Advocate Manager

Program Description Virginia Beach Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is a nonprofit organization that recruits, trains, and supervises community volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children involved in the juvenile court system and in foster care. Position Description The Advocate Manager is responsible for advocate case assignment, supervision, recognition, and retention, as well as court report editing, and to serve as a court liaison. The Advocate Manager is principally responsible for providing staff support to CASA Advocates, ensuring that children assigned to the CASA program receive appropriate advocacy services. The Advocate Manager will coordinate their efforts with the CEO, Director of Mission Advancement, and the other Advocate Managers. Education and Experience Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences, Human Services or related areas, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Professional knowledge of child abuse & neglect, juvenile law & justice, the foster care system, court proceedings and timelines, trauma, ACEs, attachment theory, resilience, domestic violence, addiction, substance dependency/use disorder, poverty issues, and cultural competency/humility. Summary of Responsibilities

• Advocate Management. Prepare, present and implement measurable goals related to the improvement of recruitment, selection, training, continuing education, advocate support, and retention, as well as strategies and activities to achieve these goals. Participate in 30 hr pre-service volunteer training and in-services on a limited basis.
• Advocate Supervision.

Supervise, guide and support volunteer advocates as they carry out their advocacy. Respond to questions and provide support promptly when requested. Provide positive and constructive feedback to volunteers frequently, and corrective feedback as needed. Offer and implement coaching as needed. Monitor volunteer's activities for compliance with VA Code, DCJS, and NCASAA regulations. Apply corrective actions when regulations are breached. Review volunteer advocacy activities for completeness, thoroughness, and effectiveness. Review and edit volunteer court reports. Attend court case hearings with volunteer advocates when possible. Attend case-related visits and meetings with CASA volunteers as needed.

• Case Management.

Consult with Court and DHS staff regarding needs for volunteer assignments. Assign active volunteers to ongoing caseload. Initiate notifications to case agencies and parties when case is opened. Keep Program Manager informed of any problems or concerns involving CASAs or others which might have a negative impact on the organization. Read, edit, and prepare all CASA case reports for the court. Ensure that all CASA reports are submitted to the court in a timely manner. Maintain case and CASA volunteer related information in the organization's program database in a timely manner.

• Advocate Retention . Identify and implement activities to increase volunteer retention by making their experience satisfying and rewarding; cultivating their feeling of belonging and connection to the organization; and maintaining a culture that is positive, enthusiastic, and encouraging.
• Institutional Relationships. Cultivate relationships with Courts, DHS, GALs, Schools, providers, etc. as volunteers carry out their advocacy. Core Competencies
• Ability to prepare, implement, and assess plans with multiple goals and deadlines.
• Ability to identify and communicate opportunities for improvement of the different parts of an ongoing program.
• Ability to speak in public about the program, addressing small groups of community members, as well as talk to community members, business owners, etc. about the continuing need for volunteers.
• Ability to plan and implement continuing training opportunities.
• Proven capacity to supervise, coach, give feedback, and support the work of volunteers; as well as apply corrective actions when necessary.
• Capacity to review reports from volunteers for completeness, thoroughness, and effectiveness, as well as offer suggestions and guidance to volunteers to improve their work.
• Capacity to understand regulations and monitor program and volunteer activities for compliance with regulations.
• Capacity to maintain a professional, courteous, positive and collaborative relationship with professionals we collaborate with in public and private sectors.
• Ability to quickly identify and share program issues that might have a negative impact on the organization.
• Capacity to read, edit, prepare, and submit to Court a significant amount of complex and detailed reports.
• Ability to identify and implement activities to make volunteers' experience satisfying and rewarding, cultivating their feeling of belonging and connection to the organization.
• Capacity to listen, receive, and share feedback about our program from outside parties we collaborate with.
• Leadership qualities, startup attitude, results oriented, driven to help achieve team goals. Self-motivated and self-directing.
• Interest and sensitivity towards CASA's mission and impact.
• Demonstrated effort to maintain and grow knowledge in relevant areas. Research and learn how to do new things. Test new procedures to see. Quick technological adopter.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines independently.
• Ability to direct and supervise interns and volunteer groups, guaranteeing productivity while providing them with a positive experience.
• Professional and positive attitude and ability to work as a team member of small staff team.
• Ability to work harmoniously and effectively with different personalities and individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Physical Demands and Work Environment The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle or feel objects, tools or controls including the operation of computer keyboard, calculator, copier machine and other office equipment; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; bend and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear within normal range for telephone use. The employee must be able to regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee must have close visual acuity to perform activities such as viewing a computer terminal, preparing and analyzing data and figures, extensive reading, and driving. Occasional high stress work may be required in dealing with volunteers/staff.

Pay:

$40,000.00 - $50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

403(b) 403(b) matching Dental insurance Employee discount Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Professional development assistance

Education:

Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

Social Services:

1 year (Preferred) Shift availability: Day Shift (Preferred) Night Shift (Preferred)

Work Location:

In person