Closing Date: 1st July, 2024
Description:
Class Summary:The Department of Child Advocacy and Juvenile Services provides zealous legal representation for children in order to advocate for their legal rights and best interests; volunteer oversight for children in foster care by collaborating with multi-disciplinary stakeholders; and supervision for youthful offenders utilizing the least restrictive interventions that do not compromise public safety. The office dedicates itself to achieving excellence in quality representation and effective advocacy.
Job Description:
The Guardian ad Litem position is a great opportunity for an attorney interested in applying and expanding their knowledge and skills in the field of child welfare law while providing legal representation and advocacy for children alleged to have been abused or neglected, children who are the subject of custody disputes, and other child welfare matters.
Essential Duties:
The incumbent will be responsible for conducting an independent investigation regarding the best interest of the client and making recommendations to the court. The incumbent may also be responsible for client-directed advocacy. The incumbent may have the opportunity to represent the best interests of children involved in delinquency, CHINS, and guardianship matters.
Grade
The grade for this position is 105 or 106. Salary will be dependent on education and experience.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Juris Doctorate
- Member in good standing of the Georgia Bar
- Admitted to practice in the United States District Court, Supreme Court of Georgia, Court of Appeals, Superior Courts of Georgia, and other courts as necessary
- Experience in child welfare and family law or equivalent training
- Valid driver's license
- Excellent writing and oral advocacy skills
- Meet the statutory requirements of being a Guardian ad Litem
- An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above will also be considered.
- Additional requirements such as management/supervisory experience, licenses, and/or certifications
Preferred Qualifications in addition to the above minimum qualifications
- Child Welfare Law Specialist certification or significant concentration in the study of Child Welfare Law
- Experience interviewing children and adolescents
Other Job Requirements/Information
- This job requires a background check to include motor vehicle histories, criminal histories, credit check, and fingerprinting.
- This job is eligible for a hybrid telework schedule after an initial probationary period of 90 days and individual approval.
- Knowledge and application of:
- applicable laws, rules, and regulations regarding child welfare and family law
- court procedures
- research methods
- Skilled in:
- operating a computer and applicable software
- analyzing complex information
- mediating conflict
- preparing legal documents
- conducting trials, hearings and proceedings
- conducting legal research
- communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interactions with clients, coworkers, supervisor, the public, bench, bar, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and receive work direction
