Caseworker II

Department:

Guardian Ad Litem

Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.

As the Caseworker II you will be focused on achieving the GAL Program’s primary mission: advocating for the best interests of children involved in the dependency court system. In this position, you will advocate for children through assigned volunteers as a Child Advocate Manager. If you are passionate about supporting the children of Sarasota County this is the role for you so apply today

Volunteer Management

• Implement and adhere to all Circuit and Statewide volunteer management procedures and practices. 
• Train, evaluate, provide feedback, coach, supervise and retain assigned volunteers.
• Continually improve the quality and effectiveness of child advocacy, with strong emphasis on securing permanency and safety for all children served.

 Program Management

• Ensure compliance with all Circuit and Statewide administrative and operational standards, policies, procedures, and initiatives to achieve consistent, effective best interest advocacy for children assigned to the Program.
• On each assigned case, visit each child monthly (unless an approved, child specific exception is granted by your Circuit Director), gather information, give recommendations and provide written reports to advocate for and achieve best interest outcomes for each child, with particular emphasis given to safety, permanency, and normalcy for all children assigned.
• Attend and proactively participate in court hearings, depositions, case plan conferences, dependency mediations, staffing, and meetings relating to cases assigned.
• Maintain complete and accurate case file records relating to all activities, recommendations, and results relating to all children served.
• Ensure high quality advocacy through a collaborative, team-based decision-making culture, utilizing all members of the advocacy team: GAL attorneys, volunteers, GAL staff and, when appropriate, management.

Inter-Agency Collaboration and Community Relations

• Develop effective working relationships with all local agencies, primarily the Department of Children and Families and its contracted agencies, as well as service providers involved in Community Based Care and the child welfare system.

Subject to Passing Substance Screening:  This position is subject to passing a pre-employment substance screening.  An applicant who fails to pass a required drug screening test shall be disqualified from employment in any class for a period of five (5) years.

Level II Fingerprinting is required for this role.

Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

About You

To thrive in this position, you must have-

• A Bachelor’s degree in sociology, social work, psychology, child development, education, communications, behavioral science, criminal justice, counseling, or a related social science field.
• Progressively responsible related experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required college degree.

About Everything Else

Starting Pay Range: $21.63 - $22.93 based on experience

Our interview process could include phone interview(s), Microsoft Teams video interview(s), and/or in-person interview(s).

If you are selected to join our team, you will need to present the following items on your first day:

1. I-9 Acceptable Documents to show your identity and authorization to work. Use this link to learn more and review the different document options:

• If your position requires a Florida Driver’s License, this must be one of your documents. (Your Florida Driver’s License can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List B Documents.)  

2. U.S. Social Security Card (signed, physical card). This is a requirement of our Payroll Department and failure to provide this document could jeopardize timely compensation. (Your U.S. Social Security Card can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List C Documents.)  

Benefits:

• Enjoy great benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Florida Retirement System (FRS) and many, many more Choose one of three great medical plans, including one with a $0 premium option, with completed preventative visits
• For more information about employee benefits, please for additional information.
• Utilize our award-winning wellness program including free gyms at multiple Sarasota County Government locations. 
• Enjoy 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days and 16 paid vacation days in the first year of full-time employment with increasing accrual rates with years of service. (That adds up to a possible 30 days off in your 1st year)​​

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