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Job description
GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE, 10TH CIRCUIT- CHILD ADVOCATE MANAGER -
nDate: Sep 29, 2026
nThe State Personnel System is an E-Verify employer. For more information click on our E-Verify Website ( .
nRequisition No:
nAgency: Justice Administrative Commission
nWorking Title: GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE, 10TH CIRCUIT- CHILD ADVOCATE MANAGER -
nPay Plan: Justice Admin Comm.
nPosition Number:
nSalary: $43,612.34
nPosting Closing Date: 09/30/2026
nTotal Compensation Estimator Tool (
nSTATEWIDE GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE
nGUARDIAN AD LITEM CHILD ADVOCATE MANAGER
nIMPORTANT! – Please navigate to the following website: apply for this position:
nnnClick on the“Career Opportunities”icon.
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nnScroll down to the link,“Submit Your Guardian ad Litem Office Employment Application Here.”
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nnComplete the “mini” job application andattach your current resume.
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nnSelectPOLK COUNTYfor the job location
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n nOR
nnEmail your mini application and resume directly
n nABOUT THE ORGANIZATION AND THE OPPORTUNITY
nThe Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office is Florida’s award-winning, state-funded child advocacy organization that provides independent legal representation to abused, abandoned and neglected children in Florida’s dependency court proceedings. The Office upholds the highest standards of integrity, excellence and child centered representation. The Office assigns a multi-disciplinary team which is comprised of a guardian ad litem attorney, a child welfare professional, and hopefully a community volunteer or pro bono attorney, to represent each child the Office is court appointed to. The Child Advocate Manager serves as the child welfare professional on the multi-disciplinary team and is responsible for overseeing a team of guardian ad litem volunteers for which they assign to serve on individual cases. More information about the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office can be found at
nAs an employee with the State of Florida, your benefits are a significant part of your compensation with 19 percent of your total compensation coming from the benefits that the State offers. As a full-time employee, your insurance rate will be significantly low due to the contribution of the State of Florida. In fact, single coverage is as low as $50 per month, with family coverage costing only $180 per month.
nWhile the rates are higher for half-time employees, health insurance options are still available if you are in a salaried position.
nBENEFITS OF WORKING FOR THE GUARDIAN AD LITEM OFFICE:
nnnState of Florida Retirement package – Pension or Investment plan (3% employee contribution required)
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nnState group insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options
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nnFlexible spending account
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nnNine paid state holidays each calendar year
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nnOne paid personal holiday each fiscal year
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nn13 paid sick leave days accrued within the calendar year
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nn13 paid annual leave days accrued within the calendar year with an increase after five years
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nnLife insurance of $25,000 is provided by the state at no cost to you for all FTE positions. Employees may purchase additional coverage
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nnPublic Loan Forgiveness Program
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nnState tuition waivers
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nnChild Advocate Manager training and professional certification with the Florida Certification Board
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nnNo State of Florida income tax for residents of Florida
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nnNo mandatory night/weekend/holiday scheduled shifts
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n nABOUT THE WORK
nThe Child Advocate Manager position encompasses a broad range of consultative, administrative and advocacy activities. The Child Advocate Manager may also supervise a group of Guardian Ad Litem Office Child Advocate volunteers. Some examples of a “typical” working day may include the following:
nnnCollaborate with the Guardian ad Litem Office multidisciplinary team, management, Department of Children and Families, contracted service providers, Department of Juvenile Justice, Department of Education, Law Enforcement, etc.
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nnOverseeing the work of Guardian ad Litem Office volunteers.
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nnGathering and documenting independent pertinent case information.
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nnProviding best interests advocacy recommendations to the Guardian ad Litem Office multidisciplinary team, to the court and to our child welfare partners.
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nnPreparing written reports to the court.
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nnProvide testimony to the court.
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nnAttending internal and external case-related court hearings, depositions, case plan conferences, dependency mediations, staffing’s and meetings.
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nnVisiting and contacting assigned children, parents, caregivers, schools and service providers.
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nnUtilizing the organization’s database and reporting systems.
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nnParticipating in internal and external training, meetings and conferences.
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n nABOUT THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
nThe following are desirable knowledge, skills, abilities and traits for prospective Child Advocate Manager position candidates:
nnnSelf-motivated and achievement oriented.
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nnStrong desire to learn and pursue personal development.
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nnAbility to take direction and work as part of a team.
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nnAbility to effectively interact with and/or influence people of diverse backgrounds.
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nnAbility to exercise discretion, respect privacy and maintain confidentiality.
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nnStrong organizational/time management skills and ability to meet deadlines.
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nnExcellent oral, written and computer literacy skills.
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nnAble to maintain a professional and effective demeanor in emotional or traumatic situations.
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nnAbility to coach, instruct and motivate volunteers.
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nnKnowledge of case management, social support services and concepts of child development.
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nnKnowledge of the dynamics of child abuse, domestic violence, substance abuse and mental health.
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nnKnowledge of the Florida State Courts System.
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nnKnowledge of Florida Statutes relating to child welfare and protection.
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n nABOUT THE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
nThe following are education and experience requirements for prospective Child Advocate Manager position candidates:
nnnMust possess a valid Florida Driver’s License.
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nnBachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in sociology, social work, psychology, child development, education, juvenile justice, communications, or a related social science is preferred but prior experience will be considered to meet the degree requirement. Experience could include time as Child Protective Investigator, Dependency Case Manager, Juvenile Probation Officer, Law Enforcement, Military, Educators, or other professional experiences working with children and families.
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nnTwo years of experience in a program focusing on child welfare, social service, counseling, teaching, managing people or supervising volunteers is desired but not required.
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nnExperience with critical decision making, planning, organizing, coaching, leading, or supervising will be helpful to a successful candidate.
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nnAll individuals hired after February 1, 2020, must be able to obtain a Child Advocate Manager Certification offered by the Florida Certification Board within 12 months of hire date.
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nnMaintain Child Advocate Manager certification during the duration of employment. Agency pays costs of certification.
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n n(Please note: The Executive Director or designee may grant an exception for the required education and experience.)
nIf you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS at on how your current benefits may be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.
nCandidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center ( ). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.
nThe State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section , F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.
nLocation:
nBARTOW, FL, US, 33830
nNearest Major Market:Lakeland
Worksite address
bartow, FL, 33830, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.