Athens-Oconee CASA Advocacy Coordinator

Position Overview
An Advocacy Coordinator is primarily responsible for the administrative case management of the open dependency court cases serviced by CASA. In doing so, the Advocacy Coordinator provides supervision and direction to Peer Coordinators and CASA volunteers, and ensures volunteer compliance with agency and court policies. The Advocacy Coordinator works with a team of at least three other CASA staff, daily and collaborates to screen potential volunteers, assist in various aspects of volunteer advocate training, and recruit new volunteers.
Primary Responsibilities 
Supervision, support and management of volunteer advocates and their assigned cases. This includes duties such as:

• Support volunteer advocates in the completion of court-mandated duties. This includes but is not limited to, developing and submitting monthly contact logs, court reports, case plans, and participating in court hearings and case meetings.

• Take comprehensive and concise notes while independently attending court hearings and DFCS meetings.

• Assess and strategically match advocates with cases in a timely manner.

• Maintain monthly minimum contact with advocates, providing coaching and advice tailored to individual case and volunteer needs.
• Facilitate and mediate relationships between advocates and professionals, family members, and others as needed.
• Annually evaluate and document advocate performance in the fulfillment of their duties.
• Maintain organized, accurate and up-to-date physical and electronic case records in compliance with Agency protocols, HIPAA laws, and ensure data integrity for reporting needs.
• Identify and share information about specialized services and resources with advocates and CASA staff.
• Exercise discretion and independent judgment to assist advocates in creative problem solving, utilizing Agency and community resources and ensuring accuracy and consistency with dependency permanency planning law and best practices.
• Maintain flexibility, communication, and collaboration with other Advocacy Coordinators on day to day case management, meetings, and events.
• Must complete Volunteer Advocate training as well as assist with training of new volunteers. Also provide assistance with locating and participating in continuing education for self and advocates.

​Additional Responsibilities

• Actively recruit additional volunteers by participating in community events and speaking engagements, facilitate and attend volunteer recruitment meetings and engagements, utilizing social media and other promotional avenues.  This will include public speaking opportunities and sharing promotional material.
• Participate in Children First, Inc. and Athens-Oconee CASA marketing campaigns and fundraisers.
• Establish and maintain effective, collegial working relationships with CASA staff, board, and volunteers, as well as with representatives of the respective courts, DFCS personnel, attorney panel, education service providers and other community service providers and entities.
• Participate in Community Meetings as a representative of the agency.

• Additional responsibilities will be assigned by the Executive Director and Agency once the probationary period is complete; Athens Oconee CASA is a small non-profit organization requiring flexibility from its staff.
• Candidate will have or be willing to purchase and use own personal cell phone.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in social services related field such as social work, psychology, or human development. 
• Experience in the fields of social service, juvenile law, education, child development and volunteer program management and/or case management.
• Supervisory experience strongly desired. 
• Knowledge of needs and strengths of child development throughout all stages as well direct service experience supporting children in foster care.
• Strong working knowledge of community resources in the city of Athens and the greater Clarke and Oconee County Areas.
• Be willing to work as part of a team with other Advocacy Coordinators to problem solve case and agency complications.
• Ability to consistently implement solution based thinking in case management, volunteer training, and other work tasks.
• Foster a supportive, collaborative and empathetic work environment. 
• Willingness to learn and ability to receive constructive criticism well. 
• Have the ability to multitask in various environments.  

• Must pass a comprehensive criminal background check including the child abuse registry.
• Comfortable with learning and using new software programs including database management systems, Microsoft Word, Excel, Google, Outlook, and CASA Manager programs.
• Strong written communication skills, including editing skills; candidates should be prepared to provide a writing sample at time of interview.
• Excellent oral communication skills, including the ability to maintain objectivity, welcome feedback, calmly evaluate and make mindful, strategic decisions in emotionally-charged situations and in the absence of complete clarity.
• Flexibility with hours, including some evenings and weekends, with an ability to independently manage one’s workload and schedule around the juvenile court calendar and DFCS meetings.
• Have reliable transportation and ability to schedule travel.
• Passion for the mission of Athens Oconee Court Appointed Special Advocates and belief that change can happen.
• Desire and willingness to grow as a professional individual and organization.
• Demonstrated objectivity and respect of all people regardless of socioeconomic background, culture, religion, sexual orientation, disability or gender identity and experience working with culturally diverse populations.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise diplomacy and discretion in communication with others.
• Demonstrated follow-through on commitments, with accountability for own actions.
• Ability to sit for long periods of time.
• Strong typing skills required.
• Spanish-English bilingual candidates encouraged to apply.