Advocate Supervisor

Organization Overview

Boston CASA’s (Court Appointed Special Advocates) promotes and protects the best interests of children and youth who have experienced abuse and neglect. We train and support community-based volunteers who provide a voice to children in the court system so they may thrive in a stable environment.

Boston CASA fulfills this mission by recruiting, training and supervising volunteers from the community who are appointed as a child's guardian ad litem (GAL), to protect and promote their “best interest” while ensuring they have access to safe and permanent homes. CASA Volunteers come from all walks of life. They have a variety of professional, educational, and cultural backgrounds. They are selected on the quality of their objectivity, competence, and commitment. Please visit our website at www.bostoncasa.org to learn more about the organization.

General Description

The Advocate Supervisor reports to the Program Director and supports, guides, and supervises the work of CASA volunteer GALs, advocating for the best interest of abused and neglected children living in foster care. In doing so, the Advocate Supervisor ensures volunteer compliance with Organization policies. The Advocate Supervisor will support the Program Director, as needed, in the day-to-day administration of the Program. He/she will support the volunteer's daily work, including collaboration with the Department of Children and Families, the Juvenile Court and Children and Family Law (CAFL) attorneys.

Responsibilities:

Supervision, support and management of volunteer advocates and their assigned cases:

• Maintain organized, accurate and up-to-date physical and electronic case records in compliance with Agency protocols, ensuring data integrity for reporting needs
• Supervise 25-30 volunteer advocates; caseload size is at the discretion of the Program Director
• Support volunteer advocates in the completion of court-mandated duties, including, but not limited to, developing and submitting monthly contact logs, court reports and case plans and participating in court hearings and case meetings
• Exercise discretion and independent judgment to assist advocates in creative problem solving, utilizing Agency and community resources and ensuring accuracy and consistency with dependency permanency planning law and best practices
• Facilitate and mediate relationships between advocates and professionals, family members, and others as needed
• Maintain monthly minimum contact with advocates, providing coaching, and advice tailored to individual case and volunteer needs
• Identify and share information about specialized services and resources with advocates and Boston CASA staff
• Annually evaluate advocate performance in the fulfillment of their duties
• Apply critical thinking to analyze, formulate, and assists volunteers in recommendations to advocate for best interest for children and youth using strengths-based lens

Additional Responsibilities:

• Provide assistance to the Director of Community Engagement and Volunteer Services, with the recruitment, screening and training of new advocates and the continuing education and retention of established advocates.
• Assist in referrals provided by Suffolk and Middlesex County Courts with thoughtful and intentional matching of CASA volunteers.
• Establish and maintain effective, collegial working relationships with Boston CASA staff, board and volunteers, as well as with representatives of the Department of Children and Families, the CAFL attorney panel, education service providers and other community service providers and entities
• Other duties as assigned; non-essential job duties, non-related responsibilities and other tasks as required by the Executive Director and Organization may be assigned from time to time – Boston CASA is a small non-profit organization requiring flexibility from its staff, including occasional evening and weekend hours.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in social-service related field and/or five to eight years of experience supervising staff (paid or volunteer)
• Experience in the fields of social service, juvenile law, education and volunteer program management preferred
• Knowledge of the needs and strengths of community volunteers of all ages and backgrounds
• Strong working knowledge of community resources in either/or Suffolk & Middlesex County
• Experience working with communities of color
• Must complete CASA Volunteer Advocate Training
• Must pass a comprehensive background check
• Comfortable with learning and utilizing new software programs
• Strong written communication skills, including editing skills; candidates should be prepared to provide a writing sample upon request
• Excellent oral communication skills, including the ability to calmly evaluate and make mindful, strategic decisions in emotionally charged situations and in the absence of complete clarity
• Excellent management skills and comfort with conflict-resolution
• Competence in Microsoft Word, Virtual platforms, Survey Monkey, and Outlook programs
• Flexibility with hours, including some evenings and weekends, with an ability to independently manage one’s workload and schedule
• Demonstrated respect of all people regardless of socioeconomic background, culture, religion, sexual orientation, disability or gender and experience working with culturally diverse populations
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise diplomacy and discretion in communication with others
• Spanish Speaking Preferred

To Apply:

Boston CASA offers a flexible work environment, accessible office location in Downtown Boston, and excellent benefit package. Salary $48,000-$54,000 (DOE). Please send a cover letter and resume to hr@bostoncasa.org. This position will remain open until filled; complete submissions will be reviewed as they are received.

Health, Dental, Vision Insurance, Short-term/Long-term Disability Insurance, Life Insurance, 401K, PTO, 12 sick days per year, 12.5 paid holidays as well as paid time-off between Christmas and New Years

Spanish-Speaking a plus

Portuguese-Speaking a plus