Travis County
GUARDIAN AD LITEM I
Travis County, Houston, Texas, United States,
Investigates and protects the best interest of the children for whom the District Court appoints a Guardian Ad Litem. Appointments may occur by individual Court order or by the Local Rules of Civil Procedure in the following types of cases: terminations, adoptions, divorces, modifications, protective orders, suits affecting the parent-child relationship, habeas corpus, paternity and other similar cases involving the care and custody of children.Distinguishing Characteristics:
This is the first in a series of three guardian-related job classifications within the Courts job family. This classification investigates and protects the best interest of the children for whom the District Court appoints a Guardian Ad Litem. Duties performed are initially of a minimally complex nature and type within the scope of Guardian Ad Litem duties and then advance to a more complex level of Guardian duties. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.Responsibilities:
Conduct child custody evaluations and limited duty investigations for Family Law Court, making recommendations that are in the best interest of the child and affect the parent/child relationship.Interview parents, children, and collaterals, and communicate with professionals, including therapists and attorneys, and assess home environments and parent/child relationships.Request, review, evaluate/assess confidential and sensitive information, such as psychological records, child protective services records and law enforcement records.Write court reports, prepare for and testify in court hearings as well as attend and participate in mediations.Provide high level case management/casework services to families.Perform other job-related duties as assigned.Education and Experience:
Master's degree in one of the Social or Behavioral Sciences, Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Counseling or Education AND two (2) years of increasingly responsible experience in casework with children, family counseling or mediation.Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
Valid Texas Driver's License.Preferred:
Spanish Speaking Preferred.Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of:
Family law and the District Court system.Conciliation and mediation concepts.Policies, practices, procedures, and legal terminology related to court system.Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations and guidelines.Psychological concepts of good behavior, social adjustment and emotional stability.Local social services, organizations and programs and the resources available.Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.Business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.May be required to develop knowledge of and adhere to federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information.Skill in:
Assessing the medical, psychosocial and environmental status of clients.Negotiating, interviewing and investigating practices and techniques.Application of casework principles.Problem-solving and decision-making.Both verbal and written communication.Ability to:
Accurately assess the present and future needs of a child, to present that child's case and advocate their best interests in court as well as out of court for as long as the case is in the court system.Evaluate psychological and other professional reports.Research, compile, analyze, interpret and prepare a variety of reports and maintain legal concepts.Perform in a stressful environment while maintaining a professional manner.Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies, other County employees and officials, attorneys, children, judges and the general public.Physical Requirements:
Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 10-50 pounds, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and basic office equipment. Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, repetitive motion, and squatting to perform the essential functions. Subject to client and customer contact.Additional Information:
Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.You must ensure your application accurately reflects your skills and abilities as they relate to the position. Only periods of employment and experience detailed in the "Work Experience" section of the application will be considered in determining which applicants move forward in the selection process, as well as determining pay level for candidate(s) recommended for hire.Work Hours:
Some Nights and WeekendsDepartment:
Juvenile ProbationLocation:
1700 Guadalupe St. 5th Floor Austin, TX 78701Testing Requirements:
Drug Test, Alcohol Test, and Psychological Exam Required. Criminal, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required.This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.
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This is the first in a series of three guardian-related job classifications within the Courts job family. This classification investigates and protects the best interest of the children for whom the District Court appoints a Guardian Ad Litem. Duties performed are initially of a minimally complex nature and type within the scope of Guardian Ad Litem duties and then advance to a more complex level of Guardian duties. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.Responsibilities:
Conduct child custody evaluations and limited duty investigations for Family Law Court, making recommendations that are in the best interest of the child and affect the parent/child relationship.Interview parents, children, and collaterals, and communicate with professionals, including therapists and attorneys, and assess home environments and parent/child relationships.Request, review, evaluate/assess confidential and sensitive information, such as psychological records, child protective services records and law enforcement records.Write court reports, prepare for and testify in court hearings as well as attend and participate in mediations.Provide high level case management/casework services to families.Perform other job-related duties as assigned.Education and Experience:
Master's degree in one of the Social or Behavioral Sciences, Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Counseling or Education AND two (2) years of increasingly responsible experience in casework with children, family counseling or mediation.Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
Valid Texas Driver's License.Preferred:
Spanish Speaking Preferred.Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of:
Family law and the District Court system.Conciliation and mediation concepts.Policies, practices, procedures, and legal terminology related to court system.Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations and guidelines.Psychological concepts of good behavior, social adjustment and emotional stability.Local social services, organizations and programs and the resources available.Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.Business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.May be required to develop knowledge of and adhere to federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information.Skill in:
Assessing the medical, psychosocial and environmental status of clients.Negotiating, interviewing and investigating practices and techniques.Application of casework principles.Problem-solving and decision-making.Both verbal and written communication.Ability to:
Accurately assess the present and future needs of a child, to present that child's case and advocate their best interests in court as well as out of court for as long as the case is in the court system.Evaluate psychological and other professional reports.Research, compile, analyze, interpret and prepare a variety of reports and maintain legal concepts.Perform in a stressful environment while maintaining a professional manner.Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies, other County employees and officials, attorneys, children, judges and the general public.Physical Requirements:
Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 10-50 pounds, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and basic office equipment. Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, repetitive motion, and squatting to perform the essential functions. Subject to client and customer contact.Additional Information:
Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.You must ensure your application accurately reflects your skills and abilities as they relate to the position. Only periods of employment and experience detailed in the "Work Experience" section of the application will be considered in determining which applicants move forward in the selection process, as well as determining pay level for candidate(s) recommended for hire.Work Hours:
Some Nights and WeekendsDepartment:
Juvenile ProbationLocation:
1700 Guadalupe St. 5th Floor Austin, TX 78701Testing Requirements:
Drug Test, Alcohol Test, and Psychological Exam Required. Criminal, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required.This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.
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