Guardian ad Litem, Legal Regional Counsel

Job Description:

• This is a highly independent, responsible, managerial position, providing leadership and oversight of Guardian ad Litem Office Managing Attorneys and their subordinate attorneys located in assigned circuits (region).
• Reports directly to the Director of Legal Services and collaborates with Regional Directors to achieve Office goals.
• Represents children through a best interest standard of decision making and advocacy.
• Provides strategic and operational support in developing and disseminating training to all GAL staff and volunteers.
• Assumes primary role, in developing and distributing legal training to all Guardian ad Litem staff.
• Collaborates with Regional Management team members, Circuit leadership, and State Office Training resources to develop and deliver effective legal training to build relevant knowledge and technical legal skills and competency, with specific emphasis on knowledge of the child welfare system, trauma-informed practices, and services available to meet the needs of children appointed to the Office.
• Manages compliance of subordinate attorneys with Guardian ad Litem Office ongoing training requirements.
• The Legal Regional Counsel Manages and provides oversight of the implementation and execution of Guardian ad Litem Office policies, practices, and procedures through active supervision.
• Supervision includes but is not limited to mentoring, participation in case conferences, file reviews, data report review, supervision meetings, and other performance reviews or evaluations required by policy or standards.
• This includes supervising subordinate employees by, where appropriate, assigning work, reviewing progress, and assessing performance within both the Administration and Personnel Management areas within your assigned Regions.
• ABOUT THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS Must possess a valid Florida driver license. Graduation from an accredited law school, membership in The Florida Bar, and five years of progressively responsible experience in the practice of dependency law.

Requirements:

• Must possess a valid Florida driver license.
• Graduation from an accredited law school, membership in The Florida Bar, and five years of progressively responsible experience in the practice of dependency law.
• Trial experience is essential.
• Supervisory experience is preferred.

Benefits:

• State of Florida Retirement package – Pension or investment plan (3% employee contribution required)
• (9) Paid state holidays
• Paid personal holiday
• Paid sick leave days
• Annual leave hours
• Life insurance $25,000 is provided by the state at no cost to you for all FTE positions.
• Additional supplemental insurances are available such as dental, vision, disability, etc.
• Florida Bar annual dues are paid for by the Agency, contingent upon agency approval
• Public Loan Forgiveness Program
• No State of Florida income tax for residents of Florida
• No mandatory night/weekend/holiday scheduled work
• State tuition waivers
• Introductory training on guardianship practice, dependency law and practice fundamentals as well as best practice guidance for attorneys communicating with and representing children.
• Ongoing live in-person trainings and webinars on case law, evidence, legal writing, trial skills, and ethics which fulfills CLE requirements.
• Annual advanced litigation skills training.
• Online training academy with a catalog of introductory and advanced courses on topics to include dependency law, child abuse and neglect, substance abuse, psychotropic medications, independent living, developmental disabilities, trauma, human trafficking, educational advocacy, and more.
• Lexis Nexis legal research search engine access.

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