Volunteer Advocate Supervisor

HR Partners; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 38,700 - 47,300; Full time

Job summary

A community advocacy organization in Topeka is seeking a Volunteer Advocate Supervisor to oversee and support volunteer advocates in their cases involving abused and neglected children. This full-time position requires strong leadership skills, a commitment to child welfare, and the ability to conduct training and case management. Candidates should have a bachelor's degree in a relevant field, excellent communication skills, and experience in child welfare. The role involves a commitment to inclusivity and community engagement.

Qualifications

• Must be 21 years of age or older.
• Experience with foster care or child welfare agencies preferred.
• Ability to manage people and provide supervision.

Responsibilities

• Supervise volunteer advocates and manage casework.
• Attend hearings and maintain communication with stakeholders.
• Assist in volunteer retention activities and training.

Skills

Professional communication

Collaboration teamwork

Child welfare knowledge

Volunteer supervision

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social services, criminal justice or education-related field

Job description

Title: Volunteer Advocate Supervisor
Organization: CASA of Shawnee County
Job Classification: Non-Exempt, Full Time (40 hours/week)
Pay Range: From $43,000.00 per year
Reporting Relationship: Lead Advocate Supervisor
Location: On-site. Topeka, KS

Job Summary

The Volunteer Advocate Supervisor assumes responsibility for the supervision, case management, training, support and coordination of assigned volunteer advocates to ensure that abused and neglected children receive quality advocacy in court. The Advocate Supervisor serves as an ambassador of CASA of Shawnee County, Inc. assisting with building support for its mission. The Advocate Supervisor ensures that all national, state and local standards are adhered to.

Core Responsibilities

Case Management

• Supervises all casework and ensures assigned volunteer advocates are effectively advocating for children.
• Enters and maintains case files in Optima according to local and national program standards.
• Manages case progress from referral to closing.
• Files court reports and assures their proper distribution to appropriate parties.
• Attends all case-related hearings and tracks court dates.
• Initiates and maintains effective communication and collaboration with court, social services, law enforcement, schools and other agencies.
• Provides timely updates to Lead Advocate Supervisor of case concerns and special issues.
• Addresses concerns child safety and policy compliance with urgency.

Volunteer Management

• Provides timely notification of staffing, meetings and court hearings to advocates.
• Ensures the proper completion and submission of all advocate required reports, to include time/mileage/contact logs.
• Prepares volunteers for court and reviews court reports before court hearings. Assists volunteers with the preparation of court reports and other communications.
• Has case-related contact with advocates at least monthly to ensure that requirements are being met and that cases are progressing appropriately.
• Identify coaching opportunities to support effective advocacy.
• Provide written performance evaluations of volunteer advocates at case closure or annually for cases lasting longer than one year.
• Identifies barriers or issues affecting advocates’ ability to perform duties and actively seeks solution.
• Actively participates in volunteer retention activities by promoting and attending events and participating in ongoing recognition activities.
• Participate in the preparation and delivery of pre-service training.
• Maintains an up-to-date and compliant personnel file for each CASA volunteer.

Advocate Appointment

• Attends CINC hearings as directed for the purpose of reviewing new cases for assignment.
• Attend in-house case staff meetings to make recommendations and select and assign volunteers for case appointments.
• Prepare required documentation for appointment of advocates to individual cases.
• Notify all relevant parties of advocates’ assignments.

Programmatic Support

• Assists in the screening of volunteer applicants to include interviews, reference checks and other duties as assigned.
• Actively works to build and maintain positive relationships with community agencies and professionals and represents CASA of Shawnee County in the community.
• Always maintains confidentiality of case and volunteer information.
• Maintains positive working relationships with CASA staff, volunteers and Board of Directors.
• Complies with and supports all policies and procedures of CASA of Shawnee County CASA, Inc.
• Assists with and/or participates in fundraisers and presentations to groups.
• Leads and/or participates in committees that support the organization’s needs.
• Represent CASA of Shawnee County, Inc. at meetings/seminars/conferences as requested by the Executive Director.
• Completes timely reports as required.

Professional Qualifications

• Must be 21 years of age or older
• Bachelor’s degree in social services, criminal justice or education-related field, OR equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with the foster care system, Department of Children and Families or its contractors, Juvenile Court system, Court Appointed Special Advocates, or other child welfare agencies preferred.
• Experience providing staff or volunteer supervision and the ability to manage people.
• Professional demeanor in keeping with CASA’s standards.
• Professional communication and presentation skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as a team member.
• Availability for evening and weekend hours as needed.
• Commitment to serve all people, regardless of race, gender, age, socio-economic status, and sexual orientation.
• Must have daily reliable transportation, a current driver’s license and current auto insurance
• Ability to pass all required background screenings.

Additional Duties

Additional duties and responsibilities may be added to this job description at any time. The job description does not state or imply that these are the only activities to be performed by the employee holding this position. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related responsibilities as requested by their supervisor.

Equal Opportunity Employer

CASA of Shawnee County is an equal opportunity employer and values a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, or national origin.