Agency

Administrative Office of the Courts

Division

Guardian ad Litem (GAL)

Job Classification Title

GAL Supervisor (NS)

Position Number

60089635

Grade

JB19

About Us

DO YOUR CAREER JUSTICE! Each and every day, North Carolina's courts help provide safety for our communities, prosperity for our economy, and protection for the rights, liberties, and freedoms that sit at the foundation of our state and federal constitutions. Consider an exciting and rewarding career with us and join the more than 7,000 elected officials and employees who make up our workforce and help us ensure that justice is administrated without favor, denial, or delay.

Description of Work

SALARY RANGE: $58,035.00 - $92,082.00

The Guardian ad Litem Program Supervisor serves as a manager for cases in abuse, neglect, and dependency (AND) court for child client cases our program is appointed to represent. This includes recruiting, training, and supervising child advocate volunteers in their advocacy for child clients. The supervisor may directly serve child clients in cases without a child advocate volunteer. Work may include travel in the district as well as in other areas where a child may be placed by the county child welfare agency or the court. This position is stationed in McDowell County and will require travel in and out of state.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Plan and facilitate training for prospective child advocate volunteers (GALs).

• Review juvenile petitions and assign cases to the guardians ad litem. Reassign cases, as necessary.

• Triage cases without child advocate volunteers by investigating issues, visiting child clients, and interviewing people with relevant information needed to effectively advocate for the children whose cases you may be assigned to manage.

• Manage appointment and release orders for child advocate volunteers, staff, and the program.  Track case assignments and develop strategies for case assignment in consultation with the District Administrator.

• Support the attorney advocate in his/ her role by conferring on case issues and ensuring necessary documents and court reports are prepared and available for court. This includes entering records in Enterprise Justice.

• Supervise child client cases, with or without child advocate volunteers appointed.

• Coordinate court docket with the juvenile clerks, guardians ad litem, and attorney advocates.

• Notify child advocate volunteers and staff of scheduled and ad hoc reviews, conferences, staffings, and hearings.

• Under direction of the District Administrator, visit child clients, prepare court reports, and attend court prepared to testify.  Provide case management for other court proceedings for staff and volunteers.   

• Enter and review data from court dockets and Enterprise Justice to ensure cases comply with statutory requirements.

• Maintain child client files in accordance with state laws, NC State Bar Rules and Advisory Opinions,  NCGAL policies and procedures, NCAOC Record Retention Schedule, and requirements of State Archives.

• Work with staff and statewide Committees on recruitment and training.  Schedule training and track completions for attendees.

• Handle other duties, as assigned by the District Administrator, Regional Administrator, State Office Staff, or district staff.

This position is stationed in the McDowell County Office.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies:

Knowledge of:  office practices and procedures to organize and maintain the office; Microsoft Office platform; Enterprise Justice; accurate data collection and entry practice; the mission and responsibilities of the NC Guardian ad Litem Program; federal child welfare law and practice; NC General Statutes and Chapter 7B (child abuse, neglect and dependency law); court practice, processes and responsibilities; NC Administrative Office of the Courts policies and procedures, NCGAL policies and procedures, and other general governing policies as to how work is to be performed; supervision techniques and practices; adolescent development and behavior; family dynamics; trauma-informed practices; effective public speaking, including testifying in court; excellent verbal and written communication skills; and acknowledge of community resources.

Skills in:  leading, coaching, and motivating guardians ad litem or staff; organizing and assigning tasks; analyzing and resolving issues; interviewing; expressing ideas clearly in written and verbal form; managing crisis situations calmly; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with attorneys, judicial officials, local agencies, media and the general public which will encourage positive outcomes for the child clients the NCGAL Program represents. Demonstrated success with developing positive and purposeful relationships with agencies, people, and clients for positive outcomes.

Ability to: supervise guardians ad litem and evaluate their performance; provide guidance to guardians ad litem in writing investigation plans, reports to the court, and make recommendations to the court in the best interest of children; provide creative leadership in recruiting, supervising, and maintaining guardians ad litem; speak effectively in public; clearly express ideas orally and in writing, establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Supplemental and Contact Information:

INSTRUCTIONS:

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Bachelor's degree in social work, business administration or management, public administration, non-profit management, or criminal justice; or a related field plus three years of experience, with one year of experience managing staff or volunteers or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Management prefers a candidate who possesses strong skills in personnel management, organization, planning, technology, and data reporting/analysis.

Attach cover letter and résumé.

Your cover letter should describe how you would use your experience and associations in McDowell County to recruit volunteers in this county.

No phone calls. Applicants who are no longer being considered will be notified by mail or e-mail sometime after the closing date.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Recruiter:

Charmaine James Leeks

Email:

[email protected]