Volunteer Coordinator - CASA - RPT PAT III

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Tippecanoe County provides reasonable accommodation to qualified employees and applicants with known disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application process or perform essential functions of the job, unless the accommodation would cause an undue hardship.

Incumbent serves as Volunteer Coordinator for the Tippecanoe County CASA Program, responsible for direct supervision of CASA volunteers in providing sound advocacy and permanency planning for victims of child abuse and neglect, supervising volunteers, and coordinating cases.

DUTIES:

• Supervises CASA volunteers in the advocacy of abused and neglected children. Conducts volunteer performance evaluations as assigned. Completes work time sheets.
• Reviews new cases and assigns to appropriate volunteers in coordination with Program Director. Assists volunteers in the development of initial case plans and on-going case strategies and ensures proper preparation, completion, distribution, and filing of volunteer court reports. Ensures that volunteers are visiting assigned children frequently.
• Plans and implements training programs for volunteers, including maintaining documentation related to training programs. Participates in continuing education programs to keep abreast of new services, changes to law, standards for CASA volunteers, and best practices.
• Enters case data into COMET (CASA Outcome Measurement and Evaluation Tool) and maintains database. Utilizes Superior Court 3 database (QUEST) and CourtView to research information and dates for cases, document details related to assigned cases and maintain an accurate schedule for case conferences and court hearings on assigned cases.
• Communicates with Superior Court 3 staff regarding discrepancies in QUEST and CASA case information.
• Assists CASA volunteers with completion of volunteer and case statistics reports.
• Assists with newsletter and program events as requested by Program Director, such as volunteer appreciation and recognition activities and events.
• Maintains case files, pulls calendar for hearings and case conferences, and copies files for attorneys and volunteers as they are assigned. Processes incoming mail to be filed and sends to volunteers.
• Communicates with various service providers and case managers on a daily basis.
• Attends staff meetings and in-service training and assists in evaluation of the Program as requested.
• Attends court hearings and periodically testifies in legal proceedings/court as required.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

I. JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Baccalaureate Degree in social service related area or equivalent combination of education and experience. Completion of, or ability to complete, national CASA training curriculum.
• Previous related experience in child advocacy, child welfare, and/or child focused social issues and knowledge and understanding of issues and dynamics within families in crisis relating to child abuse and neglect preferred.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Ability to comply with the training and certification standards of Tippecanoe CASA, the Indiana Office of GAL/CASA, and National CASA including completion of the 12 hour GAL/CASA administrative training and 12 hours of continuing training each year as approved by the Indiana Office of GAL/CASA.
• Ability to gain working knowledge of Indiana CHINS Deskbook, Indiana Code references and annotations, Indiana Sexual Offenders Registry, National CASA Associations standards/policies and procedures, QUEST software and CASA Outcome Management and Evaluation Tool software.
• Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling and punctuation, and ability to prepare various documents and present public speaking presentations as assigned.
• Ability to supervise and assist CASA volunteers in the advocacy of abused and neglected children, including providing training and evaluating performance.
• Ability to properly operate various office equipment, including computer, calculator, fax machine, copier, and telephone.
• Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentially of department information and records according to state requirements.
• Ability to understand, memorize, retain, and carry out written or oral instructions and present findings in oral or written form.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other County departments, court personnel, Indiana Supreme Advisory Commission, community service providers, law firms, community churches, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities and disabilities.
• Ability to comply with all employer and department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.
• Ability to compare or observe similarities and differences between data, people or things and apply knowledge to people and/or location.
• Ability to work alone with minimum supervision and with others in a team environment.
• Ability to work rapidly for long periods, work on several tasks at the same time, and complete assignments effectively amidst frequent distractions and interruptions.
• Ability to work with potentially irate or hostile persons, including ability to ensure protection of self and others.
• Ability to occasionally work extended, evening, and/or weekend hours, and occasionally travel out of town for visits with children who are placed out of the county.
• Ability to occasionally to respond to emergencies on a 24-hour basis from an off-duty status.
• Ability to attend court hearings and occasionally testify in legal proceedings/court as required.
• Possession of a valid driver's license and demonstrated safe driving record.

II. DIFFICULTY OF WORK:

Incumbent performs tasks according to standard operating procedures or policy and procedural manuals, with priorities determined by supervisor, court schedule, and service needs of clients. Decisions are always determined by specific instructions or existing, well established policies and procedures.

III. RESPONSIBILITY:

Incumbent supervises and assists with CASA program and CASA volunteers, with work periodically reviewed upon completion for compliance with legal requirements and attainment of objectives. Errors in decisions or work are prevented through instructions from supervisor and legally defined procedures. Undetected errors may result in endangerment to clients or adverse legal decisions.

IV. PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

Incumbent maintains communication with co-workers, other County departments, court personnel, Indiana Supreme Advisory Commission, community service providers, law firms, community churches, and the public for the purpose of exchanging information, providing services, and supervising volunteers.

Incumbent reports directly to Executive Director.

V. PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Incumbent performs a majority of duties in a standard office and periodically performs duties in a courtroom, involving sitting/walking at will, sitting for long periods, lifting objects weighing less than 25 pounds, hearing sounds/communication, and speaking clearly. Incumbent may be exposed to disturbing evidence and distraught individuals and work in confined areas. Incumbent occasionally works extended, evening, and/or weekend hours, and occasionally travels out of town for visits with children who are placed out of the county. Incumbent may occasionally respond to emergencies on a 24-hour basis from an off-duty status.