Guardian Ad Litem Office, 15Th Circuit- Trainer

Guardian Ad Litem Office, 15th Circuit
- Trainer

The Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office is Florida's award-winning, state-funded child advocacy organization. With more than 10,000 staff and volunteers, which includes more than 180 attorneys, its primary focus is the powerful and effective representation of Florida's abused, neglected, and abandoned children. Most of these children are abruptly removed from their homes, and sadly, many end up in foster care. The Office's mission is to provide the most vulnerable children in Florida with an adult from their community who will be a consistent, positive presence in the child's life as part of a multi-disciplinary team that always includes an attorney, child welfare professional and hopefully a community volunteer if one is available, providing the highest quality community advocacy and independent legal representation to protect each child's legal interests.

A critical function is to provide dependency judges with thorough and accurate information regarding the children under the court's jurisdiction. The Office's core values strongly reinforce and enhance its mission. Those values are:
Commitment to Children Communication Built on Trust Collective Empowerment Collaboration Courtesy

The Guardian ad Litem Volunteer Trainer position offers an extremely interesting and challenging opportunity for job-seekers engaged in training others to become Guardian ad Litem volunteers. It provides a great venue for increased professional growth and personal development. You will experience and benefit from daily exposure to critical aspects of training a diverse group of Guardian ad Litem volunteers. The daily working environment is dynamic, fast-paced, intellectually and emotionally challenging, and satisfying!

This is responsible professional work preparing staff and volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused, neglected and abandoned children. Some examples of a "typical" working day may include the following:
Coordinating and assisting volunteers in accessing online pre-service training as required and in carrying out the requirements of field practice leading to certification. Tracking training progress for new volunteers. Preparing for, publicizing, organizing and conducting classroom style and virtual training on all aspects of child welfare law, rules, and practices as well as child development and local resources available to serve children who are abused and neglected.

Participating in local office efforts to develop and retain valued volunteers. Working on an alternative schedule that will include night and weekend work.

The following are desirable knowledge, skills, abilities and traits for prospective Trainer position candidates:
Self-motivated and achievement oriented Strong desire to learn and pursue personal development Able to effectively interact with and/or influence people of diverse backgrounds Ability to exercise discretion, respect privacy, and maintain confidentiality Strong organizational/time management skills and ability to meet deadlines independently Excellent oral, writing, and computer literacy skills Able to maintain a professional and effective demeanor Ability to instruct, coach, mentor, and motivate volunteers Knowledge of and proficiency in public speaking and presentations Knowledge of and proficiency in conducting and carrying out effective adult learning classes Knowledge of and proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office programs, the internet, video conferencing platforms, and social media venues 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 and the Guardian ad Litem Office Knowledge of Florida Statutes relating to child welfare and protection

The following are education and experience requirements for prospective Trainer position candidates:
Must possess a valid Florida Driver's License. Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in sociology, social work, psychology, child development, education, juvenile justice, communications, or a related social science Two years of experience in a program of child welfare, social service, counseling, teaching, or supervising volunteers. (

Please note:

An exception for the required training and experience may be granted by the Executive Director or designee.)