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Job Description
Adolescent Advocate CASA of Passaic and Union Counties - 3.0 Wayne, NJ Job Details Full-time $58,000 - $70,000 a year 17 hours ago Benefits Health savings account Health insurance 401(k) Flexible spending account Paid time off Parental leave Career development plan 401(k) matching Professional development assistance Flexible schedule Life insurance Retirement plan Qualifications Case documentation in social services Family law case experience Courtroom procedure Staff training Direct support Legal report writing Adolescents Bar Case service coordination Master of Laws Stakeholder relationship building Full Job Description The Adolescent Specialist supports youth ages 14-21 in the child welfare system, with a focus on those from Passaic and Union counties who have residential placements outside their counties of origin and those whose permanency plans may involve independent living. This full-time role strengthens the agency's capacity to serve one of the most vulnerable populations in child welfare — older youth preparing for adulthood — while ensuring those placed at a distance receive consistent, high-quality advocacy. The Adolescent Specialist serves as the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for youth in distant placements, ensuring consistent court and community advocacy, connection, and compliance with CASA standards. The position combines agency-wide subject matter expertise on older youth and aging-out populations with 1) direct case support and 2) direct courtroom advocacy, before judges and stakeholders, for each youth's best interests. The Adolescent Specialist elevates best practices across the organization and helps drive improved permanency and life outcomes for youth, serving as the agency's lead resource on adolescent development, independent living, transition planning, and permanency, and provides guidance, training, and consultation to staff and volunteers.
Key Responsibilities:
Direct Advocacy & Case Support Provide direct advocacy on 12-14 adolescent cases as assigned, with emphasis on youth aged 14+ in placements outside the local service area. Represent the best interests of each assigned youth in court, from preparing court reports to articulation of needs, progress, challenges, and goals during court hearings. Maintain regular contact, including monthly in-person visits, with each assigned youth. Coordinate with caseworkers, caregivers, service providers, and legal stakeholders for the specific needs of each youth served. Assist in identifying and addressing barriers to permanency and successful transition to adulthood. Ensure all court reports, documentation, and case updates are timely and reflect accurate and current information regarding adolescent needs. Adolescent & Aging-Out Specialization Serve as agency's subject-matter expert on resources, policy, and procedure regarding youth ages 14+ and transition-age youth. Build relationships with community organizations that serve older youth, including housing, transitional living, vocational programs, workforce development, and post-secondary supports. Monitor and promote compliance with state and federal requirements related to older youth (e.g., transition plans, credit checks, life skills assessments). Training & Capacity Building Design and deliver training for staff and volunteers on adolescent development, resources and aging-out issues. Develop tools, guides, and best practices to improve advocacy in partnership with the Training Coordinator. Support onboarding and continued coaching of volunteers working with teens and young adults on engagement, information-gathering, and resources. Organize semi-annual Child Focus-sponsored youth events that broaden awareness of available resources by CASA youth. Data, Compliance & Quality Assurance Track outcomes and trends related to older youth served. Support quality assurance and program evaluation efforts related to adolescent cases and distant placements through detailed case documentation.
Experience:
Minimum 5 years' professional experience in child welfare, legal advocacy, adolescent services, or related fields. Previous experience as a CASA, Law Guardian, Law Guardian investigator or within the Department of Child Protection and Permanency strongly preferred. Demonstrated experience with older youth (ages 14-21) and transition planning. Demonstrated court and legal advocacy required. Experience coordinating across systems and/or geographic regions strongly preferred.
Knowledge & Skills:
Strong understanding of adolescent development and the unique needs of youth in foster care. Knowledge of independent living services, housing resources, and workforce/education pathways. Ability to build relationships with youth, caregivers, and multidisciplinary stakeholders. Strong organizational and communication skills. Ability to travel reliably to youth in distant placements, throughout NJ. Commitment to equity and culturally responsive practice. Bilingual Spanish-speaking preferred.
Working Conditions:
Travel required, including 12-14 out-of-county visits monthly, and occasional out-of-state visits Reliable personal vehicle required Flexible schedule to meet youth and case needs
Pay:
$58,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year
Benefits:
401(k) 401(k) matching Flexible schedule Flexible spending account Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Parental leave Professional development assistance Retirement plan
