POSITION:  Guardian ad Litem

DEPARTMENT:  Probate Court

WORK SCHEDULE: As assigned

JOB CATEGORY: SO (Special Occupation)

STATUS:  Part-time

FLSA STATUS:  Non-exempt

DATES: Open until date closed/filled

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required. St. Joseph County provides reasonable accommodations to qualified employees and applicants with known disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application process or perform essential functions of the job unless those accommodations would present an undue hardship.

Incumbent serves as Guardian Ad Litem for St. Joseph Probate Court. IC 31-9-2-50 (a) “Guardian ad litem” for purposes of IC 31-15-6, IC 31-19-16, IC 31-19-16.5, IC 31-28-5, IC 31-32-3-10.5. A GAL serving in the St. Joseph Probate Court must be an attorney who is appointed by a court to: (1) represent and protect the best interests of a child; and (2) provide the child with services requested by the court, including: (A) researching; (B) examining; (C) advocating; (D) facilitating; and (E) monitoring; the child's situation.

Benefits

Affordable Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans

Paid Time Off (PTO) with generous accruals

Employer Paid Life Insurance coverage

Short-Term and Long-Term Disability (STD/LTD)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for healthcare and dependent care

Gym Membership Discounts to encourage wellness

Employer-Funded PERF (Public Employees' Retirement Fund)

Access to additional voluntary benefits and resources

Responsibilities

Participate in court hearings, conferences, and Child and Family Team Meetings.

Investigate the facts of each case by speaking with the child, reviewing relevant records and court files, speaking with the Department of Child Services (DCS) caseworkers and supervisors, speaking with the attorneys for other parties, speaking with the court appointed special advocates, speaking with and/or meeting with the guardians or caretakers of the children, conducting site visits, interviewing other individuals involved with the children, reviewing relevant photographs, reviewing school records, reviewing reports from outside agencies and talking to other professionals as needed, reviewing drug test or mental health reports.

Maintain a current and working knowledge of community resources such as counseling agencies, youth groups, treatment programs for substance abuse, private therapists, etc., and the procedures for making referrals, and judging what services best meet client needs.

Remain current on evidence-based practices, emerging research, and information in the areas of family law, juvenile law, child advocacy, child development, abuse and neglect, trauma informed care, ACEs, and other related areas.

Make decisions and recommendations to the Court at every stage of the case process regarding action to be taken with a particular child or family.

Qualifications

Must possess the ability to advocate for children without bias or partiality. Capacity to use good judgment, problem solve, anticipate, prevent, intervene, and solve crisis situations appropriately. Ability to make rational, independent recommendations. Must be mature and able to accept responsibility with minimal or no supervision.  Good written and verbal communication skills are a must. 

Education/Experience

Must possess a law degree and be certified as a GAL. Minimum of one year experience working with families.

Physical /Mental Demands

Work is generally performed in an office environment. Home visits may also involve some risks in that all neighborhoods of the county are not equally receptive to court services.  Furthermore, GALs may be the object of threats and/or violence from frustrated clients and their families.