CASA Supervisor | Direct Serve

Dallas CASA seeks two CASA supervisors whose work will be focused primarily on direct service to children when volunteer advocates are not assigned. The role will involve advocating for children who reside locally or in areas requiring travel, and in any active legal stage, including those with more frequent court hearings.

POSITION SUMMARY

When assigned to a child for whom there is not also an assigned volunteer advocate, the CASA Supervisor will carry out all case supervision and child advocacy duties. When a volunteer advocate is assigned, the CASA Supervisor will motivate, empower, guide and supervise CASA volunteers as they advocate for the best interest of child victims of abuse and neglect in protective care. They will assist and accompany volunteer advocates in performing their duties and will stand in for volunteers in their absence, as needed. In either role, and at all times, the CASA Supervisor will maintain a primary focus on the safety and well-being of children served by Dallas CASA and ensure that the CASA mission is carried out. Children served by Dallas CASA may reside locally or in residences requiring travel. Their cases in court may be in any active legal stage.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Volunteer Supervision Duties

• Supervise volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates for children served by Dallas CASA.
• Coach and encourage advocates to become effective in the role of volunteering, including preparing volunteer advocates for court hearings by reviewing and helping to write court reports, devising strategy and organizing testimony.
• Ensure that advocates are aware of and in compliance with all current Dallas CASA policies.
• Accompany advocates to initial case events, such as first visits to children in placement and supervised parent-child visits or stand in for them as needed.
• Accompany advocates to visits with prospective placement providers and to court hearings and mediated settlement conferences or stand in for them as needed.
• Accompany advocates to interviews of family members, prospective kinship placements and other case events, or stand in for them as needed.
• Assist advocates in the identification and recommendation of resources and courses of action that promote safety, best interest, permanency, and well-being for each assigned child.

Case Supervision Duties

• Prepare and file court reports for all court hearings.
• Attend and participate in case-related events, including, but not limited to, placement visits (observe children and their living arrangements) and supervised parent-child visits, family and extended family interviews, court hearings, parent-child visits, mediated settlement conferences, and other meetings.
• Identify and recommend resources and courses of action that promote safety, best interest, permanency, and well-being for each assigned child.
• Directly advocate for Youth in protective custody when a volunteer is not assigned by carrying out all case-related duties, responsibilities and activities.

Agency Duties

• Ensure that Dallas CASA, Texas CASA, and National CASA/GAL Association requirements are met in each assigned case, and that required indicators of compliance are documented in an accurate and timely manner.
• Maintain a professional demeanor that promotes community respect for Dallas CASA, as well as productive stakeholder relationships.
• Work collaboratively with team members and other staff, and offer support by covering hearings and other appointments, suggesting resources and perspectives, and participating in projects that promote agency morale and effectiveness.
• Participate in Dallas CASA’s pre-service training for advocates. At a minimum, facilitate or assist with two training sessions each year.
• Participate in Dallas CASA’s continuing education program for advocates.
• Promote, protect, and maintain confidentiality of child- and case-related information.
• Must be able to attend and support special events and attend staff meetings.
• In accordance with the Dallas CASA team philosophy, the incumbent may occasionally be required to carry out or assist with other tasks in addition to the duties listed on this job description.

Professional Development

• In collaboration with the supervising Team Lead, create and follow through with quarterly development plan progress and review .
• In accordance with local and national CASA/GAL standards, the incumbent is required to complete a minimum of 12-hours of continuing education including but not limited to child welfare law and legal process, trauma-informed care, the nature and effects of child abuse and neglect, the background and needs of children served, child development, the importance of family reunification when appropriate, the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and other relevant subjects.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field, required.
• Master’s degree in social work or related field, preferred.
• Two-three years of professional experience in a role in human services, or extensive volunteer experience, required.
• Working knowledge of the juvenile and child welfare system or social services, a plus.
• Experience in staff or volunteer supervision.
• Demonstrated project management skills, required.
• Demonstrated ability to write clear and concise reports needed for court reports and correspondence.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of Microsoft Office, specifically with Word.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated openness, inclusiveness, and sensitivity toward those from different cultural backgrounds, and the ability to interact respectfully with all people.
• Ability to maintain the highest levels of confidentiality when dealing with proprietary, volunteer, donor, client, and staff information as well as sensitive situations.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

This position is responsible for supervising Dallas CASA volunteers.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Position requires the ability to lift 35 pounds minimum for lifting files and office supplies, opening filing cabinets and transporting materials to and from meetings, presentations and to other locations as needed.
• Intermittent physical activities which included driving, bending, reaching, sitting, climbing steps, and walking during working hours.

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

This is a full-time position of 40 hours per week. Our building is open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. In consultation with your Team Lead/Supervisor, your normal schedule should begin between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and should reflect eight hours of work daily in addition to your lunch break. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand. Please see the Remote Working Section of the Employee Handbook for eligibility and conditions associated with the option to work remotely.

TRAVEL

This position may require some travel. You must have reliable transportation, maintain a current valid Texas driver's license and $100,000/$300,000 automobile liability insurance for travel to and from meetings and presentations.