Guardian Ad Litem II- Domestic Relations Office

Travis County; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 58,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Travis County in Austin, TX seeks a Guardian Ad Litem to investigate and protect the best interests of children in family law matters. This role participates in court hearings, reviews records, and advocates for the child in complex proceedings while maintaining confidentiality and teamwork with attorneys and courts.

The position requires a Master’s degree in a relevant field and at least three years of related casework.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in one of the Social or Behavioral Sciences, Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Counseling and three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in casework with children, family counseling or mediation.
• Valid Texas Driver’s License.

Responsibilities

• Conduct forensic interviews and assessments of parents and review legal documents submitted by litigants.
• Assess and advocate the best interest of the child in all aspects of the case and attend court hearings, depositions and mediations.
• Interview the children and others who may have knowledge of the case to form opinions for the Court.
• Review school, medical and psychological records and recommend appropriate interventions.

Skills

Driver's license

Education

Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology or related field

Job description

Job Summary

Are you looking for career opportunities that provide top‑notch benefits, including paid vacation and sick leave, parental leave, outstanding health, vision, and dental insurance, a free health clinic for you and your dependents, a generous retirement plan, and much more? Then bring your talents to Travis County!

This position is located within the Domestic Relations Office division and investigates and protects the best interest of the children for whom the District Court appoints a Guardian Ad Litem. Appointments may occur by individual Court order or by the Local Rules of Civil Procedure in the following types of cases: terminations, adoptions, divorces, modifications, protective orders, suits affecting the parent‑child relationship, habeas corpus, paternity and other similar cases involving the care and custody of children.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is the second in a series of three guardian‑related job classifications within the Courts job family. This classification investigates and protects the best interest of the children for whom the District Court appoints a Guardian Ad Litem. Duties performed are initially of a moderately complex nature and type within the scope of Guardian Ad Litem duties and then advance to the fully functioning complex level of Guardian duties. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct forensic interviews and assessments of parents. Review legal documents and other forms of written or tangible items of evidence to be submitted by litigants at time of trial.
• Assess and advocate the best interest of the child for whom appointed in all aspects of the case, including all legal proceedings. Attend and participate in court hearings, depositions, mediations and any other activities associated with a Family Law matter to which a Guardian Ad Litem has been assigned. Appointments continue until the case is no longer active in the Court system or the Guardian is otherwise relieved by the Court.
• Interview the children and each individual that the Guardian considers likely to have significant knowledge of the children’s history and condition. Observe the children interacting at each home and at school and with any other individuals involved in the case in order to form an opinion for the Court in answering questions of conservatorship.
• Request and review school, medical and psychological records on parents and children. Recommend appropriate therapeutic intervention where indicated.
• Monitor participation and progress in recommended or court‑ordered parent education or counseling.
• Conduct and write social studies for non‑agency adoptions and other reports as directed by Court order.
• Set hearings when necessary to report to the Court, to request the appointment of an Attorney Ad Litem for the children, or to request dismissal from a case. File necessary motions, with the assistance of attorneys.
• Ensure that all required documentation is submitted prior to hearing of uncontested adoption or termination cases. Set disputed matters for pre‑trial. Provide written reports to the Court in adoptions, termination of parental rights suits and any other suit affecting the parent‑child relationship. Monitor compliance with Court orders prior to final hearing.
• Maintain contact with attorneys to facilitate investigation and settlement of cases. Participate in mediation and promote out‑of‑court resolution of issues whenever possible and in the children’s best interest.
• Attend all legal proceedings and provide recommendations and expert testimony to the Court.
• Provide public information on divorce, mental health, child development and co‑parenting topics to groups and individuals.
• Provide immediate service on an on‑call basis as Duty Guardian to the Court. Assist parents and/or attorneys who walk in with request for Guardian appointment or other divorce‑related issues. Refer litigants to appropriate community resources, including facilitation of drug testing.
• Maintain case files and computer records on each case.
• May assist in providing training of staff and may present department and general public training activities.
• Perform other job‑related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience

Master’s degree in one of the Social or Behavioral Sciences, Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Counseling AND three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in casework with children, family counseling or mediation.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements

• Valid Texas Driver’s License.

Preferred

• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC);
• Licensed Social Worker (LSW);
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge Of

• Family law and the District Court system.
• Conciliation and mediation concepts.
• Policies, practices, procedures, and legal terminology related to court system.
• Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations and guidelines.
• Psychological concepts of good behavior, social adjustment and emotional stability.
• Local social services, organizations and programs and the resources available.
• Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.
• Business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.
• May be required to develop knowledge of and adhere to federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information.

Skill In

• Assessing the medical, psychosocial and environmental status of clients.
• Negotiating, interviewing and investigating practices and techniques.
• Application of casework principles.
• Problem‑solving and decision‑making.
• Both verbal and written communication.

Ability To

• Accurately assess the present and future needs of a child, to present that child’s case and advocate their best interests in court as well as out of court for as long as the case is in the court system.
• Evaluate psychological and other professional reports.
• Research, compile, analyze, interpret and prepare a variety of reports and maintain legal concepts.
• Perform in a stressful environment while maintaining a professional manner.
• Manage time well, perform multiple tasks and organize diverse activities.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies, other County employees and officials, attorneys, children, judges and the general public.

Work Environment & Other Information

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 10‑50 pounds, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and basic office equipment. Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, repetitive motion, and squatting to perform the essential functions. Subject to client and customer contact.

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

Work Hours: 8 am - 5 pm, Monday‑Friday.

Location: Civil and Family Court Facility, 1700 Guadalupe St. Austin, TX. 78701

Department: Juvenile Probation

Criminal, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required.

For updates or questions on this position, contact: [e-mail]

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.