Supervisor of CASA Volunteers​/Advocate

POSITION:
Supervisor of CASA Volunteers/Staff Advocate

DEPARTMENT:
Probate Court

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

SALARY:
Up to $46,000/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.

• 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

• 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).
• Maintain personal telephone contact with assigned CASA volunteer a minimum of once a month and have knowledge of the status of each case that has been assigned.
• Assign new cases to CASA volunteers in a timely manner.
• Attend weekly staff meeting.
• Conduct case conferences with volunteers on an as needed basis.
• Provide support and assistance to volunteers during home visits if requested.
• Inform volunteers in a timely manner of court hearings, case conferences, or meetings; represent volunteers in court when necessary and/or requested.
• Offer guidance to CASA volunteers in preparation of court reports, if necessary.
• Inform CASA Program Coordinator of any changes in status, address, telephone number, e‑mail address, or fax number of CASA volunteers and/or service providers.
• Maintain current and accurate office data for each case assigned.
• Maintain current and accurate statistical information on status of each child, case, and CASA volunteer.
• Maintain any other form used to gather statistical or outcome information.
• Assist in preparing CASA volunteer for trial by arranging a meeting with the Executive Director, volunteer, DCS Family Case Manager, and attorneys regarding the case.
• Assist with volunteer recruitment, screening and training; field inquiries, review applications, participate in volunteer interviews, assist in planning training sessions on an as‑needed basis and when requested by the Executive Director.
• Participate in planning and implementation of ongoing in‑service training.
• Represent Executive Director when requested.
• Have working knowledge of the Juvenile Justice Center’s QUEST computer system and Optima database system.
• Attend appropriate training, conferences, or workshops that will enhance job performance.
• Client confidentiality required.
• Perform additional tasks necessary and requested for the overall operation of the agency.
• Ensure that children to whom they are appointed receive sound advocacy and early permanency planning.
• Complete program’s initial training session for volunteer advocates.
• Upon initial appointment to a…