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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuvenile Services GAL Coordinator JEFFERSON COUNTY Job Description Job Title: GAL Coordinator Department: Juvenile Services Lo cation: Courthouse Reports To: Juvenile Services Director FLSA Exempt: No UNION: UFCW BBP: No HIPAA: Level 3 Salary Level: Grade 31 ,. Approved By: Human Resources Managers C. k Approved Date: July 2020 SUMMARY Coordinates and manages the day-to-day operation of the Jefferson County Volunteer Guardian Ad Litem (GAL)program, by performing the following duties. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Under supervision of the JCA, manages the GAL Program in accordance with Jefferson County Policies and Procedures,the Juvenile Services Department policies, and the policies and procedures of the GAL Program,the Standards of the National CASA Association,and relevant statutes and court rules. Utilizes a variety of volunteer coordination and administrative skills to support the mission of providing a volunteer GAL for each child in foster care in Jefferson County. Receives orders of appointment for GALS on dependency petition filings and assigns volunteer GALs to those cases as available. Assists assigned GALs with case planning, gathering of information, exploration of community resources, report writing, preparing to appear in court,etc. Assures that necessary resource information is available and provided to the GAL, and that all legal case documents are made available to the GAL. Attends court hearings as support to the GAL,and represents the GAL Program in the absence of assigned GAL.Attend Family Therapeutic Court as an FTC team member. Receives,reviews and copy edit's the GAL's report; consults with the GAL about the contents of the report. Assures the report is distributed to parties. Provides ongoing monitoring of the GAL's work,to provide support,consultation,and advice as needed. Recruits volunteer GALS. In consultation with the JCA and after conducting appropriate interviews and background checks, accepts volunteers into the program, and provides their initial training. Assures that continuing education is made available to the GALs through monthly training programs and through access to conferences,workshops and trainings provided by other organizations. Jefferson County Job Description: GAL Coordinator Page 2 of 4 Provides regular communication to GALs through a monthly newsletter and has at least monthly personal contact with the volunteer GAL. After consultation with the JCA,removes or reassigns GALs from cases as needed. Represents the GAL Program to the public and to agencies with which the program collaborates. Serves on the DCFS Child Protection Team, and on the Family Therapeutic Court team, and serves as liaison between the GAL Program and the Guardian Friends of Jefferson County. Performs other duties as assigned or required. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES This position has no staff supervisory responsibilities. COMPETENCY: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate competency in the following: Problem Solving-Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics; skill in assessing, evaluating, analyzing, identifying and recommending solutions to complex problems. Program Management-Ability to organize and plan for successful project management; ability to effectively develop, improve and facilitate ongoing training topics for volunteers. Technical Skills-Pursues training and development opportunities; strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; shares expertise with others. Customer Service-Manages difficult or emotional customer situations in a professional manner; responds promptly to customer needs; responds to requests for service and assistance. Interpersonal Skills-Maintains confidentiality; and otherwise acts in a professional manner; demonstrates knowledge of, and empathy for, low income and diverse population groups. Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; responds well to questions;participates appropriately in meetings; demonstrates effective public speaking skills. Written Communication- Writes clearly and informatively; edits work and skillfully applies correct spelling, grammar and punctuation to all written materials; able to read,understand, interpret and apply relevant county, state and federal statutes,rules,policies, administrative orders, and other relevant directives; demonstrates skill in editing,reviewing and producing written presentations and oral reports for internal and external audiences. Teamwork-Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to other views; contributes to building a positive team spirit; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; supports everyone's efforts to succeed;ability to function as part of a team, promote collaboration,willingly access resources and develop strong working partnerships with system partners and volunteers. Cost Consciousness- Works within approved budget; conserves organizational resources. Diversity-Demonstrates knowledge of EOE policy; demonstrates respect for all people regardless of socioeconomic background, culture, religion, sexual orientation,age, disability or gender. Ethics-Treats people with respect;keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; works with integrity and ethically; upholds organizational values. Organizational Support-Follows policies and procedures; completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; supports organization's goals and values; supports affirmative action and respects diversity. Planning/Organizing-Uses time efficiently. Professionalism-Follows through on commitments; presents professionally in a courtroom environment. Quality-Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; monitors own work to ensure quality. Jefferson County Job Description: GAL Coordinator Page 3 of 4 Quantity-Meets productivity standards; completes work in timely manner;works quickly. Safety and Security-Observes safety and security procedures; reports potentially unsafe conditions; uses equipment and materials properly. Adaptability-Adapts to changes in the work environment; able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events. Attendance/Punctuality-Is consistently at work and on time; ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; arrives at meetings and appointments on time. Dependability-Follows instructions,responds to management direction; keeps commitments; completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan. Initiative- Shows initiative by asking for and offering help when needed. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE Bachelor's degree (B. A.)from four-year college or university with major course work in psychology, sociology, counseling, social work or closely related field; and(3)years of related experience,preferable working with children and/or families,working with volunteers; or Masters degree in psychology, sociology, counseling, social work or closely related field, and one year of related experience and/or training; experience working with children and/or youth required; experience in staff and/or volunteer supervision preferred; experience in the fields of child abuse,child development,juvenile law and volunteer program management preferred. LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures or standards, laws, or governmental regulations. Ability to write court reports, business correspondence, and policy and procedure manuals, as well as newsletter and newspaper articles.Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.Ability to lead and facilitate groups. MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Ability to do basic math, compile statistical reports, including percentages and averages. REASONING ABILITY Ability to define problems, collect data,establish facts,and draw valid conclusions. COMPUTER SKILLS To perform this job successfully, an individual should have solid working knowledge of operation of a PC both desktop and laptop models; Internet software; Excel Spreadsheet software and Microsoft Word Processing software. Proficiency with Power Point and Publisher are desirable. CERTIFICATES,LICENSES,REGISTRATIONS Valid Washington State Driver's License and operator insurance Must pass a thorough background investigation which includes being fingerprinted and recurring background review and fingerprinting as required by proper authority. Jefferson County Job Description: GAL Coordinator Page 4 of 4 OTHER KNOWLEDGE,SKILLS AND ABILITIES Ability to have flexibility in work schedule. Duties occasionally include non-standard work hours. Knowledge of interviewing, counseling and group facilitation techniques. Basic editing and copy editing skills. Ability to coordinate a program using community volunteers and the ability to train, supervise and manage volunteers. Knowledge of the child welfare system,juvenile court and dependency law. Knowledge of trends and practices in advocacy and volunteer recruitment,training and retention. Knowledge of community resources,their referral processes, and services provided. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job,the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit;use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects,tools,or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision,and the ability to adjust focus. WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate,but constant. CAREER LADDER This position is not part of a career ladder.