GUARDIAN AS LITEM OFFICE, 1ST CIRCUIT- SENIOR CHILD ADVOCATE MANAGER - 21015847

State of Florida; Pensacola (FL); On-site; USD 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in Florida seeks a Senior Child Advocate Manager to oversee child advocacy efforts in dependency court proceedings. This role requires expertise in child welfare, strong leadership, and organizational skills. The ideal candidate will supervise a team, collaborate with various agencies, and provide critical advocacy for children. Benefits include health insurance options, retirement plans, and opportunities for professional growth, ensuring competitive compensation and job satisfaction.

Benefits

Health insurance options

State retirement package

Paid leave and holidays

Flexible spending account

Life insurance

Qualifications

• Must possess a valid Florida Driver’s License.
• Experience in program focusing on child welfare or social service.
• 3 years of experience supervising volunteers desired.

Responsibilities

• Supervise a team of child advocate managers and volunteers.
• Collaborate with various stakeholders including attorneys and law enforcement.
• Prepare reports to the court based on case information.

Skills

Leadership skills

Child welfare knowledge

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in sociology, social work, psychology, or related field

Job description

Requisition No:862188

Agency: Justice Administrative Commission

Working Title: GUARDIAN AS LITEM OFFICE, 1ST CIRCUIT- SENIOR CHILD ADVOCATE MANAGER - 21015847

Pay Plan: Justice Admin Comm.

Position Number:21015847

Salary: $45,376.03

Posting Closing Date: 01/05/2026

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

STATEWIDE GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE

CHILD ADVOCATE MANAGER SUPERVISOR

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 ESCAMBIA COUNTY for the job location

OR

• Email your mini application and resume directly to [e-mail]

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION AND THE OPPORTUNITY

The Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office is Florida’s award-winning, state-funded child advocacy 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 which is comprised of a guardian ad litem attorney, a child welfare professional, and hopefully a community volunteer or pro bono attorney, to represent each child the Office is court appointed to. The Senior Child Advocate Manager may also supervise a team of child advocate managers and volunteers. More information about 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 full-time employee, your insurance rate will be significantly low due to the contribution of the State of Florida. In fact, single coverage is as low as $50 per month, with family coverage costing only $180 per month.

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

BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR THE GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE

• 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
• 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
• Life insurance of $25,000 is provided by the state at no cost to you for all FTE positions. Employees may purchase additional coverage
• 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
• No mandatory night/weekend/holiday scheduled work

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

The Child Advocate Manager Supervisor position offers an extremely interesting and challenging opportunity for supervisory job‑seekers engaged in a career of social work and family service. This is a highly independent, responsible position focused on achieving the Guardian ad Litem Office’s primary mission: to represent every child under the jurisdiction of Florida’s dependency courts. This position works on a multi‑disciplinary team that may include trained child advocate managers, volunteers, pro bono attorneys and staff attorneys to provide the highest quality community advocacy and legal representation to protect each child’s rights and best interests. It provides a great venue for increased professional growth and personal development. The daily working environment is dynamic, fast‑paced, intellectually and emotionally challenging and satisfying!

ABOUT THE WORK

The Child Advocate Manager Supervisor position encompasses a broad range of supervisory, consultative, administrative, advocacy and leadership activities. The Child Advocate Manager Supervisor may also supervise a team of child advocate managers and volunteers. Some examples of a “typical” working day may include the following:

• Collaborate with the Guardian ad Litem multidisciplinary team, management, Department of Children and Families, contracted service providers, Department of Juvenile Justice, Department of Education, Law Enforcement, etc.
• Supervising a unit of Guardian ad Litem Office employees which may include Guardian ad Litem child advocate volunteers and child advocate managers
• Reviewing the work of subordinates and guiding case decisions and recommendations to the court
• Preparing reports to the court based on personal knowledge or reports from volunteers, staff and advocacy team members
• Tracking compliance of subordinate staff with deadlines and training requirements
• Reporting to circuit leadership on progress, issues and solutions
• Administering policies and procedures of the Guardian ad Litem Office
• Gathering and documenting pertinent case information
• Providing best interests advocacy recommendations to the Guardian ad Litem multidisciplinary team, to the court and to our child welfare partners
• Attending internal and external case‑related court hearings, depositions, case plan conferences, dependency mediations, staffings and meetings
• Visiting and contacting assigned children, parents, caregivers, schools and service providers utilizing the organization’s database and reporting systems
• Participating in internal and external trainings, meetings and conferences
• Conducting or participating in activities to recruit volunteers, including training of volunteers
• Training and mentoring subordinate staff

ABOUT THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

The following are desirable knowledge, skills, abilities and traits for prospective Child Advocate Manager Supervisor position candidates:

• Self‑motivated and achievement oriented
• Demonstrated leadership skills and supervisory experience or potential
• Strong desire to learn and pursue personal development
• Ability 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
• 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 staff and 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

ABOUT THE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

The following are education and experience requirements for prospective Child Advocate Manager Supervisor 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 is preferred but prior experience will be considered to meet the degree requirement. Experience could include time as Child Protective Investigator, Dependency Case Manager, Juvenile Probation Officer, Law Enforcement, Military, Educators or other professional experiences working with children and families.
• 3 years of experience in a program focusing on child welfare, social service, counseling, teaching, managing people or supervising volunteers is desired but not required
• All individuals hired after February 1, 2020, must obtain a Child Advocate Manager Certification offered by the Florida Certification Board within 12 months of hire date.
• Maintain certification as a Child Advocate Manager during duration of employment. Agency pays certification costs.

(Please note: An exception for the required education and experience may be granted by the Executive Director or designee.)

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.

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.