JOB DESCRIPTION
Advocate Manager
The Advocate Manager supervises up to 30 Volunteer Advocates serving cases for up to 45 cases assigned to CASA Lake County by the Juvenile Court Judges. The standard work week includes 40 hours for full-time Advocate Managers. The Advocate Manager reports to the Program Manager. Performance is reviewed at least annually.
Qualifications
The Advocate Manager should have the following minimum level of skills and experience:
- Bachelor's degree in social service or other related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Background in volunteer management is desirable.
- Experience working with children in prior employment.
- Experience as a CASA volunteer is desirable.
- The ability to communicate with, supervise, and empower volunteers to be effective in their roles.
- The ability to work cooperatively as a member of the CASA team.
- Prior management experience is desirable.
- Experience in formal or legal writing in prior employment desirable.
- Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility and Belonging competencies such as a track record of either attending or presenting on DEIAB topics or participation in prior employment or organizations.
- Completion of CASA Lake County training program within the first quarter of hire.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, and proficiency in Word and Outlook.
Responsibilities Advocate Manager
I. Case Supervision and Collaborative Case Management
- Identifies and maintains accurate and up-to-date information pertaining to active cases.
- Delegates responsibility for casework to Volunteer Advocates.
- Works with Volunteer Advocates to develop child-centered, objective court reports with sound, actionable recommendations.
- Understands the juvenile legal process and court procedures.
- Attend Court on assigned cases.
- Follows standard operating procedures and other CASA Lake County guidelines for case management.
- Seeks more experienced advice and guidance for case management when needed.
- Attends and participates in staff meetings, manager meetings, monthly case reviews and other core team meetings and case management meetings.
- Ensure services are delivered from a client-centered, trauma informed perspective which aligns with CASA guiding principles.
- Ensure maintenance of client confidentiality at all times.
- Ensure compliance with all state and federal Mandated Reporting guidelines.
II. Managing, Motivating/Supporting, and Developing Volunteer Advocates a. Managing:
- Trains and guides Volunteer Advocates to be effective and well-respected by providing clear direction.
- Submits court reports on time.
- Redirects Volunteer Advocates who act inappropriately.
- Ensure that Volunteer Advocates are complying with the Volunteer Policy Handbook.
b. Motivating/Supporting:
- Motivates Volunteer Advocates to fulfill their CASA obligations as set out in initial training and in adherence to the Volunteer Policy Handbook.
- Assume and/or partner in fulfilling Volunteer Advocate’s responsibilities if the Volunteer Advocate is unable or unwilling to do so.
- Provide assistance when requested or determined that the Volunteer Advocate lacks the knowledge or the skill in a specific area.
- Responds to needs of Volunteer Advocates by providing: Prompt and effective consultation for case problems/issues o consistent and effective follow-through when making requests of Volunteer Advocates; Consistent and responsive follow-through on requests from Volunteer Advocates for documents, guidance, or information; A minimum of monthly telephone, video or in person contact with all Volunteer Advocates; Clerical and computer assistance as needed; Oversight that Volunteer Advocates maintain timely records in Optima (client database management software).
- Retains experienced Volunteer Advocates by providing positive feedback, appreciation and encouragement.
- Managers make themselves available to talk with CASAs outside of normal business hours.
c. Developing:
- Works closely with newly trained Volunteer Advocates to ensure strong and appropriate advocacy.
- Provides continuing education/on-the-job training so Volunteer Advocate skills become more proficient.
- Ensures that Volunteer Advocates have a understanding of and resources for the various issues which could arise in their CASA work including but not limited to: trauma, child development, education, mental health, DEIAB principles, poverty, abuse and neglect law, cultural humility, substance use and DCFS practices and procedures.
- Uses court report writing and editing as an effective teaching tool.
- Frequently evaluates Volunteer Advocates including monitoring their casework through monthly Optima reports, monthly phone calls and/or in person meetings and conduct annual reviews/feedback sessions with each Volunteer Advocate.
III. Court and Social Service Agency Collaboration Responsibilities
- Works in partnership with GALs and DCFS workers.
- Cultivates the confidence and respect of Judges, GALs, state’s attorneys, social service personnel, court security, and other court personnel.
- Court reports filed a week before the hearings unless circumstances dictate a shorter time period.
- Works effectively with the Clerk’s Office.
- Works effectively with other adults involved with the children we advocate for (e.g., parents, foster parents, relatives, medical professionals).
- Works effectively with childcare and educational providers to support educational needs of children served by CASA Advocates.
IV. Communicating
- Empowers CASAs to be effective and well-respected by providing clear direction.
- Edit court reports clearly, giving their CASAs guidance and explanations for the edits.
- Court reports are concise and well-written, adhering to the structure of the court report template and free from errors.
- Emails and other written communications are free from errors.
- Promptly respond to Volunteer Advocate’s communications, namely: o Optima logs are responded to within 3 business days. o Calls and emails are returned by the following business day. o CASA information such as flyers, newsletters, kudos, etc. are disseminated to their CASAs within 1 business day of the request.
- Managers conduct themselves in a professional, thoughtful and civil manner understanding that much of our work is viewed through the lens of the court system.
- Display effective listening skills.
- Present effectively to groups.
CASA Lake County Organizational requirements
- Commitment to CASA Lake County’s goals and mission to promote and protect the best interest of children who have been abused or neglected, by training volunteers to advocate for them in courts, in schools and in our community to help them find safe, permanent, and loving homes.
- Commitment to embodying and implementing CASA Lake County’s Guiding Principles in all aspects of work.
- Engage in CASA Lake County’s efforts to promote the principles Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility and Belonging in the workplace such as attending trainings, discussions and any other DEIAB work as mandated by CASA Lake County and finding ways to incorporate such principles in all aspects of CASA work.
- Completion of CASA Lake County’s 40-hour training program within the first quarter of hire.
- Commitment to ongoing education, completing at least 12 hours per year of relevant continuing education with a portion of the 12 hours devoted to training on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility and Belonging Principles.
- Maintains effective computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Adobe and the Optima database.
- Provides office and court coverage as needed.
- Participates as needed, e.g., participating in training/appreciation/development activities for existing volunteers, participating in activities for the training class, or accepting a special assignment outside of case management. Of note, these activities are frequently held in the evenings.
- Organizes and maintains electronic case files, updating information in a timely manner.
- Complete daily timesheets.
- Maintains confidentiality of all information and records.
- Submits to all background checks and Mandated Reporter or other training required by CASA Lake County.
- Performs other duties as assigned by the Program Directors or Executive Director.
CASA Lake County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It provides equal employment opportunity to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability, in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.
As an organization, CASA Lake County believes that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) along with accessibility and belonging are central to our commitment to carrying out our mission of best interest advocacy for children in Illinois who have experienced abuse and/or neglect. We commit to ensuring that our mission aligns with our core values, and that every aspect of our organization incorporates these principles.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $58,800.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
Schedule:
License/Certification:
- Driver's License (Preferred)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Vernon Hills, IL 60061