Court Appointed Special Advocates(CASA)Program Associate, Project

This is a reinstatement, transfer or voluntary demotion opportunity for current and former regularly appointed employees of Alameda County.

Reinstatement:
Pursuant to Civil Service Rule 1744: On the request of a department head and approval of the Commission, a regularly appointed employee who resigned in good standing may, within three years after the effective date of his/her resignation, be reinstated in a position in the class from which he/she resigned or in a position in another class for which he/she may be eligible as determined by the Commission. Appointments by reinstatement following resignation are subject to the probationary period established for the class. You must have been a classified County employee in the same job code or in a job code at the same salary maximum and left the County in good standing. In addition, you must meet the minimum and special qualifications of the specific position.

Transfer:
You must be a current County classified employee in the same job code or in a job code with the same salary maximum for which you are applying. In addition, you must meet the minimum and special qualifications of the specific position.

Voluntary Demotion:
You must be a current County classified employee in a job code which is at a higher salary maximum than the vacancy for which you are applying. In addition, you must meet the minimum and special qualifications of the specific position.

THE AGENCY

Alameda County's Health Services Program is administered by Alameda County Health and includes the following program areas: Behavioral Health Care, Public Health, Environmental Health, and Agency Administration/Indigent Health. The ultimate mission of Alameda County Health is to provide fully integrated health care services through a comprehensive network of public and private partnerships that ensure optimal health and well-being and respect the diversity of all residents. Alameda County Health currently has multiple career opportunities for experienced professionals to become part of a service delivery team dedicated to the optimal health and well being of Alameda County residents.

THE POSITION

Under general supervision, recruits, trains, coaches, coordinates, supports, monitors, and oversees the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers who research the circumstances of abused and neglected minors and non-minors in the foster care/juvenile court system; reports findings to the court and serves as advocates in the court and community for the best interest of the children/youth/non-minor dependents; holds volunteers’ accountable for performing activities in compliance with court-ordered services; collaborates with County agencies, community organizations and service providers; and performs related work as required.  

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES  

These positions are located in the Health Care Services Agency, CASA Program and report to the CASA Program Manager or CASA Program Administrator. Incumbents provide recruitment of, training, resources, guidance and support to the CASA volunteers to maximize their roles as 1) advocates for children in the foster care/juvenile court system, or 2) volunteer peer coordinators of other CASA volunteers. These positions are responsible for the administrative case management of open court cases, overseeing the preparation of written court reports provided to judicial officers and attending juvenile court hearings.

Education:

Equivalent of 90 quarter or 60 semester units from an accredited college or university with major coursework in social welfare, social/human services, public health, sociology, psychology, clinical psychology, counseling or other behavioral sciences.  

AND

Experience:

The equivalent of three (3) years of full-time social services care coordinator experience in a public, private or nonprofit human services agency specializing in children, youth and family services.  

Substitution:  

Possession of a bachelor’s degree (180 quarter units or 120 semester units) from an accredited college or university with major coursework in social welfare, social/human services, public health, sociology, psychology, clinical psychology, counseling or other behavioral sciences may substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.                

License:

Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.  

NOTE:    The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Roles and responsibilities of Court Appointed Special Advocates program and volunteers.
• State and federal laws and regulations governing child welfare, juvenile court, and foster care systems.
• Foster Youth Bill of Rights.
• Practices and techniques of how to advocate for the best interest of the children/youth/non-minor dependents.
• Training and group presentation technique.
• Community recruitment resources and networking avenues.
• Available community services and resources for children, transition-age youth and young adults and families.
• Function and role of the child welfare, juvenile court, and foster care systems.
• Educational development and emancipation services.
• Children’s physical and mental health development.
• Community Care Licensing Practices.
• Basic social needs problems, attitudes and behavioral patterns.
• Community structure and dynamics, and methods of facilitation.
• Issues and dynamics of families in crisis.
• Computer applications related to the work.
• Office administrative practices and procedures, including records management, navigating and utilizing the internet, data collection and reporting, and operation of standard office equipment.

Ability to:

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with volunteers, children and families, staff, community groups/agencies and the general public.
• Facilitate and model effective written and oral communication with attention to linguistic preferences and cultural proficiency.
• Represent the best interest of children in court hearings and in the community.
• Obtain and maintain accurate case information and documentation.
• Recruit, train, guide, coach and monitor activities of volunteers.
• Research, analyze and evaluate program.
• Work independently and collaboratively.
• Facilitate and problem solve.
• Exercise good judgment and make sound decisions.
• Adapt to a changing environment.
• Plan, organize and prioritize work.
• Demonstrate interpersonal sensitivity to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

THE VACANCY: 

Case Supervisor

Please submit a PDF of your updated Alameda County application to Gladys Villanueva-Parmelee at GVillanueva-Parmelee@acgov.org.  Please be in contact if you have any questions.

You are encouraged to apply immediately as this posting is open until filled and may close at anytime.

Alameda County is an Equal Opportunity Employer