GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE, 10TH CIRCUIT- MANAGING ATTORNEY - 21012825

Requisition No: 832889 

Agency: Justice Administrative Commission

Working Title: GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE, 10TH CIRCUIT- MANAGING ATTORNEY - 21012825

 Pay Plan: Justice Admin Comm.

Position Number: 21012825 

Salary:  $78,000.00 

Posting Closing Date: 12/31/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office

GUARDIAN AD LITEM MANAGING ATTORNEY

IMPORTANT! – Please navigate to the following website:  www.guardianadlitem.org to apply for this position:

• Click on the “Career Opportunities” icon.
• Scroll down to the link, “Submit Your Guardian ad Litem Employment Application Here.”
• Complete the “mini” job application and attach your current resume.
• Select POLK for the job location

OR

• Email your mini application and resume directly to C10.Apps@gal.fl.gov

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION AND THE OPPORTUNITY

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 zealous advocacy for the children it represents.  Guardian ad Litem Attorneys are assigned by the Office to represent children as part of a multi-disciplinary team that includes a child welfare professional and hopefully a community volunteer or pro bono attorney.  In addition, dependency judges rely on the Guardian ad Litem to provide them with thorough and accurate information regarding the children under the court’s jurisdiction.  More information about the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office can be found at www.guardianadlitem.org.

An excellent overview of the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office can be found at www.guardianadlitem.org.

As an employee with the State of Florida, your benefits are a significant part of your compensation with 19 percent of your total compensation coming from the benefits that the State offers. As a fulltime employee, your employee insurance rate will be significantly low due to the contribution of the State of Florida. In fact, single coverage is as low as $8.34 per month with family coverage costing only $30 per month.

While the rates are higher for halftime employees, health insurance options are still available to you as long as you are in a salaried position.

EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS:  

• State of Florida Retirement package – Pension or investment plan (3% employee contribution required)
• (9) Paid state holidays
• (1) Paid personal holiday
• (13) Paid sick leave days
• (176)  Annual leave hours
• Life insurance $25,000 is provided by the state at no cost to you for all FTE positions.  Employee may purchase additional coverage
• 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.

ABOUT THE WORK

This is highly responsible work providing leadership regarding the practice of law, legal counsel for the Guardian ad Litem, and representation for the children in a judicial circuit's Guardian ad Litem Office.  The Managing Attorney assists the Guardian ad Litem Circuit Director in implementing policies and procedures in consultation with the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office.  Managing Attorneys are working supervisors responsible for monitoring/litigating the most complex and/or sensitive cases involving the representation of abused, abandoned, and neglected children.  In addition to managing the legal practice, incumbents in this class will serve as administrative supervisors responsible for communicating with, motivating, training, and evaluating employees’ performance; planning and directing their work; and recommending hiring, rewarding, or disciplining subordinate employees. The Managing Attorney works cooperatively with staff and volunteers to implement a strategy representing each child.  The Managing Attorney must exercise discretion in dealing with confidential and extremely sensitive issues before the court.

The incumbent provides timely and accurate legal advice and representation on complex issues originating in the dependency court system.  Incumbents in this class also serve as a liaison between the Guardian ad Litem Office, the community, and the courts. The Managing Attorney works with staff and volunteers to ensure they understand applicable legal issues and court procedures.  Working relationships must be established with judges, the Department of Children and Families, community-based care lead agencies and other social service agencies, community organizations, local law enforcement, attorneys, and the public.  Work involves contact with people in stressful situations and sensitive and confidential information.  Work is performed under the day-to-day supervision of a Circuit Director.  The practice of law is overseen by the Legal Regional Counsel.

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.  Trial experience is essential.  Supervisory experience is preferred.  An exception for the required experience may be granted by the Executive Director or designee.

ABOUT THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Legal skills and knowledge of Ch. 39, F.S., sufficient to effectively represent children in legal proceedings. Admission to The Florida Bar in good standing.  Skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities. Ability to organize, develop and deliver presentations.  Knowledge of Guardian ad Litem Office policies and procedures, regulations, and the legal environment they operate.  Knowledge of current and developing legal issues and trends in child welfare.  Ability to apply principles and practices of effective supervision; plan, organize, prioritize, assign, and delegate work; evaluate staff performance. 

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS at 1-844-377-1888 on how your current benefits may be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida.  Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement. 

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). 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.