GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE, 18TH CIRCUIT- ATTORNEY -21020064

GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE, 18TH CIRCUIT- ATTORNEY -21020064 Date : Jul 21, 2024 Location : VIERA, FL, US, 32940;SANFORD, FL, US, 32773 Agency : Justice Administrative CommissionWorking Title : GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE, 18TH CIRCUIT- ATTORNEY -21020064 (This position has the ability to be flexible for a remotework schedule after successful onboarding.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATIONAND THE OPPORTUNITY The Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office isFlorida’s award-winning, state-funded child advocacy organizationthat provides independent legal representation to abused, abandonedand neglected children in Florida’s dependency court proceedings.

The Office upholds the highest standards of integrity, excellenceand zealous advocacy for the children it represents. Guardian adLitem Attorneys are assigned by the Office to represent children aspart of a multi-disciplinary team that includes a child welfareprofessional and hopefully a community volunteer or pro bonoattorney.

ABOUT THE WORK - This position has the ability to beflexible for a remote work schedule after successful onboarding. -Work is performed under the supervision of the Managing Attorney orhis or her designee.

• Guardian ad Litem Attorneys are assigned bythe Office to represent children and work as part of amulti-disciplinary team, representing each child with a focus ontimely achievement of permanency and normalcy for the child.
• Thework involves contact with people in stressful situations, and theincumbent must exercise discretion in dealing with confidential andextremely sensitive issues before the court.
• The incumbentreviews case files to identify legal issues, conducts anindependent investigation of the facts of the case, researches anddevelops legal strategies for the cases, files pleadings, andmotions, and attends court proceedings including, but not limitedto, hearings, depositions, and mediations, and meets with Guardianad Litem staff, witnesses, collateral contacts pertinent to thecase, and the children represented by the Office.
• The Attorneyrepresents, advocates, and negotiates for the assigned childreninside and outside the courtroom. - Incumbents in this class reportdirectly to the Managing Attorney of their assigned Circuit for allactivities related to the practice of law;

and also works under theoperational and administrative supervision of the Circuit Director.ABOUT THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES - Possession of legalskills and knowledge sufficient to represent the children appointedto the Office as evidenced by admission to The Florida Bar.

Abilityto advocate effectively in court on behalf of the child. -Knowledge of juvenile law, including relevant rules of procedureand evidence, and guardian ad litem legal representation forchildren.

Ability to communicate effectively and deal tactfullywith individuals involved in litigation and stressful situations.

Ability to work with individuals from culturally and economicallydiverse backgrounds. - Ability to utilize a personal computer,including software programs such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, andOutlook.

ABOUT THE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS - A validFlorida Driver’s License is required. - Graduation from anaccredited law school, membership in the Florida Bar.

Candidatesmay be considered pending admission if granted by the ExecutiveDirector or their designee. - An exception for the requiredexperience may be granted by the Executive Director or hisdesignee.

The State of Florida is an Equal OpportunityEmployer / Affirmative Action Employer, and does not toleratediscrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring areasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans withDisabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and / orPeople First Service Center (1-866-663-4735).

Notification to thehiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient timeto provide the accommodation. The State of Florida supports aDrug-Free workplace.

All employees are subject to reasonablesuspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S.,Drug-Free Workplace Act. #J-18808-Ljbffr