Guardian Ad Litem Office, 5Th Circuit- Child Advocate Manager

Date:
May 27, 2026

Requisition No: 870172

Agency:
Justice Administrative Commission

The Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office is Florida’s award‑winning, state‑funded child advocacy organization that provides independent legal representation to abused, abandoned and neglected children in Florida’s dependency court proceedings. The Office upholds the highest standards of integrity, excellence and child‑centered representation. The Office assigns a multi‑disciplinary team consisting of a guardian ad litem attorney, a child welfare professional, and community volunteers or pro bono attorneys to represent each child the Office is court‑appointed to.

The Child Advocate Manager serves as the child welfare professional on the multi‑disciplinary team and is responsible for overseeing a team of guardian ad litem volunteers assigned to individual cases.

• State of Florida Retirement package – Pension or Investment plan (3% employee contribution required)
• State group insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options
• Life insurance $25,000 provided by the state at a pro‑rated cost to you for all FTE positions. Employees may purchase additional coverage
• Additional supplemental insurances such as dental, vision, disability, etc.
• Flexible spending account
• Nine paid state holidays each calendar year
• One paid personal holiday each fiscal year
• 13 paid sick leave days accrued within the calendar year
• 13 paid annual leave days accrued within the calendar year with an increase after five years
• Public Loan Forgiveness Program
• State tuition waivers
• Child Advocate Manager training and professional certification with the Florida Certification Board
• No State of Florida income tax for residents of Florida

The Child Advocate Manager position encompasses a broad range of consultative, administrative and advocacy activities. The Child Advocate Manager may also supervise a group of Guardian Ad Litem Office Child Advocate volunteers. Some examples of a typical working day may include the following:

• Collaborate with the Guardian ad Litem Office multidisciplinary team, management, Department of Children and Families, contracted service providers, Department of Juvenile Justice, Department of Education, Law Enforcement, etc.
• Oversee the work of Guardian ad Litem Office volunteers
• Gather and document independent pertinent case information
• Provide best‑interests advocacy recommendations to the Society of the Guardian ad Litem Office multidisciplinary team, the court and child welfare partners
• Prepare written reports for the court
• Provide testimony to the court
• Attend internal and external case‑related court hearings, depositions, case‑plan conferences, dependency mediations, staffing meetings, etc.
• Visit and contact assigned children, parents, caregivers, schools and service providers
• Utilize the organization’s database and reporting systems
• Participate in internal and external training, meetings and conferences

• Self‑motivated and achievement oriented
• Strong desire to learn and pursue personal development
• Ability to take direction and work as part of a team
• Ability to effectively interact with and influence people of diverse backgrounds
• Ability to exercise discretion, respect privacy and maintain confidentiality
• Strong organizational/time‑management skills and ability to meet deadlines
• Excellent oral, written and computer literacy skills
• Able to maintain a professional and effective demeanor in emotional or traumatic situations
• Ability to coach, instruct and motivate volunteers
• Knowledge of case management, social support services and concepts of child development
• Knowledge of the dynamics of child abuse, domestic violence, substance abuse and mental health
• Knowledge of the Florida State Courts System
• Knowledge of Florida statutes relating to child welfare and protection

• Must possess a valid Florida Driver’s…