4. Attend weekly staff meeting.

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

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

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

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

9. 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.

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

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

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

13. 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.

14. 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.

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

16. Represents Executive Director when requested.

17. Has working knowledge of the Juvenile Justice Center’s QUEST computer system and Optima database system.

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

19. Client confidentiality required.

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

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

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

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

24. Review all records relevant to the case.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

35. Write and submit reports to the court.

36. Attend all review and permanency court hearings on each case, and be prepared to take notes on all cases heard in court.

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

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

39. Complete work time sheets.

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND DIFFICULTY OF WORK:

1. Baccalaureate Degree from an accredited college/university preferred. Two (2) years experience in case management preferred.

2. Working knowledge of standard office practices and ability to apply such knowledge to a variety of interrelated processes, tasks, and operations.

3. Working knowledge of the Juvenile Justice Center’s Quest computer system and Optima database system.

4. Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling and punctuation, and ability to prepare detailed written reports as required.

5. Ability to supervise CASA volunteers.

6. Ability to properly operate standard office equipment, such as computer, calculator, telephone, fax machine, copier, and postal machine.

7. Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of department information and records according to state requirements.

8. Ability to comply with all employer and department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.

9. Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other County departments, personnel and officials from courts, law enforcement and other government agencies, attorneys, media, vendors, community organizations, schools, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities, and disabilities.

10. Ability to competently serve the public with diplomacy and respect, including occasional encounters with irate/hostile persons.

11. Ability to work alone with minimum supervision and with others in a team environment, often amidst frequent distractions and interruptions, and under pressure from formal schedules, deadlines, and high volume operations.

12. Ability to occasionally work extended, evening, and/or weekend hours and travel out of town for training/conferences, sometimes overnight.

13. Possession of a valid Indiana driver’s license and demonstrated safe driving record.

QUALIFICATIONS: Candidate should have minimum 2 years experience in case management in a human services setting. 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. Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college/university in social work, psychology, sociology or a related field preferred.

REQUIREMENTS: Valid driver’s licenseand automobile liability insurance.

WORK SCHEDULE: Normal work schedule will be 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM Monday through Friday. However, this position requires flexibility and may occasionally require some evenings and weekends.

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Executive Director, CASA Program

RESPONSIBILITY:

Incumbent applies state code and court rules to complex matters, discussing unprecedented situations with supervisor as necessary. Incumbent receives general supervision, with decisions determined by well-established policies and procedures. Work is reviewed for soundness of judgment, effect on department goals/objectives, and compliance with department policy and legal requirements.

PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

Incumbent maintains frequent contact with co-workers, other County departments, personnel and officials from courts, law enforcement and other government agencies, attorneys, media, vendors, community organizations, schools, and the public for purposes of executing policies, developing/implementing programs/services, and resolving problems.

Incumbent reports directly to CASA Executive Director.

PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

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.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: Up to $46,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Application Question(s):

• Why are you applying for this position?

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Preferred)

Experience:

• case management: 2 years (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $46,000