Requisition No: 852131
Agency: Justice Administrative Commission
Working Title: GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE, 17TH CIRCUIT- ASSISTANT CIRCUIT DIRECTOR - 21013580
Pay Plan: Justice Admin Comm.
Position Number: 21013580
Salary: $56,534.87
Posting Closing Date: 05/15/2025
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ASSISTANT CIRCUIT DIRECTOR
STATEWIDE GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION AND THE OPPORTUNITY
The Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office is Florida’s award-winning, state-funded child advocacy organization that provides independent legal representation to abused, abandoned and neglected children in Florida’s dependency court proceedings. The Office upholds the highest standards of integrity, excellence and child centered representation. The Office assigns a multi-disciplinary team which is comprised of a guardian ad litem attorney, a child welfare professional, and hopefully a community volunteer or pro bono attorney, to represent each child the Office is court appointed to. This position supports the Circuit Director in promoting and directing the Guardian ad Litem Office. More information about the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office can be found at www.guardianadlitem.org.
As an employee with the State of Florida, your benefits are a significant part of your compensation with 19 percent of your total compensation coming from the benefits that the State offers. As a full-time employee, your insurance rate will be significantly low due to the contribution of the State of Florida. In fact, single coverage is as low as $50 per month, with family coverage costing only $180 per month.
While the rates are higher for half-time employees, health insurance options are still available if you are in a salaried position.
BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR THE GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE:
- State of Florida Retirement package – Pension or investment plan (3% employee contribution required)
- State group insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options
- Flexible spending account
- Nine paid state holidays each calendar year
- One paid personal holiday each fiscal year
- 13 paid sick leave days accrued within the calendar year
- 13 paid annual leave days accrued within the calendar year with an increase after five years
- Life insurance $25,000 is provided by the state at no cost to you for all FTE positions. Employee may purchase additional coverage
- Public Loan Forgiveness Program
- State tuition waivers
- Child Advocate Manager training and professional certification with the Florida Certification Board
- No State of Florida income tax for residents of Florida
- No mandatory night/weekend/holiday scheduled work
ABOUT THE WORK
The Assistant Circuit Director works under the general supervision of the Circuit Director or other manager.
- Ensures compliance with all statewide and circuit administrative, legal and operational standards, policies, procedures, and initiatives in order to facilitate consistent, effective statewide and circuit-wide best interest advocacy for children assigned balanced within the unique circumstances and environment found within each Circuit.
- Assists and supports the GAL Circuit and/or GAL Statewide Office by recommending, developing, testing and implementing new, or improved, administrative legal or operational standards, policies, or procedures.
- May supervise and monitor all assigned work of volunteers and staff in order to continually improve the quality and effectiveness of child advocacy, with strong emphasis on securing permanency and safety for all children served.
- Ensures highly assertive advocacy through the development of a collaborative, team based decision making culture, utilizing all members of the advocacy team: attorneys, child advocate managers, volunteers and when appropriate, management.
ABOUT THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Self-motivated and achievement oriented
- Demonstrated leadership skills and supervisory experience
- Strong desire to learn and pursue personal development
- Ability to effectively interact with and/or influence people of diverse backgrounds
- Ability to exercise discretion, respect privacy and maintain confidentiality
- Strong organizational/time management skills and ability to meet deadlines
- Excellent oral, written and computer literacy skills
- Able to maintain a professional and effective demeanor in emotional or traumatic situations
- Knowledge of case management, social support services and concepts of child development
- Knowledge of the dynamics of child abuse, domestic violence, substance abuse and mental health
- Knowledge of the Florida State Courts System
- Knowledge of Florida Statutes relating to child welfare and protection
- Ability to make presentations to Community organizations.
- Ability to prepare detailed reports evaluating the effectiveness of the program.
- Knowledge of the operations of the child welfare system in relation to the Guardian ad Litem Office.
- Ability to supervise and coordinate case work activities of staff or volunteers. Ability to encourage and motivate professional and support staff and volunteers.
- Ability to assist in the preparation of detailed court reports recommending a course of action for children
ABOUT THE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
- Must possess a valid Florida Driver’s License
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in sociology, social work, psychology, child development, education, juvenile justice, communications, and 5 years of related experience. Experience could include time as Child Protective Investigator, Dependency Case Manager, Juvenile Probation Officer, Law Enforcement, Military, Educators, or other professional experiences working with children and families.
(Please note: An exception for the required education and experience may be granted by the Executive Director or designee.)
IMPORTANT! – Please navigate to the following website: www.guardianadlitem.org to apply for this position:
- Click on the “Career Opportunities” icon.
- Scroll down to the link, “Submit Your Guardian ad Litem Employment Application Here.”
- Complete the “mini” job application and attach your current resume.
- Select Broward County for the job location
OR
If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS at 1-844-377-1888 on how your current benefits may be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.
The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.
Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.
The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.
