CASA Legal Services Advisor - State of Maine Judicial Branch - Augusta, ME

(Grant Funded Position)

General Summary:
This is responsible administrative work, assisting, and supporting the CASA program. The CASA Legal Services Advisor serves as the CASA Volunteer Coordinator and coordinates and supports the work of volunteer guardians ad litem of child protection cases and assists the CASA Program Specialist in volunteer recruitment, training, and assessment. The CASA Legal Services Advisor works within the children’s guardian ad litem services area of the Family Division and assists with area and Division projects. The CASA Program Specialist supervises the CASA Legal Services Advisor. Substantial in-state travel is required.

Essential Job Functions: Provides direct oversight and case support for assigned CASA volunteers and facilitates use ?of best practices in every CASA case. Maintains regular contact with each assigned volunteer. Trains CASA volunteers to understand the legal stage of the case and what is required of GALs at each stage of a child protective case. Works with CASA volunteers to develop and use report formats appropriate for each stage of a child protective case. Provides overview of court process and accompanies CASA volunteers to court appearances during orientation phase. Receives and screens requests from CASA volunteers for legal representation or additional assistance. Attends additional court hearings as assigned. Tracks court dates and reinforces volunteer responsibilities at each court appearance. Keeps accurate computer and paper case information for all cases. Maintains current resource information. Conducts volunteer assessments. Assists the CASA Program Specialist in assessing training needs and preparing both pre- and ?in-service training programs. Identifies areas in which volunteers need additional support and/or training. Recruits, screens, interviews, and trains new qualified CASA volunteers as directed. Staffs the Maine CASA Advisory Panel as directed. Assists with other projects within and outside of the Family Division. Develops drafts of grant proposals as directed by the CASA Program Specialist. Develops proposals for volunteer recruitment strategies. Develops proposed volunteer retention plans. Monitors assigned pro bono attorneys. Monitors peer coordinators.

Minimum Education/Skills/Experience/Training Required to be Considered for Employment: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college. Graduation from an American Bar Association accredited law school.

Preferred Education/Skills/Experience/Training: Direct child protection experience. Familiarity with child protective custody laws and legal process, including case management. Strong oral and writing skills. Experience in working with volunteers. Familiarity with protective custody issues, including the dynamics of child abuse, trauma and neglect; educational, development, and therapeutic needs of children; reunification plans; and courtroom and legal process advocacy. Familiarity with the CASA program.

Skills/Experience/Training Required to Adequately Perform Job Duties: Thorough understanding of legal process, statutory requirements, and up to date understanding of federal, state, and local resources related to child protective service. Excellent decision-making, organizational, and time-management skills. Ability to effectively recruit, orient, train, mentor, and support volunteer advocates. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Must have a valid Maine Driver’s License and automobile insurance.

Physical and Mental Demands: (include but are not limited to: )

Physical and mental ability to perform tasks in an office or court room environment requiring frequent and/or sustained periods of standing, sitting, walking; bending; reaching above or below desk level. May require ability to lift or move up to 20 pounds. Hearing ability sufficient to communicate efficiently and effectively with public and court staff. Vision, dexterity, coordination and cognitive ability sufficient to use telephone, key board, computer and other office systems and equipment efficiently. Cognitive, intellectual and mental ability to concentrate on details and/or perform more than one complex task at a time and to handle diverse pressures related to requests and needs of those using court system services. Cognitive and mental ability to direct and manage personnel and to work and communicate effectively with supervisees and co-workers.

Salary Information: Annual Salary $49,545.60 – $64,521.60, 80 hours bi-weekly/plus generous fringe benefits.

This posting will close on Wednesday, September 2, 2015. Cover letter and resume required.

Only online applications will be accepted. http://www.courts.maine.gov/jobs/jobs.html

The Judicial Branch is an EEO/AA employer.