CASA Legal Services Advisor (#768) - State of Maine Judicial Branch : Job Details

CASA LEGAL SERVICES ADVISORSTATE OF MAINE JUDICIAL BRANCHLOCATION: Capital Judicial Center, AugustaThe State of Maine Judicial Branch welcomes motivated team members to join us in serving the communities of Maine within the court system. The Judicial Branch plays a very important role in our communities by providing a safe, accessible, efficient, and impartial system of dispute resolution. Judicial Branch employees all support this mission, in their various roles. We have 31 courts across the state and process over 130,000 cases each year in support of Maine's almost 1.4 million residents.The Job:This is responsible administrative work, assisting, and supporting Maine CASA. The CASA Legal Services Advisor coordinates and supports the work of volunteer guardians ad litem of child protection cases and assists the GAL Services Coordinator, who also serves as the Maine CASA Program Specialist, in volunteer recruitment, training, and assessment. The CASA Legal Services advisor works within the children's guardian ad litem services area of the Family Division and assists with area and Division projects. The Guardian ad Litem Services Coordinator supervises the CASA Legal Services Advisor. Position is dependent upon grant funding. Substantial in-state travel is required.Salary Range: Grade 18, $81,099.20 - $105,539.20 AnnuallyWhat We Offer:At the Maine Judicial Branch, we value our employees, which is why we offer great benefits. In addition to competitive pay, we provide:

• Work-life balance: 13 paid holidays, 2+ weeks of vacation leave, and 12 paid sick days every year.
• Paid Parental Leave: 4 weeks
• Gym membership and childcare reimbursement programs
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program
• Health insurance coverage (85%-100% employer-paid for employee-only plan)
• Health insurance premium credit (5% decrease in employee premiums)
• Dental insurance (100% employer-paid for employee-only plan)
• Health and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Defined Benefit Pension plan contributions
• Voluntary deferred compensation (retirement savings 457 Plan)
• Up to $1000 Tuition Reimbursement each year
• Employer-paid life insurance (1x annual salary)
• Additional wellness benefits

Responsibilities:

• Provides direct oversight and case support for assigned Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) guardian ad litem (GAL's) and facilitates use of best practices in every CASA case.
• Maintains regular contact with each assigned CASA GAL.
• Trains CASA GAL's to understand the legal stage of the case and what is required of the CASA Gal's at each stage of a child protective case.
• Works with CASA GAL's to develop and use report formats appropriate for each stage of a child protective case.
• Reviews CASA GAL reports prior to court submission.
• Provides overview of court process and accompanies CASA GAL's to court appearances during orientation phase.
• Attends additional court hearings as assigned.
• Tracks court dates and reinforces CASA GAL responsibilities at each court appearance.
• Keeps accurate computer and paper case information for all cases.
• Maintains current resource information.
• Conducts CASA GAL assessments.
• Assists the CASA Program Specialist in assessing training needs and preparing both pre-and in-service training programs.
• Identifies areas in which CASA GAL's need additional support and/or training.
• Recruits, screens, interviews, and trains new qualified CASA GAL's as directed.
• Staffs the Maine CASA advisory Panel as directed.
• Assists with other projects within the outside of the Family Division.
• Develops drafts of grant proposals as directed.
• Develops proposals for recruitment strategies.
• Develops proposed retention plans.
• Monitors assigned pro bono attorneys.
• Monitors peer coordinators.
• Performs other duties as required.

We're Looking For:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college.
• Juris Doctor degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school.
• Member of the Main Bar or eligibility to become a member of the Maine Bar within 6 months.
• Direct child protection experience
• Familiarity with child protective custody laws and legal process, including case management.
• Experience in working with volunteers
• Familiarity with protective custody issues, including the dynamics of child abuse, trauma and neglect; educational, development, and therapeutic needs of children; reunification plans; and courtroom and legal process advocacy.
• Familiarity with Maine CASA.

How to Apply:Cover letter, resume, and online application must be submitted online at The Judicial Branch is an EEO/AA employer.