PROGRAM ATTORNEY
144508 Agency Name: Florida Guardian Ad Litem Program
Description:
Working Title: PROGRAM ATTORNEY
Broadband/Class Code: 848700
Position Number: 21012970
Annual Salary Range: $41,267.77
Announcement Type: Open Competitive
City: SANFORD
Facility:
Pay Grade/ Pay Band: 84123
Closing Date: 2/1/2012
The State Personnel System is an E-Verify employer. For more information click on our E-Verify website.
This agency is NOT accepting internet applications via the submit button. Please mail or fax a completed State of Florida Employment Application directly to the following address:
Florida Guardian ad Litem Office
Attn: Tina Hill, Administrative Liaison
190 Bush Boulevard
Sanford, Florida 32773
Phone:
Fax:
Provided below is a link to a printable State of Florida Job Application (PDF version) />
A background check is required for this position. If you need an accommodation because of disability in order to participate in the application/selection process, please notify the contact person in advance. We hire only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers. Statewide Guardian ad Litem is an Equal Employment Opportunity, Affirmative Action, Drug Free Workplace employer.
The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.
Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.
The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.
Special Notes
This is a highly responsible professional position, reporting directly to the Supervising Attorney for your Circuit for all activities related to the practice of law; and also working under the administrative supervision of, and in full collaboration with, the Program/Circuit Director to achieve the Guardian ad Litem Program’s primary mission in advocating for the best interests of children involved in the dependency court system.
Duties to include, but not limited to:
Ensures full compliance with all Florida Bar and Statewide GAL Program standards, policies and procedures.
On each case assigned, analyzes all fact patterns, researches appropriate law, develops and recommends appropriate legal strategy, prepares appropriate legal pleadings, and advocates and negotiates effectively in and out of the court room in order to achieve best interest outcomes for each child, with particular emphasis given to safety, permanency, and normalcy for all children assigned.
This position requires 25% travel in advocating for the best interest of children. Conducts discovery, files motions and pleadings, presents testimony, prepares witnesses, makes objections, participates in mediations, files and presents reports and recommendations to the court, and advocates for the child’s best interests in hearings, trials, depositions, mediations and staffings.
Works with the Supervising Attorney and Program/Circuit Director to ensure highly assertive, best interest legal advocacy through continued development of a Circuit-wide collaborative, team based decision making culture, utilizing all members of the advocacy team: attorneys, case coordinators, volunteers and when appropriate, management.
Identifies, prepares and coordinates evidence and witnesses on assigned cases to ensure assertive best interest advocacy.
Participates in ongoing training and continuing education necessary for professional development.
Accomplishes other duties as assigned by management.
Assists Circuit Director in assessing effective training, evaluation, coaching and supervision of volunteers as requested. Special emphasis should be given to assisting and supporting Program/Circuit Director in training volunteers as effective fact gatherers and courtroom advocates.
The incumbent for this position must have a Law degree from an ABA Accredited Law School, be an active member in good standing with the Florida Bar, experience with Child Advocacy or Dependency Law preferred and minimum one (1) year court experience.
A background check is required for this position. If you need an accommodation because of disability in order to participate in the application/selection process, please notify Tina Hill, Administrative Liaison in advance. We hire only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers. Statewide Guardian ad Litem is an Equal Employment Opportunity, Affirmative Action, Drug Free Workplace employer.
