JOB
Pay Range: $30.70 - $38.94 per hour (AFSCME-87P Pay Plan, C41 Step 1-13)
Hiring Range: $30.70 - $32.58 per hour (AFSCME 87P Pay Plan, C41 Step 1-4 DOQ)
Job Closing Date: May 23, 2024
There are two Program Coordinator II (Guardian Ad Litem) openings with the Yakima County Juvenile Court Department. This position is responsible for acting as Guardian ad Litem (GAL) for the best interest of abused and neglected children involved in the court system. Duties include investigating, facilitating, monitoring, and advocating for the best interest of children, in partnership with other parties to cases in a court involved system. Acts as Volunteer CHILD ADVOCATE supervisor to recruit, train, mentor and monitor community volunteers who fulfill the GAL role.

• Resume and Cover Letter is required as part of your application to be further considered for the Program Coordinator II position*

Apply here: https://yakimacounty.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/YakimaCountyWA/details/Program-Coordinator-II_R2140 before the closing date on the job posting to be considered for the position
Benefits included in position:

• Health Care Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life and Basic LTD)
• Retirement Benefits
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave

Note: This is an AFSCME-87P Juvenile Contract Bargaining Unit Position.
Essential Duties:
Responsible for recruiting, training, evaluating and supervising private citizen volunteers who advocate on behalf of abused and neglected children. Develops curriculum, coordinates speakers and facilitates trainings.
Participates in court hearings as an equal party; drafts and prepares written reports, testifies in court and presents documentation as requested; provides information and recommendations to attorneys and judges; prepares and presents recommendations to the Court.
Conducts impartial and independent interviews on site and in home; observes children and all other significant people involved in the child’s life; reviews written material for cases to prepare for court hearings; conducts investigations into the welfare of minor children in cases involving dependency issues; documents case progress by preparing case notes; maintains files and documentation.
Facilitates staffing and other meetings to encourage team focus on behalf of a child, including the use of mediation; provides administrative and technical assistance to volunteers; submits regular reports including statistical and evaluative data; coordinates activities with outside parties including parents, law enforcement and schools to provide and receive information and to clarify policies and court orders; receives information regarding referrals and case management and acts as an advocate for juveniles.
Acts as liaison between program, community, courts and agencies; speaks to community organizations on behalf of the Yakima County Child Advocate Program, YCCAP) to include fund raising campaigns.
Performs other duties as assigned such as writing or assisting in the writing of grants for Yakima Child Advocate Program and/or other Juvenile Court programs, making presentations in staff meetings, participating as a department committee member, etc.
Education and Experience:
Associate Degree or two year technical certificate in Sociology, Social Work, Psychology, or Criminal Justice/Law & Justice AND 2 years counseling, case work and interviewing experience required; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.
Required:
Valid Washington State Driver’s License and proof of insurance, if requested, at time of appointment.
Successful completion of Administrative Office of Courts (AOC) mandated training upon appointment.
Applicants selected for final interviews are required to complete a criminal and abuse/exploitation history disclosure statement pursuant to Chapter 486 laws of 87, Sections 1-5. Criminal arrest history or history of traffic offenses may be disqualifying. Final applicant will be fingerprinted and hired subject to the results of a background investigation.
Preferred:
Three years counseling, case work and interviewing experience.
Experience working with family dynamics, child welfare, courtroom experience, chemical dependency, family crisis, and domestic violence, victims of crime, abuse/neglect.
Experience in public speaking, coordinating, and facilitating meetings, recruiting volunteers, conducting formal, curriculum-based group training.
Bilingual / bi literate in English/Spanish
Communication Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Training
Equipment Used: Telephone, Copy machine, Voice Mail, Personal Computer/laptop, Microsoft Office Software, vehicle and other general office equipment.
Working Conditions: This position is rated as Sedentary Work, exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.
Environment: travel and field work.
Physical Demands: bending, carrying, handling, sitting, standing, walking, fingering, hearing, talking, and visual acuity.
Intellectual Demands: Ability to multitask, Confidentiality, Ability to work under pressure, Ability to articulate and communicate information in conversations, Ability to follow written and verbal instruction, and Ability to work outside of regular business hours, travel to other work locations and client homes as needed. May be exposed to hostile clients and domestic situations.
Knowledge:
At entry: Public speaking techniques; group meeting and training facilitation; training models and techniques; project planning methods and techniques; effective interviewing and investigation techniques and methods; social and family dynamics theories; fund raising techniques; volunteer recruitment techniques, customer service and team building concepts; courtroom protocol and procedures; laws pertaining to dependency court.
The job requires the following for full performance:
Effective public speaking: how to evaluate an audience and prepare for a presentation.
How to attract and excite people; how to sell ideas; how to personalize the duties of a CHILD ADVOCATE so that people identify.
How to plan training; how to select and coordinate presenters; how to employ methods that educate adults; how to facilitate discussions; how to make training interactive and involve participants.
How to communicate with diverse individuals; how to assess training needs and address them; how to write effectively and teach others how to write; how to approach individuals sensitively to correct behavior; how to evaluate performance; how to manage conflict; how to redirect volunteers; how to reward volunteers; how to instill confidence in volunteers; how to foster teamwork among staff and volunteers.
How to plan a project; how to facilitate a team approach in project design; how to write effectively; how to structure language for the reading audience; how to find corporate and public moneys; how to “give them what they want”.
How to be assertive; how to articulate on the spot; how to assess a witness; courtroom protocol; how to testify; a good understanding of law pertaining to dependency court; how to cross-examine a witness.
How to assess a child or parent’s perspective and emotional condition, using a strength-based lens; how to interview; ability to write clear, objective & professional reports; how to investigate family situations.
How to find, plan and support a fund raiser; how to assess political climate; how to find resources; how to be creative in soliciting funds.
How to facilitate group discussions; how to motivate people; how to organize an event for many people; how to take cultural differences into account; how to plan an agenda; how to mediate.
Skills and abilities:
Skills in: group presentation, computer operation including word and excel programs; report writing, interpersonal communication; time management, decision making; establishing and maintaining effective interpersonal relationships with staff, other agencies, attorneys and the public; counseling and interviewing.